I was not stating that sitters should or should not leave gifts, that’s up to them. I was responding to the poster that said they were no longer leaving gifts because of the new booking fee.
You are referring to my post @SeniorSitter1. However, I didn’t say that I was taking that action. I said that some other members had written that.
Yes I was just commenting on what you heard some are doing. I didn’t mean you personally, sorry if it came off that way.
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I think this problem is indicative of the change in the attitudes of sitters over the ten plus years I’ve been a member, providing very basic care, but no extras - like car rides. If you are going to nickle and dime your expenses, you have to accept the homeowner doing the same. Run the aircon 24/7 at 18C? Used all the EVOO to deep fry? Let the pot plants die? Bought movies on my account? Just leave the cash on the bench.
My attitude has not changed and I, like many other experienced housesitters, do not provide basic care but often go above and beyond with 103 x 5 star reviews to date. You sound like just the kind of owner I would wish to avoid.
If a dog has to be taken by car for walks, doggy day care, groomers, vets etc why should the sitter be expected to cough up the petrol? It’s the fact it was expected by the owner.
As I’ve mentioned, I have often taken dogs out in my car but that has been my choice.
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I think @RedLassie possibly offers a clue as how to manage this. Leave them an itemized receipt with your Venmo or whatever, as if you are fully expecting reimbursement for petrol. Matter of factly expecting that of course they would reimburse you since it was their request. Perhaps they care about the review you will leave.
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Too late, I left yesterday.
Good for you, but you are not in the majority. No need to avoid me, you would not get the opportunity. 
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An interesting point I just remembered from a sit I did in the UK last visit. The HO left me their car which was greatly appreciated. The dog I was sitting couldn’t be left alone 24/7 but I didn’t mind too much on this occasion, sometimes having the car can make up for the small inconvenience.
But. I had to drive the HO to the airport 1.5 hours away, then on arrival I was asked to pay for the passenger drop-off, wasn’t cheap (said would fix me up later but didn’t). Naturally then a 1.5 hours drive back. Then I was asked to take the dog to the groomers. Fair drive away. I did. Then was asked if I would take elderly mother to dentist. I didn’t! A few other things also. So all this added up to a LOT of fuel costs. As I always do, I filled the tank with fuel before I left so it made for quite an expense to actually be given the car use when a lot of it wasn’t for my actual use. No money was offered to me.
Was hard to say no to most of it as I felt “obligated” due to being left the car but wouldn’t do it again. Fuel costs in the UK are high! (Everywhere I guess).
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And I would never do those things you suggest. I am a mature woman, own my home and am respectful of an owner’s home and costs involved in running it.
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Good for you, as I say. But your approach does not negate my experience. When I started with THS I had great sitters, many of whom I count as friends years later, but increasingly, sitters seem to want to get as much as possible and give as little as they can get away with in return.
OMG !!!(exclamation marks to fulfill 10 characters requirement🤣)
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An example: I always leave $50 for incidental expenses and in the early years the money was either unspent, even if there was a new toy or different treats, or if some was spent a receipt was left. In recent years there has been several occasions where the money is gone, and no explanation has been left. This has been with satisfactory sitters, who I overall rate well - it’s just a different attitude towards housesitting.
Agree! THS wants 10 characters.
It also blows your own trumpet about something you feel aggrieved about( quite rightly, in my opinion, and reveals to readers ( both future pet sitters and Home Owners checking you out for possible sit invites) what a generous - spirited sitter you are.
It’s all about giving the dogs a good time on your watch . Who wouldn’t want a sitter who does that?
If I do a last minute cancellation ,for example,and save the day, I mention it in the review because I expect the Home Owner won’t and I feel like Superman ! These are moments when blowing your own trumpet are appropriate. We are that brilliant! We want people to realize and appreciate it!
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Really curious to know what their plan was if you said either “no, I don’t have a car” or “I do, but I cannot carry animals in it”.
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Presumably you didn’t ask for a contribution?
I also had a similar experience in New Zealand on one of my early sits, although not quite as bad. I was left a big car to use, the home and alpaca farm was situated about 8 miles along a bumpy road, where there were just a few other farms, from the main road. I then had to drive another 5 miles to the supermarket etc. The owners asked me to take one of the two dogs to doggy day care two or three times a week. No offer of petrol and, like you, I always leave a car full.
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Yes, a good point
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@Smiley no, I didn’t ask. I’m a little too easy going sometimes and tend to just let sleeping dogs lie (excuse the pun). Host was so lovely, like yours, so I decided the sit was worth the additional cost and just move on. Sometimes I feel it’s about the personal connection and not the money. Had the host been horrible, I probably would have asked. Hope you are sorted with your review. It’s hard and sometimes I think the nice HO’s just don’t realise what they do/ask as it’s all just fairly normal life for them when home, to do such things as you were expected to. Oh well, it’s over now and I understand about the NZ sit 
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I have occasionally been left money for incidentals/emergencies but generally bought dog treats or something pet related or nothing. Yes, if they had left money I may well have taken some for the petrol.
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