This website does not protect sitters

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
1

I want to share my experience because I believe this website is extremely unfair to sitters.

Even though sitters often stay for free, pet sitting is a huge responsibility, and the main benefit always goes to the pet owners. House sitting apps were originally meant for home exchanges and mutual help, but in reality, many pet owners treat free sitters as if we are paid staff.

Pet owners are almost never fully satisfied just like parents leaving their children at daycare, they are rarely happy. But they often fail to realize that we are doing this without pay. We are not professionals by trade, yet we give our absolute best in everything we do.

I provide extremely careful and responsible pet sitting. I clean the house thoroughly, take care of the pets with love, and send daily updates to show that everything is fine. I truly put my heart into it and do everything I can to make the experience smooth and safe.

Despite my dedication, this owner blocked me without a single word and left a 2star review. The main issue was her awning it loosened in the wind, so I carefully removed it to prevent further damage and even sent her photos in real time. If she had read my messages, she would have understood. Instead, she assumed I caused damage and left a harsh review without any communication.

I am deeply hurt. I am someone who values communication, and a simple conversation could have resolved everything. Instead, I was blocked and judged unfairly.

This website does not protect sitters. The moment an owner is dissatisfied, we get a bad review that can prevent future opportunities, regardless of the care and effort we put in. All the time, effort, and love we give can be completely wasted.

I have handled extremely challenging situations caring for multiple pets, including dogs and cats with behavioral issues, and dealing with difficult owners.

and I always do my absolute best. I truly provide high quality care that often exceeds what paid sitters offer.

This incident has been extremely disappointing and hurtful. Reviews should not be given unilaterally without communication. I can no longer continue house sitting on this account because of how unfair and emotionally damaging this experience was…

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2

I’m so sorry you have had this outcome after being a very caring and diligent sitter @Heeju. You are able to respond to the review given by this owner so I suggest you do. Clearly explain the reason for the removal of the awning and that you sent her photos when you did it. Do not let your emotions influence your response. Just be factual showing you acted responsibly in the windy conditions. Future owners will see that response and see you were proactive in avoiding possible damage to the awning.

Don’t let this one owner stop you from doing something you love and are good at. There are so many owners out there who will appreciate you.

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3

I’m sorry to read that you have had a bad experience and a poor review. I understand your reasons for being upset and disappointed, but, I cannot share your opinion that “Pet owners are almost never fully satisfied just like parents leaving their children at daycare, they are rarely happy.” Please don’t let your one bad sit cloud your judgement, most house and pet owners are nice people that are delighted in the care provided by sitters.

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4

There’s another side to this story.

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5

Disappointment and hurt aside, you do have a chance to reply to their review.

The HO blocked you. Fine, let that go, no need to rehash things with them if they aren’t interested in hearing your reasons in a private manner. You’ll look professional and cool headed if you write an unemotional reply explaining what happened.

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6

Yes, of course. Everyone has their own perspective. But I think it’s incredibly unfair to give such a blatant rating without any communication. That hurt me the most.

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7

I would have never removed it without permission from the homeowner. It is their house and their decision, not yours. A simple text to them that the awning is blowing in strong winds and would you like me to remove it for its safety. Maybe they would have said no, it always blows like that. You did not say that you reattached the awning before you left and it is in working condition. Did you? Some are not easy to put back up. Some are expensive and some are installed at delivery.

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8

Perhaps use this example from my own recent experience as a homeowner who came home to a house that stank of dog urine, we found dog feces under beds, urine under couches.. dried out and dying plants that were clearly not watered enough, filthy pool that was not skimmed nor cleaned with the robot vacuum as instructed, dirty animal cages that clearly weren’t cleaned at all, damaged screen door from our large dog trying to get inside since the front door was apparently closed, cutting off the dog door.

We said nothing to her. What would be the point? She was clearly an irresponsible slob that is unwilling/unable to follow the detailed instructions we provided during the walk through that were also in the Welcome Guide.

I dropped her off at the train station and wished her well, knowing I’d never have her back in my home.

However, in our case, we left her a 5 star review, for reasons that are probably beyond the scope of this post.

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9

It can only be called “TrustedHouseSitters” if reviews are honest and factual. Leaving a 5 stars review that isn’t deserved just leaves future pet owners at risk.

“I dropped her off at the train station and wished her well, knowing I’d never have her back in my home.”

But she will be in someone else’s home without prior knowledge of the risks.

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10

I left a 5 star review for a 2 star sir because:

That sitter had multiple 5 star reviews. My guess is prior hosts were reluctant to express their dissatisfaction in a review, so future hosts such as me were unaware.

I’m not going to be that one host who ruins a sitters perfect record and sounds like a whiny complainer, and other sitters who read reviews I left may decide to steer clear lest they too be the subject of what they consider to be an undeserved poor review.

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11

That does a major disservice to other hosts.

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12

This goes both ways. Sitters can also leave a poor review for HO’s. We all risk that happening to us - sometimes fairly and sometimes unfairly. It is a gamble we all take by becoming members of a platform where there is an exchange between virtual strangers. It won’t always be perfect.

The important thing for both sitters AND owners is TO LEAVE POLITE BUT HONEST REVIEWS or else we damage the whole purpose of reviews and are dishonest towards future sitters and hosts.

I think we all know there are some things that are subjective…like the words “clean” and “tidy”.

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13

@idocsteve - did you read the sitters reviews before inviting her? Don’t you wish the previous HO’s had been more honest and saved you the misery of having an irresponsible sitter? So by also leaving 5 stars you’ve put a future HO in the same position you were just in.

IMO this is a disservice to the community and we all suffer because of it.

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14

Previous reviews were all stellar and indicated no issues with this sitter, as I stated.

I also said that I don’t believe all those 5 star reviews were accurate, and I was done no favors by previous hosts.

I agree, leaving false positive reviews isn’t good for the community as a whole but serves a useful purpose for the host, as I explained in a prior post.

15

You left a disgusting sitter like that a 5 star review! Words fail me.

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16

It wasn’t an easy thing to do. I debated with myself for a week.At first I wasn’t going to leave a review but I’ve read that sitters who don’t leave sitter reviews aren’t viewed in a positive way.

17

Oh come on. Reviews are the currency of THS and you just ripped us off.

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18

That’s exactly how I felt about all the prior hosts who left 5 star exemplary reviews for this careless, irresponsible sitter.

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19

I’m lost. You were angry with previous HOs who’d left five-star reviews for this appalling sitter….. But you then did the same thing….?!

Oh, wait! This is satire…….! Doh!

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20

@idocsteve I find it truly unbelievable that you consciously and deliberately gave a 5* review to a terrible sitter!! IMHO That is the height or irresponsibility and disrespect towards your fellow hosts and also very irrational! What is the point of reviews if you lie? It’s also a complete insult to all of us excellent caring sitters who sometimes, unfairly, get less than stellar, reviews (like the OP) Your reasoning for doing this- fear of breaking the sitters perfect 5* record (!!!)- is (to me) cowardly!!! You have now set up the next host to have a terrible experience. One can only hope they will have the guts to tell the truth and break this cycle…

(I dont know why part is in italics..)

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