I do love the “camera reactive” expression. I can visualize the owner barking at you like mad. Congratulations, @KChev, you should get an award of some kind for creating such a powerful image and so context appropriate. It comes with territoriality reference and all.
That said, I am afraid some readers of reviews may not be so appreciative of this so I think you’re right about sticking to the tone and attitude but also some sort of factual reference to their use of the camera.
I am not the best at writing nice reviews that refer to negative facts and I am sure that you will get good advice. I think they don’t deserve 5 stars in hospitality.
Regarding the remaining of the sit, I would make the best of it and, if there’s no further comment in that tone, I would not go back to that conversation. If they keep mistreating you, I would then follow @Maggie8K’s strategy.
I’d be fuming not feeling uncomfortable. I don’t think it’s acceptable for them to speak to you like that & be monitoring movements. I’d raise it in the review - future sitters need to be forewarned.
Definitely raise it in the reviews. Future sitters should know if they will be ‘camera reactive’ and monitoring them. Especially in the backyard. (We would not sit for a HO if we say this in the reviews). Switch tones with them, mix it up and make it more friendly. If they continue to be rude, reach out to THS and see what they want you to say to them. Not really grounds for 24 hours to find an alternate sitter.
Speaking of which, we have had two sits that we had to leave early. THS specifically told us that while they say 24 hours to find an alternate sitter, they really mean, let the HO accept to this and once they find an alternate sitter, you may leave within 24 hours.
We were told this and changed our wording of a leaving note to a HO to give them 60 hours to find an alternate sitter (to which they did and the dogs were picked up within 9 hours). THS really wants sitters to allow ample time for HO to find alternate care. In their mind, the welfare and well being of the animal is of utmost importance. So if you were to give a homeowner 24 hours and they couldn’t find a sitter, THS would blame the sitter for not giving them more time. (Just our experience and what we were told in the midst of dealing with our two situations of us leaving a sit)
Given you have over 100 5 star reviews I’d say you’re able to give notice to the owner that you’re leaving without concern of negative repurcussions. If they leave you a bad review to the backdrop of over 100 good ones it would be apparent they’re the a**hole. No sitter should have to tolerate this sort of attitude or behaviour.
Sorry you’ve experienced this. The owner sounds entitled, and personally I’d make plans to leave otherwise they’ll probably repeat it with the next person.
Probably mention the presence of cameras and that they were disclosed upfront, and describe the monitoring behavior without adding emotional language?
Something in the line of: “The property has surveillance cameras, which were disclosed at the beginning of the stay. The owner monitored and sent messages regarding the dog’s time in the garden.”
If you feel like it, one could add something like: «While I understand the owner’s concern for their pet, the level of monitoring and the tone of the messages were unexpected».
Or something more indirect: «The house was well-maintained, and the dog was a joy to care for. However, future sitters should be aware of the owner’s monitoring practices."
Sorry you’ve had to be on the receiving end of quite impolite language. The ‘camera reactive’ comment is the perfect way to make potential sitters aware of being monitored. As for their tone, I’d word it along the lines of
‘X benefits from long and frequent walks to burn off energy otherwise this can be exhibited in overly affectionate behaviour towards soft furnishings. Also, cameras outside are monitored by the owner who was quick to brusquely tell me that they had seen something of concern, which, they had mistakenly interpreted”.
You’re clearly a wonderful sitter, so remember all of those 5* reviews you have and let this sit fade away.
It sounds to me that these HOs think you are their servant and not their equal! Who do they think they are talking to? I don’t blame you for feeling upset, i would be absolutely furious. This kind of message sours the relationship, have they said that the dog can’t go out in the garden? Do they expect you to leave the door open when its winter?
Oh man, I’m appalled by that, and it takes a lot to appall me. With your reviews you’re golden — I think maybe that HO should be a bit concerned about what you’ll have to say. A big apology is in order. Please warn other sitters.
Appalling, really.
They probably get a ping when there is movement in the back. Now you know at least. I doubt there is much you can do about this other than note it on your review in a factual manner. While it’s best not to go into too much detail about how this made you feel, you might add something simple like: I felt very uncomfortable and cannot recommend this sit.
OP, it’s also fair to say that the tone of the check-in wasn’t in the spirit of the platform, especially given the situation was clearly a misunderstanding as acknowledged by the HO.
As another responder has mentioned, it’s definitely worth running your draft through ChatGPT.
Kudos on 100+ 5* reviews.
External cameras identified in the listing are all good. Common in our housesits, especially in higher value properties/communities.
I’d agree with Maggie8k, start with the desired outcome. If want to continue sit, presumably the case, then encourage redefine acceptable boundaries with Pet Parent. Remote interference is micromanaging. Nonsense, not trust. Especially from highly experienced housesitter. Please mention honestly in review.
The external security cameras, although disclosed, were utilized as real time monitors. This at times triggered the owners’ immediate texts that had a reprimanding and instructional tone.
When characterizing tone and such, it leaves people to wonder whether the writer might be overly sensitive, etc. That’s why quoting the host’s offensive message is more damning in this case.
I always ask if there are cameras in or around the house so I don’t get weird surprises like this. Not that I would do anything different but at least you know they are there. Once the sit is over I would let HO know how it made you feel.
