Hello, I’ve recently joined Trusted House Sitters and would like advice from old timers about accepting a sit from someone who has no reviews. I appreciate we all have to start somewhere, but I’m antsy about accepting someone who has no reviews. Any thoughts/advice appreciated!
Thank you.
As you say we all had to start somewhere. References from friends and family will be biased.
I suggest if you get a good vibe about a sitter’s profile you arrange a video or telephone call with them. It will give you both a chance to ask any questions and get a feel for each.
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Whether it’s sitters or owners, it’s about a gut feeling you have about them, not just reviews. Trust your intuition.
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Not “just” reviews?
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That’s what I meant, I’ve changed it 
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No problem I’m having one of my pedant days 
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You said you’ve recently joined so I assume you also have no reviews. When I started as a new sitter my first sit was for a host who was also new. Neither of us had reviews. We had a great virtual chat and both felt comfortable going forward and it was an excellent sit.
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Hello - it is a dilemma both ways. I’m also nervous sometimes about accepting a sit with a first time HO as they may not yet know the ropes of what is expected: mutual win-win, clean house with space to hang clothes and store food in fridge, no undisclosed visits from anyone during the duration of the sit etc, etc.
In my experience HOs sometimes don’t read the guidelines but grow to know them over time as they have more sitters.
The way I approach it (which might be a plan the other way around too) is: do I like the look of the listing? If yes, have a video call to establish it’s a good mutual fit.
One thing that I take into account too is the length and complexity of the sit: a short sit with even a difficult pet is much more manageable than a month, so I tend to avoid applying for those if the HO doesn’t have any reviews. Likewise if you have, say, an easy cat for a long weekend most people will be able to cope.
As others have said - do a video call, say ‘we’re both in the same boat, so let’s ask each other anything we need to know’ and then go with your gut instinct.
Good luck.
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Another thing to keep in mind—if a sitter has done sits, and for whatever reason, none of the owners wrote reviews, it will appear that the sitter is “new” with “no reviews.”
I realize that this is a difficult fact to digest.
Think about it, and proceed with caution.
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Welcome to forum @Havvaharte !
Fellow members with no reviews are sort of a risk for all of us. As a sitter I am also somewhat hesitant to hosts without reviews.
I do however give them a chance, which means that I will read their listing - as I always do - to try to figure out if they get the idea of a mutual exchange, if they understand the sitter point of view and what is expected of them. I think a new host could also do that for a new sitter.
If I don’t get a feeling of a good match from the listing I simply won’t apply. But if I do move forward and apply, I leave it to a videocall to ask, get to know each other and make up my mind if I’m interested. I have pulled out after a videocall, but more often the screening of listings has served me well.
So put in some effort in your listing so experienced sitters with 5* reviews are likely to apply, and at the same time give others the grace you would like to have as a new member.
When you find the sitter you click with and who is a good match, you might find that the number of reviews maybe wasn’t the most important either.
Regardless of * - trust your gut and don’t go forward unless you feel good about it. Not because something is «wrong» with the other party - just because you both need a good match for you.
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You are also new on THS.
So probably two people without reviews.
With good clear communication about expectations before the sit and both willing to learn from each others honest feedback after the sit, I see a chance for a good five stars first review on both sides.
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Do a video chat with them and then go with your gut instinct.