Obviously If one were to be on an extended sit they would need to buy groceries. I’m curious tho as to what is expected and what is to be required for a shorter sit?
I’m doing my first sit next week, 6 nights, and the HO has agreed to take me shopping the day before. So I got to thinking about what others do?
Very considerate of the homeowner to take you shopping but I would certainly expect to pay for and provide my own food and beverages on any length of sit.
There are other threads on here regarding the use of homeowner’s provisions/perishables but personally I would only use a bit of oil, condiments and spices. I would replace anything I used up.
Lots of information on here - use the spyglass at the top right hand corner of the screen to search.
4 Likes
I agree! I would not touch a thing unless given permission. Thanks for the reply. I run a B&B and when someone goes into MY fridge? Drinks MY wine? Oh look out! It’s happened. I even plan on bringing my own Keurig pods!
Hi @sitkashel there are a number of discussions about this that you can find using the spy glass search. Here’s one to get you started.
Personally, if we are not driving, we order our groceries online and have them delivered to the sit for just after we arrive.
Of the 10 sits I’ve done 2 provided groceries. One was very remote and the other just generous. I also had one were the HO had ordered eggs, bread, butter and milk for me. Other than that I’ve been offered food left in the fridge and a few times been left beer or wine.
So I’d work on the premise of grabbing your own groceries. Anything else is a bonus.
1 Like
Thanks everyone!
I asked the HO about delivery and what was nearby since I’ll not have a car.
That’s when he offered to take me shopping.
I just didn’t know what was expected of the HO or the sitter.
Personally I would never touch anything unless told it’s ok!
1 Like
I think you should also expect to be paying for your own groceries even if the home owner has offered to take you shopping. It’s quite possible he’s just offering you a ride.
1 Like
@sitkashel - I would interpret the HO’s offer as simply providing transportation to the grocery store.
3 Likes
Betsy, I never said I was expecting him to pay! The offer of a trip to the store was what I had planned on.
My other question was simply to get others’ thoughts on what is “normal”? Like eating their butter? Or an egg or two?
I’d never, ever expect to have someone buy my groceries!
1 Like
I always make certain I have more than enough for the sitter because I don’t expect them to buy it and I don’t want to come home and find out there’s no TP. I would not be pleased to walk into a sit and have to head to Sams, Walmart, Costco, etc for the basics. I make sure there’s twice as much cat food and litter as needed just so the sitters need not worry about it.
2 Likes
I had to chuckle at “food adventure”. We sat for a lovely couple who both loved to cook. She had spices and oils and sauces I’d never heard of, much less used. It was certainly a food adventure!
2 Likes
As an owner:
I’m going to let sitters know:
If you can access it…you can use it/ borrow it; unless otherwise noted.
If it’s food…help yourself and we don’t expect any food items replaced nor do we expect any paper products to be replaced.
Depending on length of stay/usuage…sitter may need to buy more tp & pt and sundry items and their own food.
And no need for welcome home “gifts.” Just good pet/home care is all we ask.
There will be plenty of kitty food and cleaning products.
We will leave some welcome items for the sitter🙂
And as a sitter:
I am going to ask if It is ok to use some sundry items in the fridge and if I use the last of something…I will gladly replace it.
I don’t plan on replacing tp or pt.
If more than a week stay…I would probably buy my own tp & pt and of course food.
I am also going to ask if there is anything “off limits” in the home/yard even though it seems accessible.
I plan on cleaning up after myself and leaving a welcome home note…no gifts.
All from a place of mutual respect and hopefully ease.
And why I prefer in both instances…a warm hand off.
Does this seem reasonable?
Asking for a newbie…
7 Likes
Agree Colin. If we were left a gift card by the HO, we would assume it was for our own use and that they were very thoughtful. I would want to know if it was ours to use or if the HO wanted us to use it to replenish. (we always replenish anyway out of courtesy)
As a HO, we would appreciate you eating fruit fresh that would have gone bad before we arrived home. We would not expect you to replace everything you’ve eaten. We do appreciate having milk, bread and coffee available when we get home so we don’t feel the need to visit the grocery store as soon as we arrive home.
On the flip side, when we sit for someone, we replace any basics we’ve used…oil, spices, toilet paper, paper towels…we just treat the HO as we would like to be treated.
1 Like
I am going to ask the HO: “Is there anything I can do for you before I depart on blah blah date other than clean up from my stay?”
If they say some grocery items would be good. I will respond, “Sure, I am happy to do that. If you want to leave some cash for a small grocery shop, I will leave you the receipt and any change left over. Just give me a list!”
As an aside…we started using laundry detergent sheets. Love them. Easy to pack along with some dryer sheets.
I like scents but really dislike the smell of some commercial detergents and dryer sheets; one less homeowner item to use during a stay.
This sounds a bit too aggressive, for some reason. I would just ask them if I can leave them a courtesy milk, coffee, eggs and bread - and I would leave that at no cost to them, just as a courtesy. We are on our 32nd housesit and no HO has ever asked for more than that. (of course we mostly only use our own stuff and any fresh produce that might have gone off). It is just to get them through the first morning after their return.
2 Likes
You bring up a fair point from your much more experienced perspective.
Basic brand stuff in our area has those 4 items totalling $20.00.
Is that like a wash for the tp & pt and mayo use?
I admit I came to that conclusion after reading many posts where sitters felt exploited and imposed upon.
I’m not at all aggressive.
Candid and not shy to speak up but always respectful unless otherwise provoked.
And quite generous and …thankfully $ is not an issue for us.
It’s more about boundaries and balance.
I will our sitters know that we do not want them to spend any of their money on us.
Just good home & pet care is all we ask.
Thank you for taking the time to reply🙂
1 Like
As a HO, our sitters have always replaced what they use except for the most recent sitters. They emptied our cupboards, fridge, freezer, and pantry. One reason they gave for not replacing anything was that the local grocery store was too expensive and Walmart was 25 minutes away. We were shocked. They could have left us one roll of toilet paper, out of the estimated 35 rolls!
We certainly don’t expect sitters to leave extra supplies and hopefully, there are adequate items for them. If there are expenses, we have indicated that we would gladly reimburse them.
@emmieo Just wondering if you mentioned in your review any of what your sitters did?
Just want to mention, a little kindness and generosity go a long way. It’s not necessary to keep a balance sheet. It’s ok to give more than you receive, whether you’re a sitter or a HO. That’s the way I see it.
11 Likes