INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you're contacted by a homeowner who matches your criteria, follow up with a friendly email or phone call to find out more about what they're looking for. It's usually a good idea to start with a short conversation and schedule a longer interview for later on so both parties will have a chance to prepare any questions they may have. You don't want any surprises when you show up for the first day of your house sitting job. Write down your list of questions beforehand so you can be sure you are on the same page as the homeowners. Some questions you might ask would include: "Do your pets require any special care?", "Is there anything I should know about your home's security system?", "What chores will I need to perform?", "Will I be expected to pay for utilities?", and "How far away are the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, etc?" This will help you know exactly what you're in for. You don't want to find out at the last minute that the ceiling is caving in or that bathroom sink doesn't have faucets. Check to see if the pictures look current, as older pictures might not reflect the current state of the home. Search online or reach out to people who live in the area to find out what you can about the neighborhood. Avoid house sitting in areas with high crime or which are known for drug activity. Use Google Earth to search for the address of the home where you'll be staying, then click around the neighborhood to see what it looks like. This can give you valuable information the homeowner doesn't mention, such as whether or not there might be noisy construction going on across the street.

SUMMARY: Follow up with any potential matches. Ask plenty of questions when being interviewed by the homeowner. Ask for pictures of the home. Research the neighborhood.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Liquids that are left on granite for too long can cause dark, shadow-like marks to form. Similarly, bright-colored beverages can stain light granite countertops. Get into the habit of wiping up spills with a soft cloth as soon as they occur. Apply cooking oil to a clean cloth, then make circular motions across the surface of the countertop. Use gentle pressure as you buff the surface. This will create a nice shine on your granite and temporarily reduce the risk of staining, as spills won't be able to soak into the granite as easily. Repeat this periodically, such as daily or once a week, depending on your preferences. Use whatever oil you typically use for cooking. For example, you can use vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. Although granite is very hard-wearing, it can still be damaged if you regularly cut straight on the surface. Always use a chopping board when you are preparing food and try not to leave any sharp objects directly on the countertop. This will also help to protect your knives and keep them sharp. Hot pots, pans, hair straighteners, and curling irons can all cause micro-scratches to form. Keep a silicone, heat-resistant pad or an insulated mat within easy reach on the countertop. Micro-scratches form when the granite experiences a sudden change in temperature. Hot objects can also cause the sealant to break down more quickly. Makeup and nail polish contain chemicals that can tarnish the granite and break down the sealant with long-term exposure. Place these products on a tray or a mat, or leave them in a cabinet instead. Granite countertops are sealed to protect the stone from being weakened and damaged from everyday use. Pour a few drops of water onto the countertop and check that water beads form, as this indicates that the seal is working properly. If the water soaks into the countertop, apply a granite seal or contact a granite restoration professional to get it resealed. Make sure you do this sealant test before you do any buffing and cleaning of the granite. Otherwise, you may damage the sealant or the granite. Granite countertops usually need to be resealed every 5-10 years. You can clean and polish the granite if the countertop needs to be resealed, however, it's best to act promptly to avoid any damage.
Summary: Clean up spills immediately to avoid stains and marks. Buff the granite with cooking oil to provide shine and stain resistance. Use a cutting board to prevent scratching the granite. Place hot objects on a heat-resistant surface on the countertop. Keep cosmetics off the countertop to prevent chemical damage. See if water beads form on the countertop to check the sealant.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Quickly navigate to the website. Then find the Manage Orders or Customer Service tab. In this section, you'll be able to navigate to a list of your online purchases. Look for the specific purchase and cancel it. Remember, though, the quicker you cancel, the better your chances of not having to pay anything. Some websites will require you to send a message to a customer service representative before they confirm cancellation. Be succinct and direct when you send your message. If you're unable to cancel the purchase online, you'll have to call customer service. When you speak to customer service, provide them with your order number and tell them you want to cancel it. They may be able to cancel immediately. The customer service number is usually found under "contact" information toward the bottom of the website. Be very polite. For example, say "please" and "thank you." If they say they can't cancel the order, ask to speak with a supervisor. Many companies will not let you cancel a purchase freely if you just changed your mind about a product. Thus, you need to provide a legitimate reason for why you no longer want the product. Some reasons may include: The ad listing misrepresents the product. You found a cheaper price. The product is damaged or is not the exact product you ordered. If you are able to cancel your order, write down the confirmation number that the website or customer service representative gives you. This way, if there is an issue with the order in the future, you'll be able to reference your cancellation. After your order is cancelled, you should receive a refund. This may take a few days, so you'll have to check your bank account or credit card statement regularly. Remember: Under (United States) law, if you paid with a debit card, cash, or check, your money must be refunded within seven work days. If you purchased with a credit card, your money must be refunded within a billing cycle.

SUMMARY:
Cancel online immediately. Call customer service. Give a valid, specific reason. Write down the transaction or cancellation ID number. Verify you received a refund.