Hi @Grace1215,
I understand and respect what you’re saying, but I’d like to give my point of view about HOs and sitters, a very diverse universe of characters and different personalities. Communication is essential to avoid surprises, on both sides.
Anecdotally, referring to ourselves as sitters, we spent two weeks using our own coffee (not because we’re picky) but because we didn’t want to cross an unspoken boundary with the HO.
Upon returning, the HO laughed a lot and explained that it was silly and that we were more than welcome to use the house’s basics (there were dozens of coffee capsules). We weren’t aware of this, as amateurs.
Today, with more experience with the app, we’ve had all kinds of experiences:
- The prompt to eat everything that’s open or ready to expire if we wanted.
- Same with fruits and vegetables on long-term stays (a month, for example)
- Houses with things that were about to rot (inside and outside the refrigerator)
- Pantries filled especially for us (after asking about allergies and personal preferences)
- In some cases, we have consumed simple products, such as chocolate, noodles, or flour, for example, at midnight (taking photos for replenishment before the HO arrives, obviously items from well-known brands in supermarket chains)
- “Green light to use everything,” which we respectfully apply common sense.
- We have also encountered stays without toilet paper or soap.
- Welcome and farewell gifts, and even an invitation to a restaurant “of our choice” as a thank you for our services.
In all cases, it would NEVER be right to shortage HOs or take things that were not offered, no matter the amount. I’d like to emphasize that communication is key to a win-win-win experience (pets, HW, sitters).
Sitters should ask, and HOs please indicate and clarify.
I’ve seen in your post that you mentioned that you have a nice gesture to your sitters and it’s always very appreciated to start a sit like this.
Based on what was listed above, I must disagree with the last point you made.
It’s not that plain, nor that simple. 