This is why it’s a good strategy to not withdraw your application if you aren’t selected within 48 hours. Nothing is gained by withdrawing and as long as that application is live in the host’s inbox you’ve still got a good chance at getting chosen.
you are talking about a different scenario. If the HO had read our application but not acknowledged it or responded, in any way, we would certainly have moved on within a couple of days.
The difference in this case was that the hosts responded to our Application immediately, showing great interest. Just the car issue needed to be looked into. So we left everything open as it was way back in July and we were not in a hurry to confirm anything at that time.
It was only after they’d checked out all their other applicants and decided we were the best fit, that they came back to us. We did not expect at all that they’d offer to rent a car for us but they’d obviously decided the extra cost was worth it to them to have us- with our great experience (7 years, & 130 5* reviews)- for their peace of mind. They are first time HOs and its a long sit- 2 months- and a lot of responsibility- large home, pool, 2 dogs & 4 cats)
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I wasn’t aware so many experienced sitters use this strategy of withdrawing if they aren’t contacted by a host within 2 days. In our 3 sits we only had one sitter withdraw out of about 20 who applied.
Going forward I’ll drop them a canned line which will say pretty much the same thing as the automated THS message to the effect of “Hi we received your message and are currently reviewing applications we will get back to you soon”. I think it’s a silky waste of time, no better than those automated Happy Birthday greetings generated by various software platforms which are nothing more than business promotions, but hey if that’s what sitters want I’m happy to do it.
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@Lokstar, fantastic story and exciting trip ahead!
We’d separate mindset for use of vehicle (listing attribute) versus compensation.
We have multiple instances where we openly ask about use of vehicle in a housesit application. During video call this is discussed. For some applications, vehicle is a nice-to-have extra but in some cases it is a dealbreaker. Quite often, Pet Parent either had not considered use of vehicle by housesitter; or benefit of vehicle to their pet(s); or indeed wish to incentivize us to consider accepting housesit. Several times, at least, Pet Parent offered use of vehicle that was not on listing. Couple times, Pet Parent has voluntarily offered to pay for basic rental vehicle. Very thoughtful. Seems positive peer-peer adult conversation to pragmatically find best outcome for all concerned. No Pet Parent has expressed concern with us asking about use of vehicle - they’re welcomed to decline our application.
Hope that you have a wonderful time.
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Thank you! 
There is no automated THS message along the lines of what you have written @idocsteve. The only automated one we receive is when the owner has confirmed someone else. Hence why members appreciate their application being acknowledged; otherwise, we move on after 48 hours.
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I had read that sitters get an automated message when the application que is full. I guess that message is only seen by new applicants who attempt to apply after the sit is paused, not those who have already sent theirs.
@idocsteve You guessed right!
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Just so you know THS does NOT send out automated messages to sitters when they apply. The sitter will see on your listing when you reach 5 Apps and your listing goes into ‘reviewing’. This is not the same as receiving a direct message from THS on behalf of you, the host. The only type of message a sitter receives is an automated decline when you, the host, confirm another sitter. So if you want to be a polite and courteous host you will a) acknowledge each and every applicant as soon as possible after reading their application (saying whatever you need to say but do make it personal using their name etc) and b) send a quick “thank you for applying but we’ve gone with someone else this time” type message to each applicant you do not choose- preferably before you hit confirm for your chosen sitter. Confirming a sit triggers the Auto decline message from THS so your personalized message will soften the blow of ‘rejection’ We all know only one sitter can be chosen but sitters are still sensitive souls! And another benefit of being courteous is that if anything goes wrong with your confirmed sitter you may still be able to re-contact previous applicants. If you are not polite and friendly they are far less likely to be your second choice even if they are still available.
Many very experienced sitters like myself have explained to you, in multiple posts, that most sitters would prefer hosts to deal with applications in a prompt and courteous manner. Yet you seem very reluctant to change your approach. Ofcourse that is your perogative. Your latest comment shows a very begrudging attitude regarding the simple courtesy (of acknowledging & quickly responding)to sitters who have invested time and effort into applying to your sit. Why not listen to those who been much longer in the business than you? There is much to learn.
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I am listening. I posted that I intend to drop a quick message to sitters who apply letting them know I received their application and I am reviewing applicants.
That doesn’t change the fact that I personally believe it’s rather silly and will only help retain a small fraction of applicants who are put off by not getting a reply, as I said in our 3 sits to date only one withdrew.
I had no issues with any applicants as I worked my way down the list starting with those who seemed the most qualified. Most didn’t seem to be the least bit bothered by my failure to contact them within 48 hours.
It really depends on how long till your sit starts.
Since it’s a topic about transportation costs, I’ve had more than once that HOs take a long time to respond, decide, and so forth. Meanwhile I let them know that I can do the sit ‘at this point’ because ‘right now’ train/plane fares are still within an acceptable range. However that by e.g. the end of the week that will no longer be the case.
HOs often don’t seem to consider that a sitter incurs real costs for getting to & from their place, and that as sitters if we respond to their request do not like to be slapped with an extra expensive train or plane fare, just because the HO took a lot of time to respond.
A while ago for instance: last minute sit. I let the HO immediately know I was available. HO said someone else responded just a little earlier and was available for a video call in 2 days time (sit started in 5 days). If that sitter couldn’t do it, she’d get back to me. I let the HO know that if I was going to wait 2 days, I could no longer buy an affordable train fare. And that I was available for a video call that same evening. HO was not in a hurry though, and expected me to wait those 2 days. Well, I didn’t. I’m not going to pay extra for their ‘unwillingness’ to make a swift decision.
And so going back to the topic of this thread:
I would LOVE it if more HOs would offer to contribute to the fare of getting to their place.
I sometimes see HOs with quite late requests, in a location that’s expensive to get to at short notice, and who struggle to get a sitter. Sometimes I contact them, let them know I’m available and happy to do it, however that the current fare from me to them for those dates is XYZ. I then leave it with that.
I always find it interesting that generally (or let’s say: so far always) those HOs choose to just sit it out, hoping someone does show up who happens to live nearby or similar, rather than deciding: ok, I need a sitter. Here I have someone with a long and very good track record. Why not contribute a modest amount to their fare such that they can confirm & I don’t have to go and find an alternative solution such as kennel?