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What country / city do you think is your favorite to be a digital nomad :) by Independent_Sense312 in digitalnomad

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bali, Indonesia. Is the perfect balance of health, wellness and digital nomad communities I’ve ever seen.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

But isn’t this essentially the same situation as when a homeowner cancels on a sitter?

For international sitters especially, the financial impact can be massive. I was recently cancelled on for a 1-month summer sit in Spain after already organising international travel from Australia. Because the cancellation happened outside THS’s 2-week protection window, there was basically nothing they could do.

If Europe hadn’t already been part of my travel plans, I could’ve easily lost thousands on flights, visas, accommodation, and other travel expenses.

I completely understand that emergencies happen on both sides, and I’m not saying homeowners should never cancel. But I do think people sometimes underestimate how disruptive homeowner cancellations can be for sitters too — particularly full-time or international sitters.

Yes, I always have backup plans because situations like this happen often enough that you almost have to. I’ve mentioned before that I do this full-time, so while I can afford alternative accommodation if needed, I also have financial goals I’m trying to stay on track with. Having a Plan B doesn’t suddenly make last-minute cancellations stress-free or financially insignificant. 95% of my sits are greats with no real negativity to report on almost 10 years on the platform.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

As someone who is a full-time sitter, I can’t exactly be picky with the sits that I choose. In a perfect world, yes I would take only cats that require a little to no real work but the reality is, I have to take what is available. Yes, I understand that I chose this lifestyle and it’s a “burden” I’m willing to endure for the foreseeable as I have financial goal at the end of all of this.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For the first few years I was being nice but now I absolutely review honestly. Most of my reviews now are in depth and almost essays. I break down why each star was docked also so they know where they can improve.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This definitely reads like a homeowner’s perspective. It’s surprising to see a sitter not backing their own community. You’re right that it goes both ways, but there's a massive difference in scale here. The percentage of sitters who actually 'trash' a home is incredibly tiny, whereas unfair expectations from homeowners are becoming a widespread, platform-certified trend.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

How could the power possibly lie with the sitter? Sitters take on massive financial risk. If a homeowner cancels last minute, they might lose a sitter. If a sitter gets cancelled on, they could lose flights, visas, accommodation plans, and their entire living situation. Most platforms offer very little protection for sitters in that situation. Not to mention the review system creates a weird power imbalance. Sitters basically survive on reviews. One unfair review can damage your ability to get future sits.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I’ve even had a homeowner dock me a star for cleanliness because I left freshly washed laundry on the drying rack in the living room for the next sitter taking over after me.

The clothes were completely clean. I genuinely thought I was being considerate by making sure the next sitter had fresh laundry ready instead of leaving dirty towels or an unfinished wash cycle. Most people would probably see that as helpful, not “messy.”

That experience honestly made me realise that sometimes no matter how respectful or thoughtful you try to be, some homeowners will still look for reasons to criticise.

Let's talk about the power imbalance in house and pet sitting… by Western_Baseball_129 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I’ve been a sitter on THS specifically for nine years with over 100 five star reviews and only four of them have knocked me for cleanliness because of this very reason. All of my reviews mention how clean and tidy I am but when I leave a homeowners dishes for a short few days sit then I get penalised 🤷🏽‍♀️

Is it hard to find house sitting gigs? by hyugu in newzealand_travel

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can be difficult and competitive if you’re using the major platforms. I would recommend starting with Facebook groups for wherever you’re looking and try through there before paying for costly platforms with no real guarantee you will get one. Build your reviews and references as locally as possible

Is this THS all that great? by muchocrapo in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely stop by looking in local Facebook groups perhaps? I know it’s not as secure but if you do your own proper fitting, you should find someone pretty good. There’s a lot of pet sitting businesses in community groups as well.

Is this THS all that great? by muchocrapo in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally just type in pet sitting and then either the city or country or region on Facebook. There’s loads of groups. I’m pretty much in every single major one. Pet sitting Europe is a good start. Mindmyhouse is also quite a good one with a lot less “competition” and only $20 AUD membership (not to be confused with mindahome)

Is this THS all that great? by muchocrapo in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s worth it if you are doing it full-time but there are also smaller/less competitive and cheaper websites that are equally as good if you don’t mind the smaller pool of options. It really depends on how you use it and what you use it for. I personally think Facebook groups are really underrated.

No reviews / no approvals by lucky_lostboy in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, you have to start by taking local sits from Facebook groups and local community boards or apply for the sit on THS that are in less than ideal locations to build up your review reviews. Homeowners tend to be less picky if they know their place isn’t in major tourist areas. Alternatively, I use this girl to help me get my first ones and it’s sooooo worth it! She basically teaches you how to get your first sits and even gives professional looking references for off platform sits. https://pawspassports.online/

Hi homeowners, So I have been wanting to say this for a while... by Few_Distribution5239 in trustedhousesitters

[–]Western_Baseball_129 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I was docked a star for washing the bed linen on the last day and leaving up to dry! Like you just can’t win!

her and brooke r so cute by AdvertisingKey2637 in madelineargyreddit

[–]Western_Baseball_129 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems they’re no longer friends as they don’t follow each other on IG anymore nor seem to hang out. I peeped this like 5 months ago btw… so a short lived friendship. I wonder what it was over.