I really wish sitters could get access to the welcome guide prior to confirming the sit. I think it should be made available in between the HO confirming and the sitter accepting.
It seems to be fairly frequent that sitters get surprises in the welcome guide and often sitters feel like they can’t cancel because they would be cancelling a confirmed sit. It puts sitters in a really difficult position.
I recently received two welcome guides with surprises. One has a pet with a medical condition that was not mentioned in the listing or the virtual chat. The other is a winter sit and the welcome guide states that the heat is set at 16 degrees all the time.
The medical condition is something I would not have been concerned about, but the fact that it was not disclosed makes me wonder if there are any other issues that I was not told. I no longer trust the HO.
The heat situation is a no. I’m not going to travel somewhere to be constantly cold and miserable for a few weeks. And I wonder if this is just a way for them to ask for a utility payment without disclosing it in the listing.
Sitters should have access to all the information before accepting a sit. We don’t need details of how every appliance works, but I think a more limited version of the welcome guide with the address and details of all responsibilities would be appropriate prior to accepting.