Yep. Are we pet sitters or maids?
Yes, when leaving reviews for other commercial sites, I never give perfection ratings as there is always room for improvement.
Here at THS, there appears to be a tend of it has to be 5 star or something is severely wrong.
Seems very odd if I’m honest.
I am a sitter, and I read HO reviews carefully before applying, which sometimes has caused me to miss out on being able to apply while reading! If a HO had a 4 star or less, I would go into the reviews and see what the previous sitters had to complain about. It could be something that doesn’t bother me, or it could be something quite serious.
So far, I have always given 5 stars because all my sits have been great. Yes, sometimes I’ve had to do things which I would have prefer not to, for example, buy drain unblocker on the first day, but that’s not a reason to take stars out of a review. I have to buy that in my own home as well occasionally, and it is not a big deal!
What really puts me off from applying is when I see that the HO had unreasonable expectations from a sitter. For example, I read one recently where the HOs were accusing the sitter of stealing some medicines. Even if the sitter had reached out for a paracetamol while there, would that really matter? I avoid that kind of HO
It concerns us all, as the same principle applies in both directions.
If I saw someone with 5% of all the reviews being four stars, I would read those and try to read between the lines. Likewise, I would read what the sitters said about the HO. I always try to read the last 5 if they have a lot of reviews. If they don’t have many, say less than 5, and one of the last ones wasn’t too good, I would politely decline.
If someone received 4 stars out of 5 for cleanliness, I wouldn’t worry much. I have never given 4 stars in the cleaning section, even when they’ve left dust on our bedside tables (in the room they slept in) or didn’t wash our sheets (just pulled them off the bed). I can’t expect a sitter to clean my home deep as if they were a maid or leave it pristine. I certainly appreciate it when they do, and I make sure to mention it in my review, but I will not hold it against them if they don’t have time to wash my sheets. I have never found my home in awful shape either, or with bad smells, so I feel like I’ve never had to give anything lower than 5.
The main thing for me is finding a happy, healthy dog and not being surprised with broken items that would require me to spend money to fix (broken appliances or anything hazardous).
I’m still a newbie but I was thinking the same thing. 4 stars in my mind is still very good. I would only worry at maybe 3 stars. 4 or 5 or kind of equal to me.
Stealing medicines, like prescription types? If that were the case, that would be noteworthy, because some people do steal such to get high or resell on the black market, as with prescription painkillers. That would be different from taking a couple of Tylenol or Panadol.
There were reviews in 2013 because I recall asking for one and getting one line of words. It was there but not so important or noticeable, maybe.
I sympathise -I just finished a sit in Wicklow and I’m so disappointed with the pet owners review of me as she left me a 4 star review. This messes my 5* record now I’m 4.
I did have a gut feeling about her before sit, I was there for a week with a very very needy but gorgeous rescue dog and a shy cat. I never left the dogs side and let him sleep with me. I did everything expected of me exercise wise and she did say this. I also watered all plants inside and out about 20 of them this was not requested. I found the dog a very fussy eater this wasn’t mentioned either and it worried me and I had to entice him to eat. He also pulled on the lead and this was also not mentioned- I managed him. I did her washing and left the house spotless, she deducted scores from me for communication re coming and going. I only knew what time she’d be back the day before her return from trip when she more or less told me on what’s ap to hang around until late in the afternoon. This is meant to be negotiated and agreed and she had told me the dog could be left for up to 2 hours. I left late afternoon and was sad to the dog as we really bonded.
I had little down time from dog on this sit if any and I ferried the dog to walks in my car as there was none close by only dangerous roads with no paths. Her car sat in driveway.
I am very upset with this review and think I will leave THS. I am an excellent sitter who gives heart and soul. When I told her my disappointment about review and said all I did , and told her to give love to dog and wished her well her response was nasty. She said all the work I did is expected in a house sit and it does not matter how much work you do or how many pets you care for. I am disappointed in this sit terribly. Thoughts ?
@Holly. If you haven’t already replied to her review I would leave it a few days then use your last paragraph without emotion. The host sounds not a nice person
Oof, the HO sounds like someone who views sitters as an unpaid servant - take care of my house and pets, and you’ll get free boarding.
Given your stellar reviews before this one, I don’t think it’ll hurt you much, if at all. Ot’s an ego wound. Doing your best and it not appreciated. Did you check the HO’s reviews of prior sitters? That probably would have helped.
How do you check the HOs reviews of other sitters please?
Thank you I did reply perhaps if you can see my profile you can tell me what you think? Perhaps I should have left shorter and less emotional response hard when you really care.
In the app, go to the past sitters and click on their profiles.
Hi had a look but can only see your introduction but I’m not very savvy on computers. I wouldn’t worry, if you have previous good reviews new hosts will ignore this silly woman.
@HollyMoon’'s profile does not appear to be linked yet
Thank you for your advice I do appreciate it. My rating will go down by her review that bothers me. I can live with the ego bruise it’s just the sit was really time demanding and I feel so unappreciated. There is a bad taste in my mouth now and the Memory of the bond with the beautiful dog is tarnished.
Thank you Sarah
I’m sorry you have had this happen to you @HollyMoon. Depending on how many reviews you actually have, it may not affect your total 5* rating.
I’m interested to know what kind of review you left for the host, considering the issues you have raised. I hope you did not give her a 5* one. If you did, then your response to her review of you may contradict what you wrote in your review of her which savvy hosts will read.
I would hate to see you give up on your pet sitting because of this one review. 4 stars is still very good; it’s just that so much emphasis is put on having 5 stars. Do you have other sits booked soon to be able to bury this one quickly?