This other platform was “born” before THS and yet only have a fraction of the membership base.
That oughta tell you something right there. Look before you leap.
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Steve, I’d be very grateful if you could stop interacting with me. You already made your point several times and we already know we don’t agree, so it’s totally useless to comment my choices every time, stating things we both already know and going off topic. I was answering to a specific question and we don’t need to discuss the choices anymore. Thank you.
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Agree that you can’t charge people significant money when you’re building a marketplace business like THS, because no one wants to pay for low value or no value.
Many marketplace businesses actually start off sweat equity, with the builders investing savings or (if they have track record) getting investors to pony up. That’s a financial bet, with hope of future upside.
Potential customers rationally don’t care if you can’t afford to build or run the business — that’s the entrepreneurs’ problem to solve.
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The new platform that I shared isn’t owned by me so I think your comment is misdirected. I was simply sharing a new platform that I have joined instead of THS
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If a homeowner says before, during or after the sit “I appreciate all you did (or will be doing) for our pets and home, I would take that as a “thank you” put into other phrasing. You do you! And I happen to have no issue saying the words “Thank you for inviting me to care for your wonderful pets and home.”
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We were raised in a good family home to ALWAYS say “thank you for having me” after a visit, no matter how much we liked or disliked the home or the people. It is just common courtesy and respect, something that seems to be sorely missing in today’s society. My son was raised this “old fashioned way” and he, also, always thanks his hosts after a stay - regardless. Does it hurt anyone? No.
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Sadly @ziggy not everyone is polite in this world and there are too many self centred arrogant people. That’s why we’ve got the world we have where common courtesy is dying out. Thankfully there are still some of us around who are polite.
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Most people are selfish and are transactional by nature. Even relationships are this way. It’s about what you can do for me, and what I can do for you in return. Either accept people for how they are and don’t take it personally when they don’t match your preconceived notions of how the world should be, or struggle to find those who do. Politeness doesn’t pay the bills.
Considering the world population, I somehow don’t think you know “most” of them to make that comment. Perhaps it is common in your circle of friends and acquaintances but for others, it is not the case.
We also have strayed from the topic being discussed.
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As do most, my thoughts and opinions as expressed in my posts reflect my experiences and interactions with thousands of individuals during the course of 6 decades of my life. While it’s a relatively small sample compared to the population of the planet, it’s all I’ve got.
I absolutely think there’s a connection. I’ve been mulling that over all year. I’ve almost exclusively sat in the states (not for lack of desire to be elsewhere, but I’m a therapist with a remote practice and I work when I sit). I went to France for a few weeks this summer and felt such a palpable difference. I think for sure, this is a microcosm of what’s playing out politically in this country. The entitlement, distrust, disregard for procedures, wealth discrepancies, housing shortage. Everyone seems on edge understandably, but that makes for a less hospitable mind frame in general. For me it makes explicit gratitude, warmth, connection and genuine kindness all the more important. It seems there are people who are fine with a transactional exchange and people who seek more. For the later, it seems hard to settle for the former. I hate withholding kindness, as much as I want to receive it from others. Maybe that’s where the great divide is in some of these forum posts. The trade v the connection. You seem like a wonderful sitter too! I can tell by your reviews. Thanks for the kind words!
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In one of my previous jobs, my boss told me I was too polite. I was shocked to hear that because it sounded like you have a flaw.
I heard a TV program about health yesterday, a psychologist was invited to speak on this subject. Saying thank you and expressing gratitude has numerous benefits for mood and mental health. It increases feelings of happiness, lowers blood pressure, improves sleep quality and relationships with others, and alleviates melancholy and resentment.
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I would totally agree if I had been given a free 12-month membership.
The reason you are unconcerned is that you have nothing to lose. Sorry for sounding like a cracked record, and I am not trying to knock them, but the reality is, unless they offer a significant length of time free membership to build their initial membership, then they have zero chance of getting off the starting block.
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Did THS offer free trial months when they launched ?
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I’ve no idea.
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Check out the book, Human kind, by Rudger Bregman. It might let you form your thoughts on humanity in a new way.
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Yes, I was invited to join THS when it was launched in 2010 for a free 6 month membership
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Well, there’s some partially good news. They are starting to get it and from monday will be offering 6 months free membership for homeowners for a limited period. Clearly they need more persuasion that this is the way to go with sitters too. Maybe they’ll get there 
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Good they’re adapting, but just having Hosts as members isn’t necessarily going to mean active sit listings right away. Hosts can create profiles but may not have need of a sitter for some time.
Hopefully they’ll cotton to that & offer the deal for Sitters as well. I’m reluctant to pay until I see some momentum with both quality home listings as well as active sits being offered.
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where did you read this news?