I’m a sitter and would never sit for an HO who wrote this review. If I were an HO, I would be inclined to think even more highly of you, feeling as if you can sit for someone this micromanaging, then surely you can sit for a reasonable host.
This. I would read that “Host’s” review & immediately ignore it, particularly if you have other complimentary reviews.
What’s more, as a sitter I often check how hosts reviewed other sitters to learn more about their style. I’d swipe away from this homeowner in a flat second,; wouldn’t even move on to read their next review.
Do the response, keeping it as brief & factual as possible. I’d even start with something along the lines of “I have to say that I’m both incredibly puzzled and taken by surprise by this review.” Then note the discrepancies. You will definitely come across as the more reliable party.
I’m so sorry you had this experience. What a perfectly miserable human being that host seems. ![]()
I would not post a response until you see what THS does with the post. If they amend or delete part of it, it will look odd that you have addressed something that isn’t there.
Would anyone want to privately quickly look at my proposed response and give your opinion as to brevity, etc.?
Totally happy to look if you want to DM it over. #wordlover
Same, I can look from a HO perspective if you’d like to DM it me.
Perfect – two people is a good way to get two perspectives. Thank you so much!!
The sit I am on now has cameras, but not during the sit this sit as they are being repaired but she mentioned that she usually has cameras. I told her ring OK, but indoor not allowed and she was shocked. And she said she has had previous sitters while in Denver, though no reviews. Maybe not THS. Doesn’t really matter as I don’t think the dog will last until other sit.
Indoor are allowed if not active.
Understood. She didn’t know that.
Did THS finally edit their review?
Not yet. I’ve contacted support three times and they just say “[Agent] will contact you when there is a decision/amendment/whatever”.[Agent] agreed it was against the guidelines and code of conduct but still nothing. I think I will probably go ahead and do my response tomorrow if no word. Urgh.
(Identifying info removed as per the Forum guidelines)
Try hold your seat. If your response is not needed because you are worried you cant get another sit, or some other on-platform reason, try not to send it. You only get one change.
I agree with @anon42303101 that it would be better to wait. In the meantime, if you need to apply for other sits and are worried about other HOs reaction, you can always explain that you’re waiting for THS intervention and can share your response privately.
I’m sure you have already had great advice by @Cuttlefish and @Felinelover but if you want a third opinion, feel free to DM me.
Hi everyone – to all who helped me. Guess what? THS has decided that there is NOTHING WRONG with the body-shaming comment and that “a homeowner/sitter is free to make any comments they wish”. So…..a homeowner can say absolutely whatever they wish about you personally, because the sitter has the “ability to respond”. The homeowner I’m sitting for at the moment was absolutely flabbergasted that ANY owner would make comments about a sitter’s/person’s body, looks, color, ethnicity, and that THS allows it. I just had a potential sit mention that “review” to me.
Who do they think they are that they ALLOW this??
Can you put a photo somewhere showing your “mobility”? Actually as your response to the review would be best but not sure if you can. It stinks but feels like that would be an “up you” to that review. Or address it in your profile.
Good idea – but there’s no “mobility” to be addressed
I guess I could take a full frontal photo of me hiking hills and say “hmm I dunno…my mobility might prevent me from getting down to floor level…” I did the response finally, addressing each of their points, and then THS let me know that they have no issues with high-paying premium members make insulting comments etc in their reviews. I now have another five-star review sitting there directly after their two-star insults from the following sit. Today, after receiving a last-minute cancellation (not the pet owner’s fault, she was due to transit on qatar through doha and was contacted that all flights in and out were cancelled) and so I jumped on searching. When I started receiving decline after decline after decline, I sent a follow-up message politely asking for all reviews to be taken into consideration, along with my response where applicable in this case) and I’m happy to answer questions. I received a lot of follow-ups after their cancellation saying the negative review had no impact at all.
I’ve now gotten one of the weeks filled, just trying to get the other two. I do this full-time and have no base home – I need the sits LOL Anyway – I’m hoping the closest one to fill will look at everything, I just haven’t heard back yet.
Hiking photo couldn’t hurt, can you do a cartwheel? Would make you stand out
good luck with those fill in sits and don’t let it grind you down.
snort I’m 67, it’s been a heck of a lot of years since I did a cartwheel haahahahah Yes my friend took a horrible photo but was taken a couple months ago. One look at me and you come to the same conclusion? I can’t get down to floor level to clean and maintain a hardly-used (outside cats) littter box?
@WanderingSitter I would suggest you respond to THS, quoting the first point in the Code of Conduct that hosts are agreeing to.
For owners — when finding a sitter

I will be respectful to the entire TrustedHousesitters community, regardless of their race, religion, national, origin ethnicity, disability, s e x, gender identity, sexual orientation or age.
