I don’t think that, lots of very nice ones on this forum.
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Anytime someone asks or says was it more Americans (or asks or says by way of implication), please note that U.S. population is much greater than say the U.K. So even if human behavior were consistent, the numbers of Americans would normally outstrip say Brits or Aussies, etc.
And note that THS has said specifically that they’re pursuing more growth among U.S. sitters (presumably because the population is huge and companies typically want to penetrate the U.S. market, because it’s more valuable in sheer potential profits).
U.S. population: 345,426,571
U.K. population: 69,138,192
Australian population: 26,713,205
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We have been asked to drive HOs to airports. Mostly so we can then have the car. Once when we did a local sit. I felt my husband was treated like a chauffeur. They did buy us a meal, he drove them in their car. 5 hours of driving each trip…
Another time a HO micro managed my husbands driving on the way to the airport. I nearly throttled her! Another recent request, it was jokingly suggested my husband wear a chauffeur hat. I said emphatically, That wont be happening!!
Not Cool.
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How bizarre. I’ve never had a HO ask me to drive them anywhere and I probably wouldn’t want to if they did. But if I were willing to do it, they’d need to dive if they were in the car and I’d only drive once I’d dropped them off. No way am I driving someone else’s car while they are watching. Not because I’m a bad driver, but because it would be unnecessarily nerve wracking. AND i’m no chauffeur. 
I don’t even like driving my mom’s car when she’s in it and I’m visiting and I’ve been driving with her in the car for 40 years. lol
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@Rockstar I think it might be due to an imbalance in the number of HOs and HSs, which also explains the misleading marketing—it attracts a different type of people who may not fully understand the concept or the intention that it’s a mutual service.
The agreement is meant to benefit both parties.
I’m not sure where in the world you are located or if it’s difficult to attract HSs in your area, but in many countries, it’s required that the driver of the car is either insured or added to the car’s insurance policy. Additionally, people come from different cultures and countries—take the UK and Italy, for instance. It varies in how you park, which side of the road you drive on, etc., and these practical details could be worth considering if you want to avoid further discussions.
It’s always easier to have a practical reason than one based on emotions.
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This thread is strange to me - depending on the location and situation I may ask about a car. If the HO is willing to let me use their car, then of course I’ll take them to the airport - an hour or 2 drive is about my limit. And I’ll even suggest that I will drive the HO to the airport and work out a way to arrange for the HO to have the car at the airport on return - park it, lock the keys inside and send a message and photo of the location.
When I first started HOs in the UK could add me to their auto insurance but the rules have since changed and that means I don’t apply for sits where public transportation is limited. (A few UK HOs have left me money for local transport.)
It all depends on the location. Prior to Covid, car rentals were relatively inexpensive - not anymore and I’m spending for the plane ticket.
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Hi @Rockstar
Unfortunately, I think what you’ve experienced is the result of using a ‘free’ house-sitting service, where recent marketing has led home owners to expect a lot from sitters, which in turn has led sitters to expect a lot from home owners.
If it were a business model where home owners were paying for a sitter, and sitters were receiving payment for their services, there would no doubt be a standard contract in place which would cover a lot of the areas that both parties currently need to negotiate when agreeing to a THS sit.
A video call is an opportunity for sitter and home owner to figure out the logistics of the sit, and whether the sit is a good fit for each party, both on a practical and personal level. It sounds as though in this case, you’ve found out that it won’t be, but it’s far better to realise that at this stage, rather than further down the line.
And don’t lose heart! There are plenty of us out there who still subscribe to the idea that THS house-sit should be a mutually beneficial exchange.
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Hello to you all! We are new on THS … currently as homeowners, but would like to be sitters in the future after our own dear doggo has passed. We are Americans, retired professionals, own a lovely home, and love to travel. We have two sets of friends who are sitters on THS. We all met while we were full-time RVers. Bob and I quit full-time traveling after three years, but they are still traveling and living in their RVs. We are all retired professionals … business owners, attorneys, grantwriters, nurses, accountants. None are here because we are strapped for cash or homeless. We are here because we love adventure, traveling, animals, and living like the locals. A fancy hotel is nice once in a while, but we’d all rather stay in homes or apartments in the real world. And THS affords us opportunities we’d never have otherwise! One couple did a sit at a small “gentleman’s farm” in New Zealand! All it cost was airfare and their time caring for the animals and plants. Another couple just finished a sit in the beautiful San Juan Islands where they explored at length while walking the dog that was in their care. We all believe in The Golden Rule and Leave No Trace.
While we have placed our first sit dates on THS, we have had lots of “Saves” but no takers. And since Hurricane Helene did a number on our area, we frankly don’t expect any takers for the October dates. Reading about all the sitters who feel entitled makes me nervous for what lays ahead for us. We live in suburbia with two grocery stores less than a mile away. We don’t mind if sitters use the food in our kitchen as long as they don’t wipe us out (“do unto others as you’d have them do unto you”), but I also don’t expect to go grocery shopping for a sitter. I don’t know their likes and dislikes, and I wouldn’t want a HO to buy food for me … I have my preferences and dislikes. I also cringe at the idea of allowing a sitter to use our car … we only have one vehicle, we have pristine records and feel it’s very risky to allow a stranger to use and potentially wreck our only vehicle.
I’ll continue reading the forum as I educate myself to how this works. Keep posting your experiences!
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Welcome, @Bobalou2016!
Many hosts and sitters are normal. Freakish behavior tends to get posted — normal sits tend to go under the radar. Otherwise, few people would ever renew — whether as hosts or sitters.
Many folks are professionals, some retired. Some people are full-time nomads — with jobs or their own businesses. Most sitters probably work onsite and sit only occasionally.
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Welcome @Bobalou2016 !
As Maggie8k says, the stories told on forum are often the ones where someone has a problem they need help to resolve, need to vent or check out «is this normal?» As you can see, the answers are often «this is not normal».
The majority is probably the ones where sits go according to plan and both parties are satisfied.
I find it very educational to read on forum. To learn more about how to find a good match and how to make the sit successful and a good experience for both.
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I’m based in South Florida - on the intracoastal, quiet three bedroom home on a quiet street that ends on the water. There is a garage and three car driveway. The ocean is super close and in the evenings you can enjoy the ocean breezes by the pool.
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Wow. I did not know this. Well, I was so frustrated last night, I went ahead and reached out to a few pet sitter companies and think I am going to go that route.
I think you hit it spot on here with the THS marketing on “free vacation” - which is so unfortunate.
Just to be clear on the car and location as well. My home is on the intracoastal in the city, all major box stores are within one mile. Bus stop at end of street, though I still believe that having a vehicle here is best.
Additionally, I always purchase a supply of groceries based on their likes they have provided in advance to help ensure they are comfortable. I want them to feel that this is a mutually beneficial arrangement and that I so appreciate their love and attention for my furry crew.
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It’s very common to have HO ask to be taken to airports or a bus station but as you mention we’d always let them drive unless it’s an early morning airport pickup and they’d be too tired to drive.
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I’ve driven hosts to airports or airport shuttle stops when they’ve left me their cars to use. Not at all a big deal to me. I don’t have trouble driving strangers, even in their own car.
The only exception was for an early morning flight in the U.K. My hosts didn’t ask — said they’d use a ride share — and I didn’t offer. I also didn’t want to drive on the other side of the road for such a distance in an unfamiliar place.
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@MissCatUK I would think that the HO would be the one driving to the airport with sitter as passenger. Is this common, to have the sitter chauffeur the HO to their flight?
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At major airports, it’s often better to have the driver stay with the car and have the passengers hop out and get the luggage, because the airport can be packed with multiple lanes of cars dropping people off. It creates less traffic that way. That’s common knowledge among folks who drive in such places.
It’s pragmatic. It has nothing to do with the idea of being a chauffeur.
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If HOs or Sitters are asking for things that don’t fit with the THS model then don’t accommodate them. Weed these members out. Plenty of members are supportive and doing things that are respectful and kind .
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@Maggie8K Sure, but in many cases cited the sitter has driven the HO an hour or more. As a HO in that situation, I would do most of the drive and switch places closer to the airport.
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@KenandMary1998: You are correct, Trusted House Sitters should read this thread and address some of the issues. I am new as of today and not actually signed up for the service yet. I came here to get some idea of how this all works, I can see this may not be the site for me. The whining and complaining from both sides are a bit depressing. I am older but asking for your home to be left like you found it is not asking to much, and for the sitters asking for additional things like specific food, furnish a car, pay travel expenses, etc is out of line. The HO pays to participate and I would think most HO actually do accommodate as much as possible. Being kind, and knowing how to communicate like an adult would be more productive for everyone. I thought I had found a site that would be beneficial for both parties. I have more thinking to do it seems.
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