Hi pet lovers - I see there are some similar questions from sitters but thought I’d post since I specifically want to know whether HOs can block messages from certain sitters? I declined a sitter and yet he’s still able to message me. I asked him to stop messaging me but he just now sent another message. I can’t find a “block” button but maybe I’m missing it and there’s a way to do this?
This is a sitter with great reviews so I don’t want to report him, get him banned, etc. I personally don’t feel comfortable with him and do not want him contacting me. I’ve been polite but at this point I’m feeling harassed.
Appreciate any guidance, thank you.
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Hello
I am really sorry to hear about that. That he would keep messaging you after a decline is not okay at all, especially if you have asked him to stop.
Unfortunately there is no way to block communication with someone. Having never been in a similar position, I can’t say for sure whether I would contact THS about it or just let it go. You didn’t say how many times he messaged you after the decline, and after you asked him to stop, but for you to say you feel harassed, I imagine it has been at least a few.
That is nice of you to consider the harsher consequences of reporting him, and whether to just let it go–I can relate to that way of thinking–but you would certainly be well within reason to notify THS.
Sounds like the only thing that might stop him is an admonishment from THS.
I find it quite incredible that their brand-new messaging interface did not include such a basic safety feature like blocking.
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Thanks - I’m hesitant to report him/escalate this, just wish there were a block button. Appreciate the response though 
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Precisely - a basic feature.
I thought “there must be one, I’m just not seeing it.”
Thanks
Reporting this might protect someone else, who might be more troubled by this than you are.
Other web sites have blocking. And when an account gets too many blocks, that may lead to automatic suspension of that account. Or at least flag the account so that admins can have a look at what is going on.
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@PanamaVeggie Ask THS to contact him and direct him to stop contacting you. It is that simple. If it feels like harassment, then contact THS now.
The sitter will still be able to go on his merry way getting sits elsewhere, so you won’t stop his ability to do that.
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With a little more background information, you would receive more sound advice. What is it all about? Is he rude? Why does he write to you? What was your conversation about? Wouldn’t it help just to ignore him by not answering or opening his messages, so he sees that his messages are unseen?
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Just ignore the messages. By replying, you are giving him oxygen.
If you do feel harassed the best thing is to let THS support know and ask them to contact him to request he cease all contact.
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Just archive the chat and don’t open further messages from them.
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I would straight out TELL HIM, if you do NOT stop messaging, I AM going to report you to THS for harassment and let the admins deal with you. I’ve declined you, lets leave it at that. DO NOT reply to this message or contact me again. Once more and you will be reported.
He likely won’t want to risk his membership if he has so many good reviews.
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Silent treatment is better, in my opinion. And reporting right away.
And maybe reserve the YELLING for THS, for spending a little bit of the 100 million GBP on implementing some basic safety features:
- blocking in the brand-new messaging system
- displaying missing reviews of HOs also in the web interface
- displaying missing reviews of sitters
- removing inconsistencies (the different profile views, the differences between web and app)
- binning the immigration letters
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