Should the homeowner provide a vehicle?

Host Questions, Advice & Chat
62

I rarely do repeats, though I appreciate the sentiment behind such offers. I get a lot of them, but prefer variety. I don’t mind helping folks out, though — within reason — even if I never see them again. To me, that goes beyond sitting, to life in general.

Of course that’s at my discretion. And I wouldn’t let entitled people take advantage of me. But I’ve not found that to be an issue — I can be firm with boundaries as needed.

Of course with sitting, I always figure it’s better to vet carefully and catch a potentially bad dynamic or tone as early as possible, starting with the listing. Personally, I’d prefer to miss a sit over a false negative than risk a bad sit by ignoring warning signs.

If you end up on a sit with someone who tries to take advantage or treats you like a servant, it can be tough for many folks to push back in ways that avoid friction or bad reviews.

63

I am wondering how they sound so great in their application. They don’t want to walk the dog? Wouldn’t that come up in their reviews or in their application? I always write about my habits with dog walking etc. I am though surprised at how many HOs offer a car. I wouldn’t want to loan out my car to a stranger. If I needed a car, I would rent one. So far, I have only used the service in the North America and had my car.

64

@Maggie8K As a HOs we would never ask the sitter to drive us 90 minutes to the airport. I would drive and point out land marks and speed radar (very important! The tickets arrive in the mail weeks after the infraction) and interesting places to explore. Sure, I could do that while they are driving but safer for me to do that. Also, I noticed on visits back to the US that driving is quite variable by region.

65

As a sitter, I’m embarrassed by that person’s high-handed behaviour. Please don’t think she represents the majority. Providing a car is NOT any kind of obligation.

One thing I would like to add, though, is: If you, as an HO, are (very generously!) offering the use of a car, it would be really helpful if you could mention that in your listing. Yes, I know there’s a THS tick-box for this, but after a few embarrassing experiences, I don’t trust it.

66

Yes, if you live far from an airport, that’s an over ask, IMO. I wouldn’t ask a friend to do that, either. Maybe I would offer as a sitter, if they left me a car to use.

None of the hosts I’ve driven have lived far away, though. The ones who lived far have driven themselves, taken a ride share to a train station, or in one case, they caught an airport shuttle near their home. I dropped them at the shuttle stop (and later picked them up) and they left me a car, a golf cart and a bicycle to use. They also met me at the shuttle stop and took me to dinner on my arrival, then dropped me off for departure. And they volunteered to pay for my shuttle round trip, $80 USD.

I’ve had gracious hosts, happily. A number have offered to pick me up, including one pair who volunteered to come an hour or so away, meeting me if I ended up sightseeing in the Cotswolds in the U.K. I thought that would be taking advantage, though. Instead, I booked a bus tour that took me from London, where I’d done a sit, to Stratford-upon-Avon, where my second sit was.

On the way, I toured the Cotswolds and Stratford-upon-Avon, then I just didn’t take the return trip to London with the tour group. It worked well — big bus, mostly empty and lots of room for my luggage. The guides even kindly offered to help with my baggage.

Those hosts were lovely, as was their dog. I did a rare repeat sit for them. I usually don’t accept repeats. The second time, I took a train from London and they offered to pick me up at the train station. For departure, they once offered to drop me off in the next town over, where I went to sightsee after my sit. The second time, they offered to take me to the train station, because I was returning to London to sightsee some more.

67

My latest hosts volunteered their van after I mentioned that I might take their dog to the beach this weekend (1.5 hours one way). They even voluntarily gassed up their van before leaving. They said I shouldn’t have to spend money to take him anywhere. And all that’s despite my having my own car with me, in which I could’ve taken their dog.

Because we vibed and they showed me hospitality, I offered to drive them to the airport, an hour+ round trip. To me, THS sitting is about good partnerships and reciprocity. I look for cool people to partner with and avoid ones who are selfish, entitled or think they’re doing sitters a favor. Happily, those people are a minority on THS and in the world.

68

As you said it is a waste of time to have a conversation with this person. I feel like it is kind of a one way deal rather than a mutually benefitting. Dont worry you will find a good one. :upside_down_face:

69

Bear in mind that people on the forum are often complaining when things go wrong. I’ve used the site as both a host and a sitter. The quality of sitters has been mostly excellent – a better track record than I found with drop in paid sitters, and overnight sitters. For that matter better than that time a friend bailed on me years ago, and my friends/neighbors had to take over!

As a sitter, I haven’t felt let down by any hosts although there were a couple of lumpy mattresses, and one room that was a bit cluttered which wasn’t a big deal for me but could’ve been for someone else.

Overall as a host, not having to pay for petsitting has enabled me to travel more and I feel more peace of mind knowing someone I’ve built a trusting relationship with is staying in my home. As a sitter, I’ve also been able to stay longer in places I wanted to see because I’m not paying for a hotel even though there are some extra responsibilities.

70

Aw you guys sound so sweet. So sad to hear what the hurricane did to your area I hope you recover well :sparkling_heart:

71

Ahhhh! My whole family is in palm beach so I’m super familiar with that area since I worked in the resort industry down there. Bummer people gave you a hard time. I lucked out with my first catsitter; hopefully you find someone soon!!

I’ll favourite your listing for future (and I have a car)

Edited to be in line for forum guidelines

72

Omg this two year road trip sounds epic!

73

It was. But the five year voyage round the Atlantic on our 40 foot yacht Ruby Tuesday was the best one so far.

74

I was referring to the lack of healthcare and affordable housing which makes it a difficult place to survive - not the people :slight_smile:

75

I’m on my way! :wink:

76

My second sit, the HO expected me to use my car – they gave me a cover with clips for their harnesses, to place in my back seat. I spent gas going back and forth to the dog run and no compensation. But it was my second sit, I needed the review and I was in FL in March.

77

Wait WUT lol I must find out who u did this with. Sadly no cruises allow cats on a ship (which I always found strange since cats have been considered good luck on vessels since the dawn of time :woman_shrugging:t4:)

78

That was before we seriously got into pet sitting. We only pet sat when we wanted to see some more of the country. The two year road trip was mostly pet sitting.

79

I don’t think I could leave my kitties behind beyond like two months though ugh I would miss them so much

80

I’d feel the same if I had my own dogs.

81

I have a car and generally use it to take dogs for walks in different locations that I want to visit and for variety. This costs money in petrol and wear and tear on the car but that is my choice. However, where a car is essential for dogs to be taken out and not the sitter’s choice, then a car should be provided.