Does anyone else find it rude that especially when you’ve been texting someone back and forth they just send a decline with no explanation. Especially when they said if the person they were interviewing first didn’t work out they would contact you? Or they never contact you at all to even thank you for applying or ask for an interview and they just decline abruptly. I’ve applied for six where I was the only applicant and they never contacted me and then a couple more people apply and then they drop off and then more people apply again. I think some people just are bad communicators and don’t get back to people or for some reason aren’t interested in the people that apply at all and they just don’t even respond. I’ve had great reviews and put a lot of time and thought into my applications. It seems like it would just be common courtesy for someone to at least acknowledge your application. Especially if for some reason the person they pick doesn’t work out then they can have a backup. But I guess not everyone thinks like I do. It’s just frustrating.
For them, we are just fish in the pool of potential sitters.
It happens. The “meh” muscle slowly builds up. The first time I was shocked at the rudeness. Now, I simply press archive and enjoy my day. You did your part. If you ever flip the coin and are a HO, just give the courtesy to your applicants that you wish was shown to you.
What you describe is rude, but such people exist and you’re better off if you can reframe things — their rudeness actually helps underscore how you dodged a bullet in not getting their sit.
As Maya Angelou said, when people show you who they are, believe them.
Yes I think I care about being courteous or respectful a lot more than some people do obviously. Even when I write a review i am very detailed and appreciative when I have a good experience. In return,someone who has been very appreciative and expressive in person and text leaves a 5 star but is underwhelming in terms of lacking details or reasons in the review. It is like the review is perfunctory or an afterthought It is frustrating not feeling your efforts were recognized. Also,it could affect getting future sits. Just frustrating.
I must admit I find writing reviews difficult. I can’t write gushing reviews not matter how good the sitter was. My reviews are only ever a few lines long, I complientment the sitter on their skills, say how happy my pets are, that my home was clean and tidy, and that I would be happy for them to sit again. I don’t feel the need to go into fine details. Isn’t this all anyone else needs to know?
Yes, thats all anyone needs to know
I agree. I try to be a bit gushing when I write reviews, but it is not quite my style. The review that I liked almost best said “I have no complaints” 
(It followed a previous review with a litany of complaints.)
Unfortunately common courtesy isn’t always common.
@Oztravels Neither is common sense 
I believe that when an Owner selects a Sitter, the other applicants automatically and immediately receive a rejection notice. Some Owners might not be aware of this.
Perhaps an Owner can tell us what they experience during the process of accepting and confirming a Sitter.
I agree with the original poster that it can seem rude at times, especially if you obviously spent a lot of time writing a personalized application and had some interaction with the Owner prior to the rejection notice.
I’m an owner and always take the time to first respond to the applicant and, if I am declining their app for some reason (usually because they are asking to bring a child or pet), I explain this to them but thank them for applying and THEN I decline their app. If I have a few people ahead of other applicants, I always let them know I have a couple of others to chat with that came in first and I always get back to them. I also stop my applications after receiving a few just to take a breath and work through the ones I have so I don’t accidentally ghost someone. I agree, it’s common courtesy and I think there should be courteous precedents set on both sides. So far, it’s been a great experience and this community is wonderful! Cheers to all you wonderful sitters out there!
And that’s how you do it @mamawann - wonderful approach! #lessonsfromthemaster
Thank you for all the responses. I do admit that I’m a bit of an over thinker and can be quite verbose at times. That’s not everybody’s style and I guess it’s not needed as long as the gist overall is that they were satisfied with me as a sitter and at least convey that in their review. I’m still learning not to take things personally or expect people to do things the same way that I do. To the owners out there who do reach out to thank the sitter’s for applying or inform them of their process or whatever, it’s very appreciated just to be given some acknowledgment even if there is disappointment for not getting the sit.
Yes, it feels hurtful and seems rude. I just had someone decline my application after writing her a very heartfelt, genuine offer , and explanation of the fact that she lives in my home town where I lived for over 40. Yrs . Giving me definitive reason to be interested in her sit. Sitters usually get paid per night 60.00 minimum and we are doing it for free , I think I go out of my way to write a personal message
Try to think of it as ‘not a match’ rather than a rejection. The owner knows what they’re seeking and wants a good match. Just see it as not one for you. It’s 50/50 matching that’s key here.
I totally agree that we are not a match , now or in the future, if someone shows no respect or manners to me. I think of this a relationship platform, creating win/win situations and we should be respectful and friendly to those that may not be a match. That’s just who I am. I know in life, some are not like that.
Sort of on the same subject, I find it incredibly rude when hosts read your application and just ignore, not even an acknowledgement. I’ve been leaving it a week and then withdraw my application and now I actually tell them that my reason for withdrawal is due to their lack of acknowledgement/response.
I like your response and I do the same. I am new here and still learning, but maybe the folks that ignore applications will learn from us. Most of the sits I see only have about 2 or 3 applications so it’s not like they have hundreds to answer.
It’s just downright rude 
but never mind, we move on the next. I do hope it makes some homeowners think!