@Huronbase There should never be utility charges if there are animals to care for. They would not leave the pets alone in a freezing, or too hot, situation so why should you, the sitter, be uncomfortable?
If it is a long sit 2/3+ months with no animals or duties then possibly something could be negotiated. But personally I would not apply for any sit where charges were made.
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Totally a step too far, agree! and not considerate to these sitters at all for hosts that choose to charge this.
I do think THS should be held responsible to help for the more difficult and unbalanced sits and problems on here they can always do better. Perhaps they need like to advertise a sit difficulty rating, and then encourage these hosts to offer perks (food & travel) in return for a harder sit, like puppies for example or sits that are very remote in the countryside or require long drives to walk dogs. Or a simple reminder to hosts with the cleaning check list before the sit āhave you asked if thereās anything extra you need to provide for your sitter so they can have a comfortable stay?ā
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I did a sit in FL in an RV and the people in the RV park were amazed that I was so diligent in the puppies care. I couldnāt go anywhere, these puppies had to go out every 4 hours ā that was the owners instructions. But I was new and needed some good reviews. But it was a lot of work. I think that people who sit cats do not realize how much work it is to sit puppies. You do not sight see, you do not really leave the home for any length of time.
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I know the fact of hospitality being subjective is often discussed but I just want to say that for me personally - I try to clean out the fridge as much as possible and consider that good hospitality. Cooked food? Gross (And I donāt like when sitters left food for me, especially stuff they cooked). Eggs/Milk/Fruit and Veggies? Not without asking the sitter, because I donāt want to have them seeing anything going bad.
I absolutely believe in letting the sitter using anything they want in my house, and always offer all my appliances, as well as anything basic like oil, spices, coffee/tea etc. But I donāt consider an empty fridge a sign of bad hospitality.
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One thing I noticed about the horror stories on the forums is how many of the people complaining are revealing many red flags about themselves. Not to deny that amazing sitters/HO had bad experiences, but I think there are many cases where people are not acting great and getting a similar treatment in return.
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We do. Thatās why we donāt sit puppies!
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I am 100% in agreement with pretty much everything you have written here - with this caveat: donāt let the āhorrorā stories color your view of the site too much.
To start with, having had dozens of experiences (combined as Hosts and as Sitters) over 7+ years, weāve had almost exclusively wonderful experiences.
My experience says flexibility is probably the No. 1 characteristic necessary to be a Satisfied, Happy Host and/or happy, Satisfied Sitter.
This platform can and should be wonderful for those on both sides of the equation.
As Iāve written elsewhere in this forum, is has to be a win-win-win (win for host, win for pets, win for sitters) or it just doesnāt work.
IMHO it really is fairly obvious and easy for that to be achieved. It just takes some common sense, common courtesy, a little thoughfulnes, kindness & flexibility.
After all, nothing in life is guaranteed, almost no situation is absolutely 100% perfect, and small mistakes are made by most of us.
But whatās the BIG picture?
We started as home owners and were immensely grateful that our home was safe, our pets were clearly well taken care of, happy in their home. Of course we appreciated & valued not just the financial savings of not having to kennel our pets or put a āvacant homeā rider on our house insurance, but the immeasurable peace of mind knowing that having a sitter meant not being worried about what might be going on with our pets, house, gardens.
When we flipped it around and became sitters, we valued having a homey place to take a break from travels, a home where we could make some meals, relax in a way that hotels or vaca rentals canāt provide and the coziness of a pet-on-loan who cuddles us.
Where I think some in the system get lost is either expecting too much of the other side, or feeling taken advantage of by the other side.
Having heard & read stories I know ādemandingā and āabusiveā people do pop up as Hosts and as Sitters.
I do agree with you that THS does not do enough to āvetā people who are hosts and or sitters.
I donāt think the THS system really has a way of tracking when either a Host or a Sitter is behaving in an unacceptable way which should lead to a Host or Sitter being cautioned or (for repeated complaints) removal from the system to protect other members.
Funnily enough, your comment about a Sitter not wanting a lengthy tour? Works the other way, too. Our worst experience as sitters came with a Host who didnāt want to give us much of a tour, barely let us meet his dog before he rushed us out, wasnāt there when we came to start the sit (yes, weād been given a key).
That ALL said, I come back to what I said at the top: we have had so many lovely experiences and overwhelmingly Sitters and Hosts have been thoughtful, kind, considerate and often times generous that I do hope you wonāt let the bad stories color your perspective.
I heard a news person explain why, after having written several intense books on politics & war he chose to write a very upbeat childrensā book (as best remembered) āAs a reporter, I cover a plane crash - but not the thousands of flights that landed safely that day. I cover a shooting, but not the thousands of random acts of kindness that happened that same day. Itās a story when it goes wrong, not when it goes right.ā
Cheers!
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There is so much truth to these few words.
When you know yourself well, you only choose to do and accept what you are willing to do.
No need to create anymore stress.
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Pip2: The happy-happy stories donāt impel a post!
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Kitty2 -
I have to agree. Sometimes reading a complaint I find myself thinking, āReally? THIS is what you found horrific?ā That said, sometimes I read a story and think āOMG, how is this possible!ā Sigh.
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Smiley -
I donāt expect a full fridge & pantry - but basics yes.
As hosts we ALWAYS treated the Sitters to a first meal and for a long sit (more than a week) enough for another meal or two (as well as all the basics). Generally we are met with the same by Hosts when we are sitters.
In all our experiences over 7+ years we have only once had the TOTALLY empty kitchen. The fridge was TOTALLY empty. Not one thing in fridge or freezer and the pantry held only empty spice jars, a rancid bottle of oil and a bottle of discolored vinegar with no cap, a box of rock-hard salt. Add to that? Cracked plastic plates, bent forks, dull knives, only two glasses. A bachelor to be sure but - heād lived there for several years?!?
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ElsieDownie - I think you are the epitome of a Great Sitter! Brava!
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Maggie8K - I agree with you. However, THS makes a mistake by not removing the problematic Hosts and Sitters. If a Host or a Sitter is abusing the other party, they sour that personās experience and THSās lack of action will probably result in losing the Member who was taken advantage of. I can imagine a bad Host or a bad Sitter could potentially disenchant half a dozen Members. Not a good formula for retaining membersā¦ Conversely, a Great Host or a Great Sitter will result in a Happy Member AND someone likely to recommend the platform to others.
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Fantastic insight Asasg! From being on both sides, thank you
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I also think the same!
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Yes, I mentioned that I want those folks kicked off the platform, because it ruins the experience for others. But of course, THS makes its own decisions about their business.
I do not use any of the food unless they mention the eggs will go bad etc. I feel uncomfortable eating their food. My issue, please enough room in the fridge and freezer for my food pleaseā¦
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@Pip2 this is excellent insight and i concur with the statement that there should be more clarity especially when it comes to generosity. I have had amazing hosts for the most part and a couple of so soās, never mean. I prefer to spread Pawsitivity ( my play on words) and avoid the negativity. I had some amazing hosts over this winter while in the UK who bought me dinner upon arrival, being collected ( picked up) at train stations etc. I have however noticed tiny differences occasionally thst have been generational. Some of the younger HOās or with families seem more preoccupied and havenāt been as generous in their hospitality, but that is not eveyrone. Overall Iāve been super happy with this platform since I partially retired snd joined 3 yearās ago.
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I agree, thereās a lot of negativity, but I read a lot of it because I hope to use that info to be a better sitter and better homeowner. Except in the bizarre cases, of course!
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Thank you, Amparo, for sharing. I seldom read the forum due to the negativity, pettiness, bullying and complaining that has taken over.
My interactions through THS have been lovely as have my friends experiences whom I have referred.
I read these posts tonight and will not be tuning back in for some time as this forum causes too much anxiety for me.
GĆ¼le gĆ¼le!
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