Hi! I’m new to the THS community and I am feeling so frustrated. The service was recommended to me by 2 people who have had good experiences, so I know they exist, but mine so far has been poor. I have had 2 sitters cancel for a sit that is happening in 3 days. The first sitter we booked 8 weeks in advance, had a video call, she was well reviewed and I felt really confident in having her stay at my home and watch my dog. She cancelled 10 days before the sit was scheduled, claiming “scheduling difficulties and family commitments”. I reported this to THS as it does qualify to me as an extraordinary circumstance.
Luckily we had 5 new applications come in within the next 48 hours. I had a video call with a new highly reviewed sitter. I explained that I was so thankful to her taking this on last minute as my previous sitter had cancelled. She seemed great and again I had no qualms about leaving my home/dog in her hands. She canceled 4 days before the sit claiming “she has a cold that she can’t seem to kick”. ?!? I know being sick is awful, but most colds will resolve within that time frame anyways, and honestly if she had said to me you know I’m not feeling great, your dog may not get a full walk, I could have certainly worked with that. Having a cold is not extraordinary, that is daily life. Again I reported this to THS, who “made a note on her file” and reminded her to the code of ethics. She ended up messaging me the next day (3 days before the sit) saying she was feeling better and could do it if we hadn’t found anyone new. I simply can’t agree to that as the trust with this person has been broken.
So - my question to the community, is this common?! I am feeling frustrated that there is no way of vetting whether sitters have cancelled in the past. I feel that if there is a cancellation that does not meet the “extraordinary circumstances” through the THS code of conduct, there should be an automated review on the persons profile simply stating “X cancelled the sit 8 days before it began”. This would provide owners some assurances if there are no such reviews, and would also dissuade sitters from cancelling. There are no repercussions for sitters cancelling! At least if there are less than 2 weeks notice.
Beginning to lose faith in what I thought was an excellent option for travellers and animal owners!
People can cancel for a variety of reasons of course. The one I think is despicable is because they’ve now found something more attractive to sit somewhere else! I don’t know how often that is the cause of course.
I actually like stepping in to do last min cancellation sits. The owners are usually especially grateful. It keeps me feeling lively and adventurous.
It’s like those people who pack a case and turn up at the airport, not knowing which destination they will end up at, taking advantage of others cancelled travel plans.
To be cancelled on twice is very unusual I suspect. Try not to take it personally.
The odds of further cancellations happening must be very small indeed unless your pet is King Kong.
Unfortunately I think these things are becoming more common as THS has ‘expanded’. You’ll see even more of them reported via the FB ‘unofficial’ site which isn’t monitored by THS admins.
I use THS as a sitter but, personally, as a single homeowner with a ‘not so extensive’ network of friends and family who I would want to bother to step in at a minutes notice as a ‘Plan B’ to care for pets in the case of cancellation I wouldn’t use THS as a HO. It’s just too stressful.
so sorry to hear this. Have you been able to readvertise on the site? Where in the world are you, as there may be someone on here who can help you, even at this late stage.?
That does sound a bit dodgy. Did you cancel the sit immediately and re-list? If so, I’d guess that she was hoping to secure another sit, but perhaps failed to do so.
I think not, otherwise THS would not be as successful as it clearly is. You’ve just been very unlucky. Going forwards, opt for sitters with lots of 5 star reviews.
Please remember, this can and does happen with hosts too.. Everyone should have a Plan B to fall back on, just in case.
It sounds as if your sit is very much in demand, which has to be a positive thing. please don’t despair - re-post your sit and also use the ‘last minute sits’ facility on here: Last Minute Sits - TrustedHousesitters Community Forum
I would call the 2nd sitter and have a conversation with her. She could have had a 24 hour virus that hits you like a ton of bricks. She could have felt so bad physically that day that she thought it was either dangerous to drive to you or the airline might not let her on the flight. She may of thought canceling was the responsible thing to do. Then the next day the virus is gone. I am a person who hardly ever gets sick. I remember getting a 24 hour virus once. If you are not use to getting sick you experience this differently not realizing it will leave as quickly as it came on. She did email you the next day and said she would sit. I would call her and just ask if she thinks she is up for the task and see how you feel after the conversation.
We’re sitters and we’ve completed 38 sits with THS and 3 via a different website, and we have NEVER EVER cancelled, and we’ve enjoyed every one of them. There are a huge number of fantastic sitters on THS, it’s such a shame the odd bad one exists, or two in your case.
This was probably the case more often before the unpopular product update that meant sitters can’t “double-book.” I had a sitter cancel a couple of years ago – last minute – and I later saw the review that they had double-booked and taken another sit in my city that was a little longer. They also gave me a b.s. excuse that the litter gave them asthma but they would be willing to do dropins for pay to “help me out.” (I turned the sitter down. I had another “plan B” and was also able to secure another sitter.)
This could still happen under some circumstances with the new system but it’s somewhat mitigated.
Sitters and Owners should not cancel unless something really extreme happens— in the hospital or other serious injury or health issue, death in the family.
In your case, do you know that you do not have to select a Sitter among the first 5 applicants? You can decline some or all of the first 5, unpause your listing, and get more applicants.
Make sure that you choose a Sitter(s) who appear to be very unlikely to cancel. We have NEVER cancelled and have done over 30 Sits in the past 3 years on THS, repeats, and through other avenues.
When we make a commitment, it is very solid. Too bad there is no “flake meter” out there!
Welcome to forum, @murphysmom ! Sorry you had this experience starting out!
I think it is not very common to have two cancellations, I have at least never cancelled, although I did get ill on one sit. Thankfully it was a cat sit with no special needs. I would however probably have stayed at home if I had been ill before the sit. It was «a flu» but I was very ill and in bed for several days.
All members, sitters and hosts should have a plan B. I have had several hosts that wanted to change sit dates, which would impose added cost to me, and I wasn’t willing to pay more to look after their pet. They managed to get a friend to cover for excess days, so no problem. It seems from forum that hosts in regard to cancellations and alterations are more flaky than sitters, and would be more prone to get the automated reviews that you suggest.
It could be just a coincidence with two cancellations. It might though also be tweaks that could be done to your listing that would attract other sitters. Experienced sitters have key factors they look for, and sometimes a listing is lacking in that regard. Many sitters also look at how the host come across. It could be easier for others to see and give input on this.
If it is less than 7 days to sit you are allowed to publish your sit also here on forum in the Last minute section.
I got Covid during a sit as did my wife also on the sit. Fortunately I recovered quickly and could continue the onerous duties caring for multiple dogs on an estate. Part of the deal was we had a cleaner. She didn’t come to help as she was worried she might catch it. Fair enough. It was a struggle. It was a repeat sit and owners had cancelled their subscription to THS but had our contact details.
I’ve just had a housesit where I endured a power cut and outages but got a review this time saying I carried on regardless.
In my review I mentioned I’d jumped in for a last min cancellation. Such details in reviews shows Home Owners you try to do your best in difficult situations. That to me is a big recommendation. I put the animal welfare high on my list.
In any interaction there are people who behave badly.
My best advice to you: Look for “red flags” and trust your gut instinct.
There are also unexpected circumstances.
And both Sitters & Home/Pet Owners come in all types.
We are VERY experienced. We have been HO needing sitters, and been sitters.
The VAST majority of our experiences in North America, UK, EU have been lovely.
BUT we have experienced both unforutante situations AND inconsiderate people.
We had a retired couple agree to do a sit for us, visit our home, met our dog.
We had a beatiful home in a sought after location.
Our trip was for 25 days on another continent.
ONE WEEK before the sit they cancelled by E-Mail with a flimsy excuse.
We luckily got another sitter.
Another sitter asked for the use of our car: we only asked that they pick us up from the train station: they left us waiting for an hour because they wanted to run some errands.
BUT the BIG thing? Our home was occuped (no thefts, no unknown emergencies) our pets were cared for - we were thankful.
As Sitters? HO have had to unexpectedly change dates for things out of their control.
We have adjusted to flights delays, weather changes, etc because some things aren’t predictable.
BUT we have also had HO think nothing of changing their dates after we made travel arrangements - wanting to leave on a different date & thus not wanting us to come on the day agreed to, or an adult child deciding to stay in their childhood home 3 days before the end of a sit & demanding we leave, etc all of which resulted in significant unexpected expense.
We have had couples who give conflicting instructions and HO who never get their Welcome Guide done… HO who neglect to mention that the bathroom floods or that there is major roadwork resulting in long waits to leave/get back to the home every day…
AND home/pet owners who have become wonderful friends!
So, again, all kinds of people in the system. Just like in any organization.
The only advice I can give you is as I wrote to start: keep in mind that there are all types of people in this system: read between the lines of reviews; trust your gut instinct!
Sorry this has happened to you. Personally I think it’s important for any THS member to realise that cancellations may happen to anyone, at any time, by either sitter or owner.
There are of course legit reasons, and then there are not so legit reasons that aren’t very fair or nice (for which there can be consequences - being reported & removed from the platform) but they do happen nonetheless, and once it’s happened there’s nothing much you can do but move on and find another sitter (or sit, if you’re a sitter). As THS is a mutual & free exchange, not a paid job with locked in contracts or a sitter supply agency with guaranteed sitters/sits, it’s important for any member to understand the program they’re choosing and always have a backup plan in case something happens
Totally agree. I travel in a Campervan as my vehicle so can have a plan B at little extra expense. It’s great for filling in gaps between sits too. I’m staying with friends in the area of the next sit so I just have to drive an hour to start. Planning is all but never expect it to go to plan!
Welcome @murphysmom
Sorry your first experiences with THS have been so poor. As a sitter with 25 sits to my name I have never cancelled and never would unless I was seriously ill or a family death.
I’d be inclined to reach out to the 2nd sitter as others have suggested and see even at this late stage they’d be willing to do the sit for you. Good luck.
You have every right to feel the way you do, I would feel the same. I sure hope going forward you have better success and can actually see the benefit of the sitters who commit and follow through.
@murphysmom, welcome to THS and THS Forum. Others have already given great advice. Thought add tuppence, as a ~40x housesitter, that your experience is very uncommon.
We’ve faced two last-minute cancellations from Pet Parents. Alas life does happen.
Support @Garfield encouragement to have a Plan B.
Support @ASASG advice to conduct due diligence (eg. video calls) and to give respect to your gut instinct if red flags are evident.
Lastly, in case you are not aware then THS Premium Membership includes Sit Cancellation Insurance - for both Pet Parents and housesitters. While it does have quirks and is not a substitute then it can help. https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360015619898-What-is-the-Sit-Cancellation-Plan
I have been a member for 3 years and had 3 sitters book and canc.. very annoying. I also had been recommended THS but every time I list it takes forever for any sitter to come forward, in my opinion does not give air of confidence to ‘when’ and ‘if’ a sitter applies. Considering the amount of sitters out there, though I have noticed many have inactivated their account. Maybe there is a competitor out there. I have listed 2 weeks ago (admittedly not away until end of May) Not one sitter, maybe 3 ‘saved’ listing (tbh don’t know what that’s all about). My subscription was automatically renewed. This could be the last year I use THS. Still waiting with anticipation
You have some great reviews @Lynneive & Squid looks cute. If you’re not getting many applications why don’t you try changing your cover pic to a cute one of Squid and also listing how long he can be left for, where he sleeps, what time he gets up, how long the two walks are & where the sitter will sleep. I know THS tell you to write about yourself but that intro would be much more appealing if it said “Come & enjoy hanging out with Squid near pretty Chichester & enjoy country walks, good pubs and our comfy home. We are Lynne & Colin and we enjoy having THS sitters to stay whilst we travel & visit friends and family.” That sounds a lot more welcoming. If you pause it, make the tweaks and then repost you should go to the top of the pile too which may help! Why did your three sitters cancel? Were they all confirmed? Was there a pattern? #wishingyoumoreapplications
We ‘save’ listings when we’re interested but want to come back to check out the listing again after we’ve scheduled other sits within a reasonable driving distance, or if we’d like to apply at some other time (i.e. when we already have a confirmed sit for the advertised period).
The suggestions made by @Cuttlefish are spot-on; Squid looks gorgeous and your home looks nice and organised and clean, but your wording is matter-of-fact and lacks warmth. At the end of the day, sitters are looking to connect with HOs on some level, so make your listing stand out a bit more (visually, by re-ordering your pics) and think about how you can portray yourselves as more welcoming. I’m sure you’ll get applicants after a few minor listing tweaks.
