Review wise, stick with facts. That can help warn off other sitters without hurting you with other potential hosts.
From what you described, your current hosts are creeps. And the fact that you need shelter in an area with limited sits makes you more vulnerable to bad hosts, unfortunately.
I feel for you. That’s a long time still. Are the pets nice and apart from the hosts is it enjoyable? If not surely you could mutually agree to ending before then and apply for another sit? #potentialescape
The dogs are the HOs redemption! They’re awesome. Thank you for helping me turn to gratitude!
I was referring to reviews. The wording is more useful than the star rating. If you get a review that needs to be contested, you don’t have a deadline for your reply but that’s still a long way away. Things may improve. I hope they do.
If you have decided to stay despite the previously undisclosed third parties - own that decision .
It’s a compromise but if it’s one you are willing to make then own it because in return you get in your words “ to live “rent free” while you study for courses for a change in career.” No doubt there are other sacrifices you are making to pursue a change in career . So think of your long term goal and that it will be worth the compromises to achieve that.
Can you go out sight-seeing or to study in a local cafe / library while the other person is at the home ?
Going out has been something we have done when cleaners are around - it gives us the opportunity to go out and stay out for longer than we usually would because the pets are not alone . The cleaners have been happy as we are not in their way . It’s all been amicably agreed between ourselves and worked well for all parties .
Trying to see this from the host’s perspective they maybe don’t want to risk loosing the local sitter by not giving them income for several months while they are away . Yes, they should have disclosed this beforehand but possibly it was an oversight rather than anything malicious/ suspicious.
If you are finding that there are frequent misunderstandings between you and the host - could you change your method of comms ? Is it a language or cultural difference?
When something needs to be discussed would a phone or video call or a voice note result in clearer understanding for both parties ?
good food for thought thanks
Just to add—if you’re studying or working on your own for long periods, it can start to feel a bit draining. It might help to break things up by joining a local group or hopping onto the solo Sitters Zoom call now and then, just to have some interaction and a change of pace.
Regarding ratings, keeping these in mind, and write your review carefully. Plan your rebuttal to their review of you also. It might help to start making notes for each side of this while things are fresh in your mind. If you end up being there the entire 3 months, you will need notes to pull together a well thought out review of the HO and a reply to their review of you.
the Sitter is rated on this:
And the HO is rated on this:
So far, it sounds like you are doing your part but they are not, except for amazing pets which is really important. I hope you can work things out and find a way to make it through the sit.
Thank you!
This looks more like a mess up on the homeowner’s part in communication. It’s expectations in the sense that they didn’t expect you to have a problem wth their violating third party rules because they didn’t understand the exchange in the first place and thaty you’d have some expectation of privacy.
Personally, I don’t see a twice weekly person who knows the dog and works with the dog doing dropbys 2 x a week as an inherent dealbreaker even if does violate 3rd party, so if they’d presented it similar to a cleaner coming in or a gardener, before confirmation, you could have declined or negotiated and discussed to set up some ground rules.
I get your anger and frustration after 3 months of this stuff, but I would advise you strongly in your review to leave all emotion out and give a factual account of what happened – something that ideally could offer something that the homeowners could take responsibility for (if they chose) and learn from for future sits, and that would also warn future sitters about what to ask and consider. The facts speak for themselves. Other people can draw conclusions based on what happened.
Thanks! The visits were not agreed upon before confirming (2 months b4 date of sit). Yes, I would’ve at least had the choice of decline/negotiate. I am here most of my time studying, so yes it does feel an invasion of privacy. It’s not a huge house, yard, etc. I receive blatant disrespect from them. I just don’t like their treatment so keeping communication to pix for updates.
I guess I’m a little confused as to who is coming and how frequently.
Yes, HO should have disclosed they intend to have a 3rd party come by once or twice a week to scoop up the yard, and there could have been an agreement up front.
At this point though the 3rd party is no longer undisclosed so I confused as to why there is still confusion about how frequently they are coming. I would just settle that once and for all, if it hasnt been.
It may be annoying but unless she is hanging around all day (and if she is a paid worker I doubt that she is) I would let it go, especially if she is doing something useful like picking up poop.
I do understand there seem to be other ongoing concerns that are piling up, so all you can do at this point is leave a factual review.
Glad the dogs are great!
Thanks! Yes, it’s all a little confusing. I am taking all under consideration.
As someone who has a propane tank at my house, I can see how this can happen if i simply forget to check before I leave town. Is the two day delay in refilling the tank a purposeful choice by the homeowner or simply as quick as the propane company could get there? Your chosen words of “they allowed the propane to go empty” sound presumptuous. Was the contact info for Propane in the welcome guide? Where I live there are probably five different companies that I have the numbers for so we don’t wait long when we do run out. I’m not sure if this should be part of your frustration with THEM personally if it wasn’t done in a purposeful manner to make you uncomfortable. Can you elaborate on this topic? Also, I assume that they had an account w/ the propane co. and you didn’t have to pay for this. It sounds like there was also some weather that might impede service or access? I’m pointing this out just so you put some thought into it before deciding to put it into your review, because if there are reasonable circumstances surrounding this incident that explain why it occurred, then maybe you leave this out.
Thanks for the perspective
Thank you for the hugs!!
…after some time and hearing from neighbors and talking with the next propane dude, it was an irresponsibility on their part but “they’d never admit that” to me. See, they are telling folks one thing then me another. @MTBer thanks for the input. 3.5 weeks left! Woot woot!
@Jenny @Felinelover @Marion @Cuttlefish @GotYourBack @silversitters @smiley @cuttlefish Hi! Circling back 3.5 weeks out from the end! But who’s counting hahaha. The HOs mistreatment makes more sense to me now that I’ve gotten to know their (awesome) neighbors. Not a gab sesh (ish?) but picking up on who these folks really are. I am too tired to go into details. Let’s just say I’ve learned a lot haha. I definitely don’t want another of our THS sitters to come here.
So! I could use some help regarding the review process. This is my only experience- of 30+ sits - that has me a bit nervous. Shall I definitely give a review to be proactive and remain objective? or Leave out my review and only respond to theirs? or If they do not review me, do the same?
I do this full time.
Thanks guys!
Makes me want to continue doing short sits. Ugh!
That’s fair!!
