Hey all,
How would you take this…
I applied for a sit, and the HO said it sounded great and they’d love to have a call in the PM of today, so I replied with my phone number and a convenient time which they read…
But then no reply? Is the call still going ahead? I’ve messaged again double checking and no reply yet. Not sure whether some would just assume it is, or if you’d take that as they’ve found someone else.
Update : HO replied and said they were potentially changing the travel dates.
If no reply, I’d write them off.
I would assume that it was and then wait and see.
Depends on how long you have waited for a reply from the second message. If it’s only a couple of hours then they may just not have checked messages yet.
Some people aren’t constantly on their phones and some don’t realize that a confirmatory message is reassuring after an arrangement has been made.
Have they read the 2nd message yet? If yes and still no reply I’d probably withdraw my application because this doesn’t bode well for the sit. I’d just let them know that since they’ve not been able to confirm the scheduled call that you’ll need to pull your application and you wish them luck.
If they have NOT read the 2nd message yet then I’d wait and assume it’s happening at the time suggested, but I’d be on super high alert for additional red flags.
I’m not sure what time zone you’re in. I mean how long it’s been altogether or how long before a reasonable time in the pm there’s still left.
Assuming there’s still time for the call to happen, I can only think of a scenario where this delay in the response would be acceptable. Say the HO is quite busy, reads your message but something comes up and can’t answer immediately. They may also not be sure if they will be able to contact you at the time you suggested and might be trying to know before they give you a definite answer.
This not a communication style that I like but I understand that sometimes we can get carried away by events and let a message unanswered for some time. It’s not easy to immediately respond to all messages.
I would follow @CreatureCuddler’s advice and look for red flags.
Still in the AM here.
I agree, we’re human not robots, so sometimes responding to a message can slip someone’s mind.
She just replied and said she’s not sure what dates she’s travelling now and the sit dates might change. So guess that’s what was going on 
How long ago did you arrange the telephone call?
And what’s the time frame of your second message?
I’d not assume anything. In the absence of timely response from the pet parents, I[d withdraw our application. Good communications are vital to a successful sit, IMHO.
Glad you at least heard. I’d update your OP otherwise you’re going to continue to get responses from folks who haven’t read this update. Hopefully the new dates work but don’t let that stop you from applying for other sits in the mean time if you find ones that fit your needs. Good luck!
So the pet parent is keeping you waiting until she confirms her dates… that would be a big red flag for me; she’s not being transparent and is prioritising her own needs, here. A message acknowledging your application and stating the facts of her situation would have allowed you to make an informed choice, failing to respond is potentially indicative of someone who doesn’t value your time so much as her own.
Yes I think these are fair points. I asked what timescale she will need to decide her travel dates.
I have to say I’ve noticed flakiness, or lack of thought for sitters time becoming more of a problem. Maybe I’ve just had an unlucky streak, but it’s starting to become disheartening.
I think more sitters need to stop putting up with it. It’s why I appreciate the sitters who pull their applications if they don’t hear back within x time frame (even though I’m generally too lazy to do it myself lol). HOs need to learn that they can’t just faff about with someone else’s time and maybe losing out on some good sitters will teach them a lesson. I also think if you’re withdrawing due to them being unresponsive that you tell them that. You’re not going to sit for them anyway so they can’t ding you for being honest.
Absolutely agree.
I wonder if it’s because it feels like they’ll get a sitter anyway if they’re in a good spot, so we’re dispensable. A bad faith way to look at it, but it starts to feel that way.
I’ve worked hard to get 16 good reviews over the years and build up experience, and it leaves me wondering is this not enough to be treated like a valued and desirable sitter?
100% agree. We withdraw applications after 48 - 72 hours (depending on how much we like the look of the sit) if there’s been no response, stating: ’ Since we haven’t received your response, we’ll reluctantly withdraw our application’. It’s amazing how quickly a reply is then forthcoming! 
I think it has more to do with the owners attitude than with the sitter’s experience and the same can be said about the other party. Some people just don’t value others or their time.
honestly I think most people just don’t consider other people unless they’re standing directly in front of their face. with everything happening online it can be easy to forget you’re dealing with another human who also has a life that doesn’t happen to revolve around yours.
Totally. We’re all quite atomised these days, and I don’t think it bodes well for the way we relate to one another.