Suddenly, applications seem different. Is it just us?

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
21

Lots of your points sound good. I don’t think most apply to what was written, what wasn’t written, or the Airbnb link

BUT: more than anything, I was asking if others were seeing the same applications or if this was new. It seems most replies are defending or explaining why we may have gotten this. And now, the thread has veered off to border issues and politics.

I wasn’t questioning her use of off-site reviews and profiles (like linked in or Airbnb). I simply stated it felt like she was using ours sit as a free Airbnb without reciprocation. I find those links can be useful, especially for new sitters who don’t have THS reviews, who also typically include personal references from employers, landlords, long-time friends.. It was the fact that the review mentioned her young kids and when I went back to the profile noticed she was a mom and yet she didn’t mention kids in her bio or intro letter.

My comment about these applicants using THS as free lodging (one saying her parents were visiting from abroad and her place with roommates is too small so she’s looking for a place big enough for a family vacation) was that no attempt was made to say what we get in return Only what they were wanting.

I wrote to two suggesting updates to their profiles, and specifically asked for clarification on who/how many (kids or friends) would be staying and then got no replies. After 24 hours I declined.

Typically those traveling with a friend, kids, or their pets, even as a couple, WRITE it in the intro letter giving us a heads up in case it would cause an issue. We’ve hosted families with children, and welcomed friends.

I totally want our sitters to feel like guests! We want sitters to enjoy their time in our place, community. I try to make it like a welcoming airbnb, leaving brochures, hiking &restaurant recommendations, and special treats, gifts, bathroom supplies, etc! We explain our cat will adjust to their routines not the other way around, etc!we host our sitters for dinner night before (and have offered our place if they need the bridge to their next sit.) I just expect the same attention to them being a great guest, and what I heard from these four applicants had nothing to do with that!

I won’t belabor this.

5 Likes
22

Your questions are all valid @AmyNJoe & like some of the others on here, the most likely cause (IMHO) is misleading marketing. THS keep on promoting the “travel the world for free” message which doesn’t help attract the right kind of animal loving sitter. It does sound as if yours were a particularly colourful bunch of applicants. You need some more HOs on here to answer. #balancedviewpointneeded

3 Likes
23

The advertising is meant to attract the greatest number of members possible, because any outfit that invests $100 million wants to recoup its money, plus make a bunch more.

In reality, there are relatively few people who want to put someone else’s pets first while traveling. So scaling a business as THS is trying to do runs counter to pets’ best interests — there aren’t likely enough good, much less great, potential sitters around.

Just consider as members ourselves, how many people in your own circles would be what you’d consider good sitters. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend most people I know, not because they’re not nice people, but because it takes a special kind of person to put someone else’s pets first (as well as take good care of their homes) when traveling.

And frankly, I don’t know why anyone — potential sitter or host — would be foolhardy enough to sign up without thoroughly reading through all fine print. Just relying on marketing or advertising seems crazy to me, especially if leaving pets and homes to a stranger’s voluntary care.

2 Likes