That’s a good idea. Maybe say, “I am so sorry this has come to pass but we’re committed to the protections provided by the platform. If you no longer wish to be a member, we will have to cancel this sit and use our backup option.”
I would opt for this option (splitting the cost) if I were the HO - assuming this sitter has good reviews and you have the feeling she’s a good fit.
My 27 y o daughter let her membership lapse bc of funds but she adores animals and is very responsible and while she’s not penniless, there just are too many other demands on her money at this time and she had to cut back somewhere. Mind you she wouldn’t leave someone in a lurch like this either - I’m just saying it doesn’t disqualify a sitter neccesarily.
Yes, the low funds were concerning to me when I thought it was the 129USD that the sitter could not afford. It turned out that they had the combined premium membership, which is 400USD, and they hadn’t budgeted that into their trip.
Most of the sitters I’ve hosted have been nomadic seasonal workers or work from home types. I think many people use it to save money on rent, which I support.
Thank you (and everyone) for your advise!
I had considered offering to pay for a portion of their sit, but only because I usually leave a gift card for sitters.
Ultimately, they did renew their membership. There was some confusion about renewing because the sitter had a combined membership, which costs 400USD. We advised to renew to basic pet sitter; the sitter said they hadn’t realized they could do that.
I never got confirmation if THS would cover a canceled sit due to a sitter membership lapse. They first offered to give our sitter 20% off to renew their membership, so that’s what the sitter did & chose the basic sitter plan.
Hoping everything goes smoothly. 
The sitter has a few reviews, which are all positive. I’m just not feeling at ease due to all the drama we had to sort out the day before the sit.
Lesson I learned is that I will ask sitters to send a screenshot of their membership renewal date for all future sits. 
That’s great it has worked out @DINKWAD and hopefully, the sit will go well. You have helped your sitter with advice re just choosing the basic plan plus they got a 20% discount.
The same issue can happen to sitters and this has been raised on the forum too where it is the owner who has not renewed their membership but expects the sitter to still do the sit. Maybe sitters need to ask for a screenshot of the owner’s membership renewal date too!
Or maybe THS should show it on the profile/ listing page !
@DINKWAD thank you for updating the forum . Happy that it has all worked out for both of you. It’s quite understandable that the sitter didn’t want to renew at $400 for just the one sit .
- You can mark this thread as solved
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This is a great idea @Silversitters ; I’m pinging @Jenny in hopes she’ll forward it to the relevant THS folks.
Better still @Silversitters!
This was eye-opening ot me as I had not realized the combined premium membership was so expensive. Now I understand why so many members focus on those free months and discounts - a much bigger deal for combined premium vs. basic sitter.
If THS cared about customer experience, each members’ membership expiration date would be listed next to their names on their profiles or listings.
I’m glad it all worked out for you. It’s often a leap of faith with sitting.. that it won’t get cancelled and it’s locked in. Sadly I had a HO cancel the night before. Luckily I had family I could stay with until I found accommodation.
As a HO you have the same leap of faith that the sitter will be reliable and you can trust they will follow through with the commitment they’ve made. I’m not a HO on THS but plan to be one.
That’s where the ratings are helpful, but I think a video chat is even better, so you can know each other’s plans in advance. Knowing a sitter has travel and flight plans is reassuring. Similarly, knowing the HO has arranged a holiday or a trip away, is confirmation to the sitter. It offers peace of mind to both parties, that the booking is secure, in my experience