One of the more popular platforms that we have used is called Trusted Housesitters. We were actually among the original members of Trusted Housesitters when they began operations back in 2010.
As the popularity grew, so did the company. It began as three employees, and eventually got bought out by a an investment group in 2019. Then another equity firm took a big stake in 2023. Now, there are approximately 84 employees and it's a company valued at $100M.
And we were big supporters, using the service regularly and advertising the service itself here on this blog.
Ruth and Loki the dog near Aberdeen, Scotland.
But we noticed that over the last couple of years, the annual membership fees were becoming quite expensive. I mean, you're looking after someone else's pets for free in the first place... and you're paying money to get to the location. The main financial benefit of course is that you get free accommodation in exchange for looking after their pet. And of course the homeowner benefits as well because they don't pay someone to look after their pet. Both parties win. Normally, no money changes hands.
Except of course the service that pairs you up. And fair enough... to a point.
Yesterday, they announced that they were instituting a "booking fee". And we're not talking a nominal two or three dollar amount. When you agree to a booking, both the sitter and the host have to pay... the equivalent of $12 USD each!
The problem is, you get nothing in return for this additional money. My first thought was ..."this comes across as a money grab"... on top of the ever increasing annual fees.
Doing a quick search told us that everyone else on the internet agrees with me.
Too bad they have let the corporate greed get to them. Our membership was coming up for renewal on January 2nd, but I have cancelled it. There are other platforms to try when we are ready to do some more house sitting.
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Record low deal on the iRobot roomba Vac and Mop.
And in Canada...
Always happens. As soon as there is a "buy out", greed sets in. Once upon a time, we were members of UCC Total Home, which then became "DIrect Buy". It wasn't a bad deal. Membership fees were more or less reasonable, and you got to shop and buy directly from the manufacturer. And then, it got "bought out". And then it just went to sh*t. Fees went up. Branches closed. We no longer could justify the membership. Too bad really, because the mark-up on some things is huge, and the savings were quite substantial.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new platform, whatever that may be. And....keep yer stick on the ice.
Bob.
It certainly does seem to happen that way all too often and really it is a shame to see that happen but then you can buy into it if you want or decline and find other options. Not sure there were other options with "Direct Buy" but theere are with housesitting and that is what we will be doing.
Deletenew word of the day “enshittification” (platform decline via added fees).
ReplyDeleteLol, that is a good word for these companies that are doing just that!
DeleteTotally agree with you. I use 3 other platforms. Bit like the home owners wanting us to pay council rates. We did as no where to shift to but will never again.
ReplyDeleteThere are other platforms out there and like you we will be using them. I guess for some people it will all come down to whether they think the fees are justified to them or not but from what we are hearing the majority of people are not happy and will cancel their subscriptions just like us. It is a real shame when something good like that starts to go down the drain!
DeleteTotally agree and cancelling too.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear that we aren't the only ones thinking this way. There are other platforms for housesitting and we will be using them.
DeleteI agree that it is still a good deal except for very short sits. What are the alternative site offering a similar service?
ReplyDeleteFor someone that does a lot of housesitting the premium package would probably be worth it to them but to us, we just think it is a big money grab and that we aren't getting any additional benefit from the added fees/premium package prices. We aren't playing their game and a lot of other people won't be either. Just google housesitting and a number of different ones come up, such as Housecarers, Nomador and MindMyHouse, these are just a few that are out there!
DeleteEquity firm = equity thieves All these firms trying to buy my house under the market rate are also equity thieves. You can invest in this practice of ripping people off buying their home then rent it out for way too much. When I saw it offered through my investment company, I asked and they said you have to be approved to buy in. Think Blackrock. Too rich for my blood, but I also didn't want to invest in making money off other peoples scams and the possible devastion of others. How bout a 50 year mortgage? Parasites.
ReplyDeleteSo much out there now seems to be a big money grab, it is such a shame to see this happening. We have been part of a number of really good websites when we first started out and now a number of them have changed so much or have started charging too much that their programs just aren't worth it to us anymore. 😔
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