Yes, exactly!! This is the only way to turn auto renew off. A sitter can’t cancel a sit directly, but they can ask the homeowner to cancel the sit on the system and then make a private arrangement with them. Technically against the rules I’m sure, but who would know 
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Why should that be against the rules? THS is only a matching service. If you make a private arrangement it does not affect THS. You’d already paid the membership fee when you made the connection so if you then go off site who cares?! 
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The only thing that will hurt them is people not renewing.
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Take a look at the Facebook page for the Guardians Tribe. It’s all on there now. Also their website is now live with the offer of 6 months free trial for homeowners
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The Guardians Tribe offer is on their Facebook page and the website now.
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Why only for homeowners?? Why not 6 months free for ‘Guardians’ too? That’s already a discrepancy I don’t like. I went on their Website and saw no mention of the 6 months free but I did see that the annual fee for “Guardians” is higher that it is for HOs..
As a sitter I just see another platform that already favours HOs.. Therefore not much different from THS except much cheaper and only 6 listings worldwide so far..
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There’s absolutely no incentive for a sitter to join and pay money when there are only six listings globally. All their posts are AI generated which sadly makes it feel less human & more fake. Either they’ve rushed it or are getting bad marketing advice. A “tribe” suggests a clique. A “guardian” suggests even more responsibility than a sitter. Both bad moves. Like you & @Snowbird, am not encouraged to join at all. #zeroappeal
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Add to that the sit is called the “Assignment “ ! I see nothing in the language or tone that suggests mutual exchange .
And one of these is not verified yet ( no tick and no photos ) !
Looks like they are struggling to cope with only six sits listed how would they cope if dozens applied to become hosts ?
#notconvinced
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Great! Give them your feedback via the Facebook page, not me. I’m just sharing the facts.
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Yes. I already have done that.
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It’s known as “supply and demand”. Too many sitters compared to listings, so incentives are offered to hosts as they are in short supply and high demand.
That’s how marketing works, don’t take it personally.
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Every marketing has consequences. One thing we do is to analyze these potential consequences, and then make choices based on that.
It is not “taking it personally”, when a sitter for example points out that certain wording has the potential consequence that their work will be undervalued.
We can for example assume, that when someone gets something for free, they place less value on it, than if they paid for it. When hosts get free access to (but sitters dont) this can lead to some hosts just trying it out. If this host then gets a “better offer” outside the site, they can as well cancel last minute and there is no consequences. But if they paid for access to the site, then that would show and lead to higher commitment. If only sitter pays to get access, they have much more to loose, and might for example agree to worse conditions due to sunken cost fallacy. If both parties have the same free access, it dismantles an inequality and in part makes the interactions more equal.
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All your points are valid, not just the one quoted above. That much said, there are many members who do in fact take such marketing decisions as a personal insult or slight, as per their emotional responses that don’t offer any reasonable explanation (as you did), rather it’s an emotional reaction about “how unfair it all is”. Same thing with the booking fees. People are responding in a fury over an impersonal business decision that has nothing to do with them as individuals.
@Lokstar I do think it would be wise for them to offer a free trial for Sitters to build their database of users.
That said, in argument for offering 6mos to Hosts for free - a Host might join, set up their listing, & then not need to post a sit for months (if at all) during the trial.
A Sitter is much more likely to begin utilizing the service quickly, and more often, in that timeframe. Always assuming, of course, there are any sits to apply to.
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The Guardians Tribe now have an introductory offer of 6 months free on all membership types. I understand the offer is planned to run for the next month
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The 6 month free membership seems to be an introductory offer for all membership types now
They now offering risk-free and fee free 6 month trial membership for all membership types.
Personally, I probably wouldn’t join any new “start up” site, but if I did I’d look for something that didn’t present itself with the word “sitter” in it, but had a name that pointed to the exchange aspect.
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I can’t work out if it really is going to do something different or it’s a damp squib. They posted (a sweet looking family behind the brand) about all the work they’re putting in & how they need income or it can’t work, and then promptly added the 6 months free for everyone. It feels reactive rather than strategic in how they’re building the platform. I wish them well it just doesn’t draw me in to join. We’ve added MMH back in for a try (even though hosts were flaky previously) as it’s only $29 a year so why not. #watchthisspace
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Tbf they might have gotten an unexpected investor offer or other source of funding to give them some breathing room.
It seems clear all of the competition saw the opportunity when THS sprang the booking fees, & are adapting their plans & timing to take advantage. It was to be expected; they won’t be the only major offering forever. This sort of move is the type that naturally spurs competition. You think you have a virtual monopoly so you try to take advantage, and end up fracturing your own market instead.
I guess that’s what they mean by “move fast & break things.” 
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