Maybe there’s some imbalance but it doesn’t really bother me. We have to consider that the roles are different and it is not possible
You have raised some interesting points and I’d like to share my opinion
- cancellations. I would prefer that both HOs and sitters had to go through THS for a cancellation to be effective. I think that would help enforce the emergency only cancellation policy.
- Sending messages. It could easily be made equal by letting both HOs and sitters choose if they want that option open, even block communication with someone in particular.
- Background checks. I am in Europe and does not apply but I agree that even though the HOs are exposing their pets and property, sitters maybe exposing themselves and some property too.
- I also agree the way sitters calendar work could be improved but wouldn’t list it as imbalance.
- High or unfair expectations are not an imbalance issue either. There maybe high expectations on both ends but that can easily be managed by choosing the best possible match for both HOs and sitters.
I think if we are part of the THS Community is because we love pets and enjoy this system of mutual exchange, I read too often that sitters
and as @KC1102 says, this is something we choose to do and we should manage our expectations accordingly, which doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve the system.
Perhaps we could post this suggestions in this other thread