I may or may not find another sitter. It’s not a done deal. When someone makes a commitment and cancels it for no good reason, I believe they should be flagged as irresponsible. I’ve run my own small business for many years and imo, this is unprofessional behavior. It also is a violation of your policy - unless there is some buried info re: time frame of cancellation which I have not seen.
3 Likes
This sitter has confirmed then cancelled. Apologies - I was not clear.
1 Like
PLEASE NOTE: The last cancellation I am referring to was AFTER the sitter had confirmed the sit. Apologies for not being clear.
Thanks for confirming @MrsTwist - I think my original reply above covers this - I don’t think that it’s a violation of policy as there is over 14 days until the sit is due to start. If that’s not correct please let me know as I can check again 
EDIT: I updated my wording to say that I don’t think it’s a violation of policy, based on the information I was able to find, but I wanted to caveat this by saying that Membership Services would be best placed to give accurate advice.
Thank you for clarifying, I hope you find a reliable sitter .
5 Likes
I would really like some clarification on this please. I’ve understood, that canceling a sit without exceptional circummstances is always a violation of policy. So, that’s not true?
Does it mean it is now totally ok for a HO or a sitter ok to cancel a sit for what ever reason, as long as they do it more than 14 days before the sit starts?
If so, I do find it rather worrying!
12 Likes
Hi @CatsAndDog
On reflection, I have updated my wording on this, and put an explanation in bold as to why.
The Forum team aren’t member-facing so we can only go on the information that we either find on the website, or which we get directly from the team.
I am happy to go back to the team and try to clarify things with that in mind, but equally I think that OP would be best to reach out to Membership Services directly for more clarity just to be sure that they get the most up-to-date and accurate advice.
Sorry for any concern about my wording on the above.
I’m not sure if I’ll receive a response before the weekend, but I’ll follow up when I have more information from Membership Services on the topic in general.
Jenny
3 Likes
The help section says this
“ a sit must only be cancelled if both you and the other member agree, or if there are any extraordinary circumstances. If this is not the case and you cancel outside of these terms, an investigation may take place that could result in disciplinary action against your membership.”
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360001746237-Can-I-cancel-a-sit
7 Likes
Thanks @Silversitters - I’ve asked MS for more clarity on the 14 day element just to make sure I’ve understood correctly and that I’m passing over the right info.
I have already communicated w membership services and have not received a satisfactory reply. That’s why I came to this forum
1 Like
Hi @MrsTwist
We have lovely knowledgeable members who can give support, but they can’t take any action on membership enquiries.
The Forum team don’t deal with membership enquiries either, but we do pass along information where we can, and try to seek clarity on behalf of our members if possible.
I will ask someone to review the ticket you have open with MS and let them know that you’re not satisfied by the reply.
Jenny
3 Likes
Also Terms of service that all members agree to … no mention of 14 days ….
5.1.15. only cancel a Sit (or complete a Sit early) if there are extraordinary circumstances and you will immediately notify the Pet Parent or Sitter (as applicable) of this.
5 Likes
Exactly what I read.
2 Likes
It really doesn’t matter. Sounds harsh and unsatisfactory, but this is a matching service between equal partners. Petsitters are paying members just as hosts are. It is not paid, it is not a job, it is not a business transaction. It is voluntary.
If a member pulls out - and if we knew the numbers, I’m pretty sure the hosts would be the members pulling the plug most, leaving the sitter with (large) expenses for travel to a location they often would probably no more need or want to go to - if a member pulls out, what can anyone do? Nothing. You could get an investigation, give a warning, maybe eventually kick someone off the platform. But I can’t force anyone to petsit for me for free if they don’t want to. THS says that all members should have a plan B - also during the sit. Life happens. I must be prepared for that also for excellent reliable sitters. The reason they give or don’t give is less important than getting a sitter. So maybe I dodged a bullet, even. Better they withdraw before the sit than after I’ve left.
IMO. I know - some won’t agree. 
6 Likes
Thank you for your reply @Jenny!
In your first response to @Mrs Twist you said you got the info about membership services, so that’s what made me worry. If that really is the official opinion, it is in a stark contrast with TCs that @Silversitters quoted above.
To be transparent @CatsAndDog - MS did confirm that no action would be taken against a sitter if there was more than 14 days until the sit starts, but they didn’t mention the words about policy violation - that was my interpretation using OP’s words and I edited my post because after reading your feedback I realised I shouldn’t have worded it that way without MS confirming the same. I’m so sorry for any confusion!
As you said, @Silversitters has pulled some quotes from the ToS which don’t mention the 14 days, so I think the right thing is to get that clarity from MS before confirming anything further, just to make sure I’m replying with 100% accuracy. This might also have highlighted that there needs to be additional context added to the ToS around the time frame.
This is likely to be my last response before the weekend unless MS get back to me soon, so please bear with me, and I’ll make sure to come back to you as soon as I’m able to.
I appreciate everyone’s patience and input
4 Likes
@Jenny Are you able to delete this entire thread?
It is sort of a waste of time with the lack of clarity from the beginning.
3 Likes
I agree, it is very misleading. It gives the impression that it is OK to cancel a confirmed sit as long as you give 14 days notice. Very worrying indeed.
6 Likes
Do sitters have a THS mechanism for unaccepting their accepted sits? From many threads on this forum, there have been accounts where HOs have to do the plug pulling even when it’s the sitter who’s actually the party initiating the cancellation.
Yes that would be annoying. Did the sitter actually cancel the sit on THS themselves or did you Unconfirm the sitter based in their communicating to you that they no longer wanted to do the sit? I’m curious if the former is even possible.
1 Like