Another question and self-reflection as a newbie on THS…
I’m a bit disappointed in how I handled confirming our first THS sit. The house ticked all our boxes, and there was lots of information in the listing and numerous 5 star reviews. I sent a short message saying that I would provide a personalised application in a few hours but they sent us a confirmation link with a short message along the lines of “you look great & look forward to meeting you”.
I like to be thorough so I still sent my intended application and asked if we could arrange a conversation this week. They’ve come back with essentially “no need, you’re a great fit - let’s get in touch closer to the time” (couple of months away). We’ve been house sitting on an Aussie platform and always chat first to do our due diligence. But it’s like my brain froze because of the rush to apply and then the rush to confirm! So I said that would be great and confirmed.
Now though I’m wondering how I could have responded better and have some questions please:
Do HOs usually send a confirmation link before chatting? This has happened twice now out of 3 successful applicants.
Once a confirmation link is sent, can a HO cancel it before I choose to accept?
This HO is obviously experienced with THS and very relaxed. What could I have said in reply to their “no need to chat now” message to ensure we do our due diligence without sounding pushy, insecure or not trusting of them?
Do you have a rule that you always have a conversation before confirming and be happy to walk away if not?
So now I don’t have HO contact details (they have mine) and don’t know when I should ask for the Welcome Guide. I done goofed, as my kids would say!
Request (insist upon) the welcome guide, so you know what is expected of you.
It is a bit of a red flag being accepted so easily. We say that with 30 fantastic reviews. We learned the hard way that the probable reason for the HO not wanting to chat was to conceal the dogs behaviour until nearer the sit date and disclose it in the WG. Hope that is not the case with your sit.
Of course, the HO could have legitimate reasons for not wanting a chat medical or orherwise.
Definitely request the Welcome Guide and keep chasing if it doesn’t come through within a couple of days.
I suggest you also message the host to advise you have requested the Guide and say you will follow it up with a chat after you have read it. Also ask for contact details outside the THS messaging system.
Personally I wouldn’t confirm a sit without having a chat with a host first.
Lots of information on here regarding the type of questions to ask - use the spyglass at the top to search for examples.
I don’t, yet but I am getting there.
I have been offered a sitting with no contact other than my application on 4 occasions. One was really great. Another was good although the original listing was for 1 dog and two cats and I ended up taking care of one dog and 4 cats, the increase was gradual, first one extra cat, then the other.
The last one was the one that really made me think twice before accepting a sitting without a previous chat. The pictures showed a very untidy house, red flag I should have paid more attention to, but it was just filthy and the dogs peed everywhere. I just counted the hours to get out of that house.
After all that, yesterday I was offered WhatsApp texting instead of the video chat I had suggested. I wasn’t very excited but thought I could give it a go and see how the texting went. It turned out that she had not read my application, where I informed of my flight, and she wanted me to be there for an earlish handover. Her words, when inviting me to chat, were “all sounds good to me”. It wasn’t so good after all.
In spite of having had one great experience with no previous chat, I’m now seriously considering that if the owner doesn’t care about a chat, they are probably too careless for my thoroughness and my anxiety or they may even be trying to hide something.
This varies. I am happy not to chat but, once they say they are interested in us, I list on the messaging system my questions and they then answer on the site. This way there is no ambiguity.
I don’t know
You are in charge, it is you that wants this information, ask your questions as mentioned above
No, in about half of my sits I have not spoken to the HO. I always obtain their address before confirming so I can do my due diligence on the neighbourhood, public transport etc. I always say that it is a condition of my acceptance that I receive the WG or word document. I have withdrawn if it is not forthcoming or has any surprises.
You have not goofed, be assertive and find out full details of their arrival and departure times to ensure they suit you
No need to feel that you’ve goofed. You have credible experience.
The me does not always need to have video anything. There are people who are confident with their instincts and easygoing.
Ask for the guide, use your inbox to ask any questions.
It’s just different than what you’re used to.
Enjoy the new.
Thanks @Twitcher - that all sounds sensible. I think I was thrown by the HO not feeling a need to chat until closer to the sit (Sept) and whether they’ll think I’m being too pedantic asking for the WG now.
@DeeMcC I get accepted for sits without chats or video meetings etc often, more so in Australia than internationally I must admit. I think it’s totally fine and I actually like it that way. I personally wouldn’t be asking for a Welcome Guide yet, it’s still a very fresh booking so let the dust settle for a bit then ask. Very important though that you do get back to them asap and request a WhatsApp/phone and/or email contact and suggest to them that it is much easier and safer (so as not to miss any THS communication) to stay in touch that way.
I’ve only confirmed one sit without a video chat- the HO suggested we meet up once we arrive in the area over Xmas (Perth Australia) which is 2 weeks before the sit… it’s only a 3 days sit, and my feeling was if they’re willing to risk us saying no last minute it must be ok I think. Also there’s a swimming pool!
Thanks @Newpetlover - I was reading some of your other posts about these experiences and admired your resilience! We’ve just done out 6th house sit with Aussie House Sitters and each have been really fantastic. Part of my disappointment with how I handled our first THS sit was because I let the sense of “time pressure” get to me. Will do better next time, as it sounds like you’ll be doing too!
Appreciate your answers @Itchyfeet. I like your approach with #1. And yes, we’re generally good with being assertive but I let the “dream housesit” part get the better of me! With #4 I might get around one day to explicitly making the WG a condition of acceptance but need to work up a lot more reviews first I expect! Thanks for the great advice!
Aww, thanks @Amparo. I did feel I goofed somewhat! I’m an over thinker (can you tell ). We’ve been both a HO and HS on another site and are usually confident in our judgement & instinct. I think you’re right in that it’s different to what were used to. Definitely intend to enjoy the new. Cheers!
I have had this done on nearly half of my sits. The only negative thing I’ve found accepting the sit without a proper chat first, has been the arrival and leaving times. Ive ended up having to arrive early morning and leave early evening on a few. I would now clarify something like that before accepting.
Hey @ziggy - that’s all really reassuring, thank you! It feels like a good balance and a comfortable approach for me, especially the let-the-dust-settle part. But will ask for contact details this week and proactively follow up on the WG in a bit. Thanks!
When I applied to a sit that I liked, where I do not see problems, where I get positive vibes from enthusiastic reviews, I like it when the owners give a sense of being easygoing and experienced at this. I also like speed in decisions.
That’s reassuring @pietkuip. That’s how I felt with this one, but since it was our first confirmation I wasn’t sure if I should’ve pushed more for a conversation. I’m feeling more ok about it. Thanks!
). We’ve been both a HO and HS on another site and are usually confident in our judgement & instinct. I think you’re right in that it’s different to what were used to. Definitely intend to enjoy the new. Cheers!