Yessssss!! Just what I thought a SCAM! This sitter should have known that NO MONEY is to be transferred from HO to sitter & also they should have known that travel fees are the sitter’s responsibility not the HO, then the fact that the sitter waited until 2300 the night before the sit to inform the home owner that they haven’t paid for their travel plans and to ask for money to help pay for it? NAW THAT’S A SCAM. This homeowner needs to reach out to customer service with all the information from the scam bag and have them removed from this platform.
3 Likes
I assume these scammers got booted off the system?
So sorry this happened. From other advice I’ve seen on this forum, if at first you don’t succeed with getting them to step up in some way and do something, keep trying. And go very public.
2 Likes
I’m sorry this happened to you. One thing I feel that should be common practice, is if the sitter is flying in, we should be able to require proof of flight purchase at least 21 days in advance of expected arrival date. Anyone think that would be unreasonable?
6 Likes
@Maggie5859 if this is a requirement for you then you should add it to your listing and then only sitters happy to do this will apply .
5 Likes
@Maggie5859 Welcome to the Forum!
If flying for a sit, (after sit confirmation), I immediately book my flight and send the flight itinerary (departure/return times) to the HOs. And if the HOs are flying, I ask them to also forward me their flight itinerary. This has worked for me.
4 Likes
OMG….I can’t even imagine this happening and so sorry to hear that you were subjected to this kind of behavior from a sitter. Reading about these types of situations just saddens me. How can anyone be so irresponsible, when they’ve committed to something that has such an impact on the HO? I truly hope you find a solution and your holiday isn’t canceled.
Yes, I am a sitter who commit way in advance. I have had a homeowner cancel on me after I have bought my non-refundable long haul flight ticket. Though I would not like to see proof of ticket as requirement, it is indeed reassuring to know that both parties are committed.
2 Likes
I think it’s a great idea. Anytime sitters were flying to my sit, either they sent me proof or gave me their information without my asking and I believed them. I would still “trust” someone if they simply told me, but this – especially if the THS mail system could assist with a prompt – would be idea.