@Chrissie I guess you could also say that if the owners can’t afford to pay the utilities on their home, they shouldn’t be going on holiday.
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I get that some homeowners are price sensitive to utility bills and other costs. But I didn’t join THS to help anyone solve that problem.
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@Danandnan , but they did pay, I didn’t pay a thing.
Or (and this is a tough one) have pets - so many pet parents start their journey of pet ownership without realising the potential cost of their fur baby, especially if they don’t have a THS sitter.
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Some sitters are willing to cover the HO’s utilities while others including me would not apply for sits that requested a contribution to utilities. As long as it’s clear on the listing we as sitters can decide.
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There already appears to be a shortage of sitters, if this ‘trend’ continues, then this would only get worse.
There is no way we will pay any extras whilst on a sit. We are careful with energy etc though.
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I have deleted previous post as others have made my point much more succintly and clearly
You’re right @Catme - it’s absolutely an exchange. In simplest terms, pet care for accommodation. It’s making sure that we can keep it this way that’s key for both sides of the barter and not bringing money into the equation, anywhere that everyone is so annoyed about. #fromsittertoownerwithlove
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I’m waiting for the launch of THS+ where you can attach a daily price to your listing or have applicants bid on how much they will be willing to pay like a sealed bid 
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LOL. Don’t see that happening, because it would create so much friction in user behavior that it would destroy the business.
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It’s no laughing matter. but I couldn’t help myself. I had a vision of HO jetting away with a wallet full of cash to sunnier shore with no hurricanes
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What’s all the fuss about?
If you don’t want to pay utilities or rent, ignore the sit. It looks like 95% of the sitters here would. If the pet parent doesn’t get any applicants they’ll have to change their policy so less and less sits asking for utilities to be paid.
I will say it again - THS is an introductory service. They cannot vet all the listings or all the profiles. So it is up to us to ignore the ones we don’t agree with and then they will soon get the message.
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They are not getting your services “for free” if it is an “exchange”. It can’t be both an exchange and one where you provide a free service. You are getting something out of the deal, otherwise you (presumably) wouldn’t do it. Whether is it a fair exchange is a different matter and very subjective.
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I agree up to a point but if THS is simply an introduction service why are they imposing rules such as “no overlaps”, “no more than 5 applicants” etc. If it’s hands-off, let the market i.e. sitters/hosts decide and drop all these other policies.
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Well, it’s an introduction service that wants to maximize its business results. And they get to decide how they do that, since it’s their company. As users, we can share our feedback, but we don’t get any real say. We can always leave. That’s often why people start businesses — to make money and call their own shots.
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Well said that woman.
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deleted - think point is being misunderstood
If it needs saying, I’m not referring to law breaking.
THS might want to take a cut then, like AirBnB and Rover do.
It would change THS a lot, also from a legal point of view. I don’t think they are prepared to go there.
deleted - think point is being misunderstood