Difficult Wwoofers...

Hi Dermot
In this kind of situation we are always here to help, and we have a telephone number on the site for host and WWOOFers alike to ring and discuss things with us.  When assessing the performance of WWOOFers it is good to look at the commitment they make (Hosts can see this by clicking on 'How to be a WWOOFer') and then having a discussion with them about whether or not they are fulfilling the obligations they have agreed to.  If there is any conflict on this then we are here to be contacted by either party for advice!

Hi Annie,
Thanks for that.I'm glad that you are there and hope that I don't have problems again.

Dermot, I recently had some difficult wwoofers..... sounds like those you had.... free loaders, arrogant, lazy..... I am sorry I did not send them packing.... Next time I will send them packing.... they will be gone out gate so fast they will not know what hit them...... Where were yours from?

Hiya;I have been on both sides of this fence; i WWoofed in France, the host was, to understate the case, looking for slaves whilst he travelled, the animals were secondary to his main activity of importing herbals.

We left when the dog found a brick of said type in the barn.

I am a member of Hospitalty Club and Couchsurfers; when in France hosted a lot, there's a Comix Festival; had up to 16 visitors in a very small house: no problems whatsoever.

The only difficult visitor was an American woman who seemed to feel 3 showers plus "hot tub" per day should be included; plus expected my partner to transport her around and carry her shopping bags "And, hey, this is France, where the f**k are the fresh croissants and coffee?"

She was asked to leave the next day and did, thank goodness!

The only other slightly difficult experience was an Austrian lady, who seemed to find the accomodation rather cold and damp; but we are still on good terms.

Terri

Just tell them to leave! I'm getting fed up with lazy free-loading woofers and in fact can't face the uncertaintity of freeloaders any more this year, so I've just cancelled Septembers wwofers and I'm gonna have a break. It is so unfortunate cos I've had on the whole brilliant wonderful fantastic wwoofers, but like everything it's the 'uns that ruin it for the good 'uns! So do not be afraid tell them to leave as soon as things start to show, it generally only gets worse.
eileen

Hello All, We've generally had fantastic people this year and so far no major problems. Some individuals have been more demanding than others. But I've found that two tasks on my part have helped to smooth the introduction to the farm. In my first communication I send them a detailed description of what we offer in terms of food and accommodation as well as what kind of work they'll be given. I also send them a booking sheet, (word doc with a couple of commitments, dietary requirements, proof of volunteers' insurance and next of kin contact details). They are not booked in until that booking sheet is received back. Then the Wwoofer cannot deny that they've been well informed prior to arrival.
This is no means a rule, but I've noticed that those Wwoofers that book in advance tend to perform better. I guess it's because they've had long enough to think about what they're letting themselves in for.
In the case of one or two individuals, where I've sensed there may be a problem ahead, I've pointed out that they and we, as the hosts, are both on a trial period and that if there are any issues we can discuss them within the next couple of days and part amicably if there's any unresolvable problem.
Thanks for the tip from Annie on "How to be a Wwoofer" and look forward to share more experiences with other hosts in the future.

In the past three years there have been four lack-a-daisical people who have really irked me, however we did manage at the time to find the right work for them and it worked out well for us all in the long run. I have had only one WWOOFer stay with me who really pushed buttons, he lasted two days, worked for only one of them then threw a hissy fit because we always work Sat's on the farm (with Sun and Mon off). He point blank refused to get out of bed then in a real drama (he is Italian after all) got up, packed his bags and left! The night before was possibly the turning point, when asked to help with the dishes, as we all do together, he admitted to never having washed one before, at 31 years of age, and was not happy to do so, so he did them really badly. The best thing out of the entire incident was that I immediately contacted a french girl who arrived the next day and has been with us now for 5 months! Something good usually comes out of it all.

Hi,
My heart goes out to you. I have had fabulous WWOOFers down through the years, and have kept in touch with a few of them for years afterwards. My daughter has also WWOOFed over in New Zealand and was treated very well.
However, of course you can ask them politely to move on if they do not suit you. I had one WWOOFer come to me early this year and she was meant to stay 3 months. Within a few days of her being in the house, for reasons I won't go into, I simply had to gently ask her to move on. It was a terrible situation and my kids and I couldn't cope with her in the house. She was very upset to leave but made no fuss but these people are coming into our homes, and if they are going to be difficult, rude, dangerous, of course you have all the right in the world to ask them to leave.
I have had two lovely WWOOFers over the summer and was sad to see them leave and have another lovely girl working for me at the moment, so don't despair and I hope you find some nice WWOOFers to come and help you really soon.
Blessings, Pippa

hi,

i just had a request to stay for three month at my place. to avoid any problems the WWOOFer and i have agreed to a three weeks trial. during that period we both can see if it is a suitable situation or not. if a WWOOFer needs certain confirmation for three month right away without having any idea if we get on or if the situation at my place is suitable for the WWOOFer i would simply not agree to host them. three weeks can also be long and i may consider to shorten the time for future requests.

Have Fun!
Jan

Just had two terrible wwoofers. The first to arrive (last Monday) had minimal comprehesion of English and was a serious free-loader. Thought I would jizz him up by getting another wwoofer in who arrived on Friday night and had a lovely day on Saturday with a free riding lesson and a walk up the mountains. Last night they said they had run out of food (accommodation in a mobile home done up and loved by other working pupils and paying guests)so at 8.00 pm after an incredibly hectic day I drove off to the supermarket and spent over €100 on provisions for them. This morning (as usual) there was no sight of them in the yard but, as it was a Sunday, I thought I would give them the benefit of the doubt. My daughter and I carried on working as normal (you don't get Sundays off with horses). Saw the wwoofers strolling around the place in the afternoon and then this evening they informed me that they would like to leave tomorrow because they did not feel the accommodation was up to their standard.

Glad you have good wwoofers now. I have had so many terrible ones since joining wwoof that I am going to take my name off this website. I do get brilliant young people coming to work and learn here who are hard-working, committed and stay friends for ever after. And I run a successful business with many happy guests who love it here and return again and again. So I have reluctantly reached the conclusion that the people who want to wwoof are, as far as I am concerned, just in it for a free ride!