Hello to all - new situation for me. Prepping for a sit and it appears wonderful but HO is clearly nervous and this is caused by an earlier sitter. Individual agreed to sit and then a few days prior to arriving requested compensation in the way of gift certificates and food saying that they are away from home and losing out on a paying pet sit job there. While at this sit they demanded additional compensation. The care of the pet was apparently acceptable but clearly the HO will not have them return.
Very upsetting to those of us that abide by the THS code of conduct - any suggestions? Unfortunately the HO is a very tolderant individual and did not indicate these occurrences in the review.
@Rubysmom, we find direct communication to be very effective.
Consider asking for a video call. Or if you’re local and able then briefly meet.
Patiently listen to their concerns. Once they’re done then you can address them one at a time. Give direct comfort on specific topics of PP concern. e.g. “please be assured that I do not expect compensation”
Did the owner review the previous sitter? If so, what did she say? Did the sitter in question review the owner? If so, have you read it?
All you can do is say that no money should have changed hands as that is not part of THS agreement and, as @Silversitters says, it was up to her to complain to THS.
It’s a shame this happened, and you should encourage this person to start a dispute even if it happened a while back so that THS will at least keep an eye on the sitter if there are more complaints.
However, if the person doesn’t trust you because she believes this some kind of service sending people her way, then don’t take the sit. Suggest a face to face video chat but if that still leaves you feeling ick, then don’t do the sit. Life is too short. Mutual trust at least to start is necessary.
It’s understandable that this HO has become a little wary since his/her previous encounter with a sitter was far from acceptable. However, it sounds like this has primed the HO to be overly suspicious of all other sitters.
These are my thoughts, too. If the HO is still wary following the video chat with you, or if you feel you will be excessively judged due to the failings of the previous sitter, then best to decline the sit and walk away IMHO. The very best sits are based on mutual trust, and it’s not our responsibility to compensate for the disappointments caused by others.
I highly doubt that tolerance has anything to do with the host failing to leave a factual negative review for a sitter who (based on the facts described here), clearly deserved one.
You’ve had some great advice here, and I just wanted to add my voice to those saying that the HO should speak to THS about the previous sitter. As mentioned by @marion, please encourage them to start a dispute if you’re able, as I think the team would want to know about the sitter who did that to them.