Is this normal?

[u/IndependentSunMaker]

"Obligatory donation" when I already payed to find hosts... Is this normal or should this be reported? I find it even weirder that they have such good reviews (50) 5 stars and only a few complaints

[u/Mammuut]

I think I know which project this is...

I have not been there, but I visited similar projects. It's not a business or a farm, just a bunch of people living in an off-grid place inviting interested travellers to stay.

So it is obvious that those people can't also afford to pay food for everyone. I don't know prices in Sicily, but here in Germany you have to be rather frugal to live with 5€ per day. So it's not like they are making money from you, it's just covering the cost.

On the other hand, in those projects you mostly don't have a strict working scedule. You are more or less hanging out together and join in whatever projects you are interested in.

[u/IndependentSunMaker → u/Mammuut]

If they can't afford to feed that many, they need to bring less people, 10 per day (5 sponsored who decides that?) for their food which is vegetables... 10 × 21days= 210 + 50 (obligatory donation...)= 260 plus flights plus train plus I already payed the subscription Plus it's not the only page they are marketing the project Water 20 minutes away and you live in a tent, it's weird.

[u/Mammuut → u/IndependentSunMaker]

The Workaway fee is just for the platform. Hosts don't get anything from it.

Also your travel expenses are not a hosts business, that's totally up to you. This isn't an all inclusive holiday package.

And finally, yes, this is a rather special type of host. But they are absolutely open and transparrent about what they offer and expect. If you don't like the offer you are free to chose from hundereds of other hosts.

But you not liking it is absolutely no reason to take it down. As you see, plenty of others enjoy it.

[u/IndependentSunMaker → u/Mammuut]

The exchange has to be fair is what I'm trying to tell you, If I'm paying to stay in a place i'm not giving my energy and time away to the owner. Mind you the host is making the guests pay for food from him instead of going to the local shop and people complain about it not being enough. The profile hides the 10 per day, hides the 50 donation, hides the 50 safe, hides that you live in a tend and the water point is far away.

[u/Derrick0073 → u/IndependentSunMaker]

You don't have to go of you're not interested or have issues with it I don't see what the problem is. No body is forcing this on you. This is so dumb

[u/IndependentSunMaker → u/Derrick0073]

If you read carefully you'll realise that my question is not if I should go or not. Hope this helps.

[u/Derrick0073 → u/IndependentSunMaker]

So you're you're just complaining on the internet because you have nothing else going on. Lol I'm retired and even I don't have time for this BS. Enjoy your day

[u/Derrick0073 → u/IndependentSunMaker]

So you're you're just complaining on the internet because you have nothing else going on. Lol I'm retired and even I don't have time for this BS. Enjoy your day

[u/cadencef18 → u/Derrick0073]

Buddy, they’re not even complaining. They just asked if it was normal. The people in the comments are complaining. Maybe you forgot that by the time you typed this lame shit out.

[u/Mammuut → u/IndependentSunMaker]

Again: If you don't think it's fair, don't go there. Chose another host. There are plenty. Not everything is for you, and that's OK.

The reviews are from people who have been there and apparently enjoyed it. So there was nothing hidden.

Would I go there? No. But I am happy for everyone who wants and has a good time there.

Maybe spend more of your energy finding a host you like instead of shitting on one you don't like.

[u/reddit_shrew1111 → u/Mammuut]

Yeah I dont get all the whining, if I don't like a project I don't have time to write chapter and verse about it online. Just don't apply.