I say that, because that’s when any sitter has the greatest leverage — before a sit starts.
Once they’ve arrived to start a sit and are unpleasantly surprised, relatively few feel empowered to say anything or to leave. And by the time they’ve done the sit, they’re just glad to have it over with. Many sitters have posted to this effect.
With folks who lack courage to be direct, they often gloss things over. These sitters clearly weren’t happy with the sit, despite what they told the host. So I would put little or no credence in that. And note that this OP says these sitters gave five stars to other hosts. How likely is it that you think they randomly decided that vs. three stars for the OP?
Again, this host can just continue doing their usual drill, but that risks a repeat with another sitter, which would hurt them. I’d ask why opt for that path? Sending a welcome guide early — one that’s already been done — doesn’t require any effort. So why not?
2 Likes
As others have suggested, I would respond to their review. I would thank them for the positive words and say you would have appreciated some feedback so you could improve any shortcomings for future sitters.
I don’t think this will have a big impact in applications. It wouldn’t for me anyway. I hate when people do this and I don’t give much importance to those reviews. I would just perhaps be more careful about asking questions but I would give your sit a chance. I would ask for the welcome guide in advance but I always do anyway.
1 Like
We’re all puzzled and now acting like inspectors lol. A few thoughts:
- Did you give them the bedroom that was shown in the listing? Sometimes a pet parent will show the master bedroom but then give the sitter a different room with a different (more uncomfortable) bed
- Did you give them closet space?
- Was the house clean?
- Did you leave them refrigerator/freezer room for their groceries?
- Did you leave food that was about to go bad?
- Does the house have a bad odor?
If any of these were below their expectations, that’s what they might mean about 4/5 for hospitality. 3/5 for communication seems odd as well unless you communicated too much and they didn’t want to feel micromanaged. These are all just guesses on my part. If you’ve had other great reviews, I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ve seen listings with horrible reviews and the pet parents still get applications. If they wrote positively but docked you stars, I would assume future sitters will still apply
There appear to be sitters who apply for almost anything — even sits that are held up in astonishment among sitters on the forum.
The key thing I’d focus on if I were a host: Am I getting the best, most discerning sitters, or do my listing and reviews set me up to attract iffy applicants? If the latter, then a host could be taking in greater risks with sitters.
As most of us recognize: Not all hosts or sitters are equal in quality. That’s why it’s important to get consistently good reviews — to better our odds of mutually strong future sits.
1 Like
What an awful experience, avidtraveller. I hope that you left them and apprpriate, detailed and hoest review re: the “hidden” damage, the mess and the ransacking of your kitchen. Sounds like their lack of a review might have been a hopeful, “Out of sight. Out of mind.” with the intent that you would either not notice or not mention their many shortcomings.
To me (and most people from what I can gather), 5 stars is the norm if you are happy with the other party.
So I was surprised the other day to see on this forum that one sitter wished everyone would rate only 4 stars if they were happy, and only rate 5 stars if they were blown away by the other party being exceptionally fantastic!
So I guess everyone’s different. And it’s a shame they are too cowardly to reply to you. One thing I have found works great though is if you mention to the other party while either still on the sit or at the end, that reviews are important and that you will leave them a 5 star review. I have never asked for a 5 star review, but once I tell them I will leave them a 5 star review they have always said they will do the same. (Works with Uber too! …Did you know passengers get reviews as well?!)
Good luck!
1 Like
I never tell anyone that I’m going to give them a five-star review. That would sway reviews or create pressure, potentially lead to glossed-over reviews, which hurt future sitters’ or hosts’ decision-making.
To me, reviews should reflect how a sit turned out, and that might be different from the host’s and sitter’s perspectives.
2 Likes
Forgot to say I only mention reviews for sits I was very pleased with!
but yes I understand what you’re saying.
1 Like
