Personally, I will confirm a booking without chatting 1st, I also prefer to chat nearer the time to the actual sit, especially if it’s booked/confirmed a long time ahead. Though, I think it is being camera shy, that I prefer to wait before early video calling 
However, I do give all the information I can up front & answer any questions, as well as giving access to my sitters guide. If however, a sitter wanted to video call sooner, I would accommodate them. I also offer them to come a day early, so that they can interact with my dog.
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Thank you @LucyCharm, it’s great to get a HO’s perspective. Can I ask whether you’d confirm a new sitter with few reviews without a conversation first?
Some people just don’t like to chat. It’s not a red flag for me by itself. In two cases I was invited for a sit and they confirmed me. In both cases, I put off accepting as politely as I could until we could talk to make sure we really were on the same page.
I’m also a petparent. I would never accept a sitter first without a chat and I’ve been surprised sometimes by people that looked great on paper and some who didn’t look quite as good but were great when I talked to them.
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Hi Dee, I would have private message chats first before accepting, but to be honest, I do that anyway. I generally get a feel for someone this way & from these message chats, always through the THS site only, I will accept or decline requests. I have also changed my mind on a sit, because after accepting the sitter, their chat became more relaxed & they said a few things that made me less confident. It’s not something that I would do lightly, but I/we have to be certain.
I have also had a sitter retract a sit, but she left plenty of time to find another sitter.
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Thanks for sharing your approach @LucyCharm. My preference as a sitter is similar in that I prefer to message first to get a sense whether we might suit each other’s requirements, and if that goes well, then arrange a person-to-person chat for final confirmation 
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Hi @Twitcher @ziggy @alpem @Newpetlover @pietkuip @Jenny and others
Just following up with an update. The sit starts in one month. I requested the WG just over a week ago, followed up the day after with my contact details (again) and asked for theirs, and then 5 days ago sent some questions along the lines of what time do you need us there, etc. All my messages haven’t been read yet.
I’ve been tempted to send another message along the lines of “we value good communication and unfortunately, I’m not feeling confident about going forward with your housesit. If you agree to cancel us now, you’ll have plenty of time to find another sitter.”
I know cancelling is a really big issue so I’m not sure if I’m over-reacting or how to move this forward if they aren’t reading my messages.
Edited to add the listing to my profile - has numerous positive reviews from previous sitters. *Edited to remove listing in case it’s not allowed!
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Hi @DeeMcC I think you sound like you are pushing the proverbial you know what uphill to be honest! IMO with all you have written over all this time, I can sense you are definitely not comfortable with how any of this is panning out. I’ve said it a hundred times before and I’ll say it again, follow your gut instinct - if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. She could be just laxy dazy - or not. I had a sit confirmed just like this one of yours and the HO did the exact same thing to me, she was very entitled and ended up really messing me around so I cancelled (Aussie Housesitters). She found a replacement soon after but I felt such relief once I cancelled and I know it was going to be a red flag sit. Send the message stating what you have written here and walk away. They will be receiving emails that they have messages on the site to read and they aren’t responding. What does all this tell you? 
Oh, I just thought, you could always contact support explaining that none of your numerous messages have been read or replied to and you are concerned, see if they will phone the HO and see what’s happening. Then at least if they try and still no contact, they will possibly cancel the sit for you.
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Thanks @ziggy, yes we confirmed over a month ago. The last messaging before this lot was just after confirming. We asked for a phone chat and the owner said “no need, let’s chat closer to the time” and me foolishly agreeing 
I’ve linked the listing to my profile. They have 8 5-star reviews from past sitters, good info, etc which is why we were excited. But the lack of communication is feeling like an “unequal” valuing of us as sitters. With this being our first THS sit I’ve been a bit flummoxed!
Ahh, @ziggy - just saw your suggestion about contacting member services. Thanks I’ll try that! But it kinda sounds like it could be super awkward with the owners if we do make contact after a nudge from member services. They’ll probably think we’re being overly paranoid!
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@DeeMcC wow! I take it all back, can I have the sit??? 
That is a multi million dollar penthouse for sure! And fantastic reviews!
I don’t understand, nearly all the reviews say what great communicators they are and yet here we are. I also see they have a written out guide for you which personally I prefer to the THS welcome guide. I know this sounds a total backflip but gee, they sound great AND accommodating from all the reviews. You are only in Canberra at least, not that far away. Can you hold off for another week and then if you haven’t heard anything, contact support and ask them to contact the owners explaining you have had no responses whatsoever from numerous attempts and you are concerned. It just all sounds too odd and now even I wouldn’t know what to do after reading those reviews 
You could simply say you are worried something might have happened and you are genuinely concerned for the homeowners as there has been no responses, then you won’t sound paranoid lol
I read also she is teaching AND studying for her Masters so she is pretty full on. Courtesy to reply though but I’m starting to feel like she is just very time poor.
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I agree with @ziggy, if you can wait a bit, perhaps it’s worth waiting, there’s still a month. If you don’t have news, then you could contact THS showing concern. It is strange, the reviews are great and specifically mention communication. The dogs look adorable and the apartment is gorgeous.
I’m not sure you get the email alerts if you have not set it. I wonder if they’re too busy making money and just consider this issue already “dealt with”. They did say that they would get in touch closer to the dates maybe they plan to contact you later. I don’t know.
I think the most important thing is how you feel about it. If you can relax and wait, good. If you are nervous and feel you really need a sit and are not confident that this one is going to work I am sure THS could cancel it for you with those unread messages.
The sit is confirmed, would you “risk” not sitting at all in those dates (that’s just a possibility to consider, I think they will get in touch later) and still keep the sit and enjoy the experience.
Also, if you are a premium member, you can have more peace of mind in case the sit is cancelled.
Up to you. Whatever you decide, don’t worry too much.
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Haha!! That’s exactly been my dilemma!!! I really appreciate your advice! Will digest it all…I know at least that if we cancel and the owners have to relist, it’ll get snapped up so they won’t be without a sitter.
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Thanks @Newpetlover - we sit for fun and a change of scenery while my husband works so I think you and @ziggy are right and I’ll give them another week. I think i’m more on the side of its just good manners to reply even if it’s a “will get back to you” and the lack of it irks me! The reviews were very positive about communication so I’ll see 
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@DeeMcC , I think @Newpetlover says it as I do so I hope it helps. I totally agree that it is simply good manners to respond, absolutely agree! I think this lady is just in a bit over her head with life at present and isn’t giving you the time you deserve but I honestly believe it will all work out. Give it just a little more time x
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Then, stop worrying. Wait and hope for the best.
This is an ideal sit. I would fly all the way from Spain, just to do this sit!
You’re right but I really believe the owners are not aware of your messages. They are unread. It would be totally different if they were phone messages or emails but most owners only use the site when they need a sitter. They’ve got you now and will get back to you closer to the sit.
Relax and enjoy the anticipation of those gorgeous pets and the gorgeous views.
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Thanks again @Newpetlover and @ziggy for the reassurance. I’ll relax for now and see what unfolds Plus, that view!! 
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Well, I hope it plays out well for you. I find it unacceptable to be incommunicado in the phase where my sitter has to plan all the things. If I had not given you other means of contact, I’d be checking my inbox all the time.
I also find it unacceptable to deny a requested chat. Not only the HO has questions, the sitter has too. Trust needs to be built.
I believe due to the “fantastic million dollar penthouse with great views” the owners might be overconfident in “what they have to offer” that they essentially see sitters as commodity. It might work out well, but it could also go south.
I wish you the best; please keep this thread updated, so we can all participate 
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Yup. I wouldn’t compromise on host behavior, no matter what the location or home. That’s because hosts are the top potential dealbreaker for any sit. And I look for red flags from the outset — better to get a false negative than to risk a bad sit, IMO.
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Will do @elmi4711! Thanks for supportive words
It’s certainly been a learning experience @Maggie8K. Am honing my red flag radar
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