I just wrapped up a video chat with a potential sitter, and I’m genuinely baffled by the shift in expectations from sitters lately. This particular sitter had a list of 30 interview questions, which I respect—being thorough is important. However, about 25 to 30 minutes into the conversation, she announces that she’s researched the location and decided a vehicle will be necessary. Mind you, my profile already states that a vehicle is highly recommended. While there is public transportation available, it’s clear that having a vehicle makes things easier.
Then, she asks if I’m leaving my car for her. I paused and explained that I’m still figuring out the car logistics since I may need it to drive myself to the airport I am flying out of, which is about an hour away. At this point, she abruptly says she’s stopping the interview because she expects me to provide a vehicle. And, if I can provide her a vehicle, she’ll reconsider doing the rest of the interview. I was stunned. I told her that this was a complete waste of my time, as well as hers. If needing a vehicle was her expectation, she should have been upfront about it in her original message long before we set up a video interview.
This situation is incredibly frustrating. It feels like there’s an increasing entitlement among sitters who have sold everything and are hopping from one sit to another, expecting homeowners to provide everything. From requests for specific groceries to allowing other guests to join (one even asked to bring six other people!), to now demanding vehicles or even electric bikes, the entitlement is becoming outrageous. On the last sit a few months ago, the sitters did eight to ten loads of laundry each day. They did not know that the machines are smart machines and keep a log and notify. I literally had to look back at why our electricity and water went up significantly for the couple of weeks I was gone. And, it was supposedly just a couple.
On this video call I was just on, the sitter even asked if my dog could just be let out into the backyard instead of being walked on a leash. I had to explain that we never leave our dog unattended outside, even if just in the backyard. It’s such a disappointing experience, and it seems to be happening more often. What happened to mutual respect and clear communication? Has anyone else noticed this trend, or is it just me?
Everything you described sounds off to me as a sitter. Like I don’t apply for sits where a car is needed unless I can use my own or rent one, unless the listing says a car will be offered.
I feel there is a growing sense of entitlement from both sitters and homeowners and I attribute some of that to THS marketing.
It should be an equal exchange of pet/home care for accommodation and both parties should be satisfied with the arrangement and feel they are getting a fair deal.
Any ‘extras’ should be mutually agreed before confirming.
I have read about sitters expecting a car, travel costs and food etc.
I have also read of homeowners expecting a full cleaning service to professional standards, care for extra family pets, elderly relatives etc.
All we can do is create a comprehensive profile and work towards finding a good match where all expectations are met.
There are many great sitters and homeowners out there.
With regard to provision of a car. If homeowners are in a remote area and finding it difficult to attract sitters they may sometimes offer car use as an incentive but it shouldn’t be expected if not advertised.
I’m sorry you’ve had a series of bad sitters. I personally don’t think you need to provide a car and sat for many years without one. Each sit is a learning experience so hopefully you’re adjusting your profile to account for any issues that may be prevented by including info up front. ex: no car provided, no guests allowed, etc. Hopefully your luck will improve and hopefully you’re leaving accurate reviews of these sitters so others are warned.
I just want to add though that on the sitter side, we’re collectively noticing an uptick in entitled HOs as well. Many seem to think we’re staff rather than volunteers looking for an equal trade. So, it seems to be an issue across the board, not just on one side or the other.
Good luck in finding great sitters for future sits.
@Rockstar , I believe that this experience demonstrates why video calls are so important. Decline this sitter and arrange a video call with the next suitable applicant.
You’ve had sitters before so you know that when it’s a mutual exchange THS works really well with both parties feeling like winners .
We are sitters and never ask for a car . If there is anything that’s deal breaker for us , we will ask about it before the video call, we don’t want to waste our own time or the hosts time .
I’m sorry to hear about your experience. As a long term sitter who ‘hops from sit to sit’, I expect nothing from home owners other than the basics: mutual respect, clear communication and instructions, a comfortable (and ideally clean) environment. I’m even a little uncomfortable when they ask if they can get me some food in, which is kind but not necessary.
I have my own car and wouldn’t expect one to be provided if I were to travel abroad, I would only apply to sits on the basis I could be entirely self-sufficient and not have such expectations of home owners. If this is offered, then great. But such an offer has to come from the home owner in my opinion. I don’t ever ask questions such as ‘do you have X for my use?’ I think if a sitter is making such demands, this is indicative of their entitlement and ultimately, a lack of compatibility. Similarly, I have come across home owners who have had expectations of me beyond the remit of a house sitter, which indicates we are not compatible.
I agree with @Twitcher that some of this entitlement may be the result of THS marketing. Newer sitters coming on board who have their own interests at heart, rather than appreciating the ‘mutual exchange’ element, though I can’t say for sure as I don’t know any. I think if you dig a little deeper, you will come across a lovely sitter who is excited to be looking after your home and pets, and keen to make it a great experience for you, rather than asking what you can provide for them.
ETA: The notion of doing 8-10 loads of laundry a day is shocking to me! The washing machine must have been on constantly! I do 2 loads a week, if that! Also, to ask if the dog can be let out in the back yard rather than being walked…I agree with others that you’ve dodged a bullet here.
I am sorry to read that you have been frustrated and have had disappointing experiences with a select few of sitters.
To answer the question that you pose in your title, “Should the homeowner provide a vehicle”? No, a HO should not have to provide a vehicle for sitters. Many homeowners have only one vehicle and drive themselves to the airport and back home from the airport. And many homeowners may not feel comfortable allowing sitters to use their vehicle. Whatever reasons they may have, it is not mandatory for HOs to provide a vehicle for sitters.
While you may consider the video call a waste of time, it gave you the opportunity to find out that you and the sitter were not a fit. It would probably have been more upsetting if you had confirmed the sitter and found out later about the sitter’s expectations for using your vehicle and leaving your dog unattended outside.
I am sorry that you feel this way. While this may have been your experience with a select few sitters, not all sitters fall into this category. Many sitters (as myself) are independent, have their own homes, and sit voluntarily because they love animals.
I do not rely on or expect homeowners to provide a vehicle for my use. If I deem a sit is within driving distance from my home, I will drive my own vehicle. When I deem a sit is not within driving distance, then I book a flight and rent a car.
I feel blessed that I am living my best life in caring for pets. I enjoy helping others and I love giving pet parents the peace of mind and reassurance that their precious pet is being taken care of in their own environment.
You are right in that there should be mutual respect and communication between HOs and sitters. If either or both is absent, then there is potential for disappointment for HOs and sitters.
I wish you well in selecting sitters who are amazing. When you do, please come back to the forum and tell us about it.
I am so sorry to hear about this experience. As others have mentioned the rise of difficult attitudes and behaviours seems to be happening on both sides as the site expands and people misunderstand the ethos of THS.
I am wondering if it’s because there is a tension between parties over what they think they should get from the experience.
I would never expect a host to provide a vehicle, and to be honest I wouldn’t want the responsibility of it either. Unless they were insistent because the food shop was a 30 minute walk and they lived in a forest or something - a pet and a home is enough!
@Rockstar You dodged a bullet for sure. It’s not just thinking they must be provided a car, but the sitter wants to skip out on pet care, too.
When we schedule our video chat, we first reiterate the deal breakers, such as sitters must be non-smokers and that no car is available. Saves everyone time on both sides.
For the first time in three years, we’ve had trouble finding suitable sitters. So many just want free accommodation and no mention about how they’ll take care of our pets. The results of "free vacation " marketing by THS.
I don’t know if anyone has seen the Facebook group for THS, but one statement was, " we all do this because we don’t have a house, and are strapped for cash"! and an awful lot of them expect the HO to pay for their travel costs and feed them. This seems to have become common expectations in the last couple of years, can’t help thinking it’s to do with the THS marketing of “free holidays”.
It’s toe curling on there @Chrissie and people think it’s the company party line being quoted when members are handing out advice willy nilly. #dangerdanger
That’s interesting. Did they happen to be more from one country or another? Or was it across the world? I know things are a lot more expensive in the US.
There will always be a range of expectations, but I think it is delusional to think most people do it solely for the love of pets, which seems to be the line in THS marketing. People do it as an alternative to other forms of accommodation, and are happy to care for pets in addition to this.
In a period of serious global economic turmoil, it is idealistic to assume finances are not an influence on people’s decisions. This does not mean to say people won’t make great carers for the pets and take this role seriously, but THS need to be far more honest instead of making out there’s an invisible tribe of pet nannies who appear at the click of a finger or that it’s a breezy free holiday.
@Rockstar
Personally, I wouldn’t ask for or expect the use of a car if sitting.
I would be making my own way there and back in my own vehicle, if abroad then I would hire a car.
Similarly, I wouldn’t expect HO to leave food either.
I’d like to think i am in the majority but maybe not.