We have had sitters care for our cat and home many times over the past 4 years we have been with THS, and I’ve never had applicants withdraw their application after a request for a video call. But with our recent post for a 5-week sit, I’m having difficulty finding a sitter, as 3 recent applicants seem offended that I’m asking for a video call. The most recent one went on about this being a community of people helping each other, and that a video call is intrusive.
Am I missing something? We are sitters too, and have always been asked to do a video call prior to being accepted, so this seems pretty normal to us.
For previous posts, we’ve had applicants sounds perfect in their application, but when we did the video call, the vibe was off, and we ended up choosing sitters with whom we “clicked” better.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble filling your current sit. While I know that some sitters aren’t huge fans of the video calls, most will tend to do them anyway. It is also true that many on our end feel similar to you in that they are the best way to gauge if it is a good match, and they want to have them too.
I think that you have simply had a string of bad luck perhaps in encountering people who are outright refusing them or actually getting offended by the request.
Now that video calling options are so commonplace I think that is the default for many people rather than a regular phone call. I have no issue at all doing them and many sitters feel the same.
Over the years I have also confirmed many sits without any sort of call first and I will admit I really like when that happens, but I understand a lot of hosts probably are not going to operate that way, especially if it is a longer-term sit. And I would never make that request of a host if it is not is not something they brought up first.
Your request to have one is quite common I think and perfectly reasonable. When inviting a stranger into your home, hosts should conduct the selection process in whatever way makes them feel most confident about their choice of a sitter.
I think a sitter feeling truly offended by the request is quite an odd response.
The sitter who is saying a video call is intrusive, is this sitter new to THS?
I would never have a sitter come to my home without a video call.
It’s tough there now finding sitters. I never had a problem until recently. There are lots of reasons and I think a big one is remote working. Companies are wanting their employees in the office versus working from anywhere.
If you don’t care whether contact is via phone call or video, you should state that in your listing. If video call only, definitely mention it to avoid uninterested applicants and unjustified criticism.
As full time sitters, we’ve done many video calls over the years and have never found them unusual. In fact, we often appreciate them because they’re just as valuable for us as they are for the homeowner.
A listing and an application only tell part of the story. A brief conversation helps both parties ask questions, clarify expectations and, perhaps most importantly, see whether there’s a comfortable rapport. We’ve occasionally finished a call feeling that the sit wasn’t the right fit for either side, which is far better than discovering that after the sit has begun.
That said, we also understand that some people prefer not to do video calls, and that’s their choice. If someone isn’t comfortable with one, it’s perfectly reasonable for them to withdraw rather than proceed.
For us, though, declining a video call would simply mean we’re probably not the right match. We don’t see it as intrusive. We see it as a sensible step when you’re trusting someone with your home, pets and, in many cases, several weeks of responsibility.
We are pet owners and would never confirm a sitter without a video call no matter how many 5 stars reviews they have. The fact that is sitter is perfect for others doesn’t mean they would be a match for us. Everyone one is different and what is important to us is not necessarily important to others and vice versa. After all they will live in our space and more importantly they will take care of our two cats so we want to get a feel if they will be a good match for them.
Aaaaand that is someone I would not want caring for my home.
Video calls are not unusual, and that’s such an extreme reaction! I think it’s fine to examine if a phone call works for you - but it’s also 100% ok if a video chat is a deal breaker for you. There is a lot going on with THS (as well as the world) that means some folks are having a hard time getting good sitters to apply. I’m a bit surprised for a 5-week sit, as my month+ sits are the most popular for sitters, but there are many factors that can go into it.
It is your home and your pets and it is for a lengthy sit @CocoMom so you need to feel comfortable in your choice of sitter. You know the value of having a video call as you sit as well. Were these applicants relatively new with little experience? Don’t waste any more time worrying about their attitude. Just concentrate on future applicants. You could also pop into your listing that you welcome a video chat prior to confirmation. Remember, you can remove your dates briefly then re-post them to make your listing New if it reverts to Low Applications once you’ve declined those not suitable. I, for one, enjoy having a video chat as I always have questions to ask!
What is normal to you is very different to our personal experience.
We rarely get asked to video chat, it sometimes gets mentioned the first time an owner responds to our application but only by about 2 owners in 10 owners… but waaaay less actually do a video chat, they just simply accept us. I think we only actually video with about 1 in 10 owners.
Our reviews speak for themselves I presume, or maybe others just don’t like video’ing, which is great for us.
As a sitter I have zero need to video chat, because we know the locations we sit in really well, and we’re going to love any pet we sit. But also, if the energy of the owners feels right when reading their profile, then I know things will be great, and it’s worked perfectly for us that way so far.
Personally as a HO I would never want a sitter who objected to a video call. Because I want to first, see the person who will be in my home (no offense but THS security checks are not sufficient - I need to see you on a call and it matches the profile. Also, you get to see me on the call, and it matches the profile.). Also, communication is so important if something goes sideways. If someone is so sensitive that they can’t bring themselves for a video call intro for 30 minutes? I don’t think they would come in a crisis at all. So, hard pass for me. No way.
Some people are too easily offended I think. Intrusive? Good grief you are staying in someone’s home with all their personal things and you can’t do a video call? I’m not mad about doing them myself, I always feel a bit awkward, but I think I would feel more awkward turning up at someone’s home without even speaking to them.
@CocoMom Someone refusing outright to Video call, or feeling offended and intruded apon, is clearly not a match for you! And that’s OK. Don’t take it personally- its their position but not yours and you have every right to choose your sitters in the way that makes you feel most comfortable. Video chatting before confirming seems to have become pretty standard these days. If requested we always agree to a video call even though my husband hates them and refuses to sit next to me in front of the screen- he prefer to hover in the back ground and come and go! Occasionally its the same on the other side- one host is the main speaker and the other one comes & goes. Honestly whatever people are comfortable with should be OK. You will catch the vibe anyway.
For us the video call is usually just a friendly ‘meet & greet & ask a few Qs’ - a confirmation of a decision already reached. But very occasionally we’ve chatted, and found the vibe really off, or some deal breaker info is revealed, that makes us withdraw. Without a call that may not have happened and then a mismatch might occur.
Recently we had two very different experiences. The first was a 2.5 week sit arranged by message alone. The HO asked if we ‘needed’ a video call. We agreed no, as we had great reviews on both sides and it all looked pretty straightforward. That sit went fantastically well from the moment of arrival- dinner & overnighting- till a great review exchange at the end. Opposite experience- the next sit was to be directly after that good sit, a last minute booking, the HO was new and requested -not a video call- but an actual in person meeting. We normally never do that- (meeting pre-sit)- unless the sit is already confirmed. But, as we were only 30 mins drive away and it was a convenient sit for us, we made an exception. All appeared to go well and we met, & confirmed the sit. 2 days later she cancelled it with an excuse (which was definitely not a proper reason to cancel) We suspect she just changed her mind about us. We figured if we’d had a video call instead, or just messaged, the sit would have proceeded. We were annoyed at the time (even though it was not an ideal sit- just convenient!) but the very next day we landed a new and, in all ways, much better sit with another host who just been cancelled on too! We had a very nice video call and the vibe was good. One week notice for us both! We are headed there tomorrow and looking forward to it. So you just never know. Always go with your gut! Any friction, doubt, or tension, for whatever reason, pre sit, should be a red flag! Sometimes things pan out very unexpectedly.
Probably not other than you’ve crossed paths with a very entitled sitter. An attitude of entitlement is an instant match killer for us. With a 5-week sit in play, you’re in the driver’s seat. Patience should prevail.
Any host or sitter pontificating on what is “right” or “proper” on THS are worth avoiding.
As a sitter you know that good communication really is the foundation of a successful house sit. If you and an applicant aren’t on the same page about something as simple as having a video call (you feel it’s important and they prefer not to) then it may just mean you’re not the right match, and that’s perfectly okay.
The screening process is there to help both homeowners and sitters find the right fit. It’s simply part of finding someone whose communication style and expectations align with yours, which gives everyone the best chance of having a positive experience.
And even if I personally dislike video calls (I don’t think they are intrusive - it’s simply not my comfort zone so it takes a bit of effort), I still mention that we are available for a call in each and every application. And in Europe I feel HOs wil ask for a call anyway. I can’t remember if I ever had one that didn’t.
There is the occasional HO that called without video. But I think a call, video or not, still allows you to better asses if both sides are aligned on their expectations.
