Is it usual to receive a msg along with the automated decline notification?
Fortunately, I haven’t received many decline messages but it would be so helpful to know what factors brought the homeowner to that decision as it might help the type of application I put forward.
It’s so frustrating to just receive ‘decline’.
How do others feel …?
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As sitters, we get requests to sit quite regularly and have always declined with the exception of one sit.
We always write a personalised reply though, even if we received a generic copy and paste request.
Hope that helps.
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Hi @Lynn
This is discussed regularly on THS. In fact there was a thread started yesterday on the same subject.
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You can always ask them - write a brief reply to the automatic decline message - thank you for considering my application can I ask if there is anything that I could do to improve my application ?
However a decline doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with your application - the hosts can only choose one sitter . They may have had 5 great applications - and as they can only choose one - they may have selected the first one who applied .
As @Lynn has mentioned, there as several threads on this topic that you can read to see other people’s experience.
Regarding your expectations of improving your application based on feedback, it seems you are assuming that there’s something wrong with your application or that the reason you have not been chosen has something to do with your application but you are competing with other applicants so think the owners may have just found a good match and looked no further. It could be that they are choosing sitters they already know (nobody would stand a chance there), it could be sitters are local (more peace of mind regarding possible delays for example), it could be age or gender (some owners do specify their preference, others don’t but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a preference. I know I have been chosen a couple of times because of my age. It is easier for them to believe I won’t be partying around and leave the pets unattended). These circumstances are beyond your control, so don’t take it personally. I am more often declined with no message at all, when I do get a message they usually just say thanks, they have chosen somebody else, a couple of times they said they had chosen someone local and once they said they preferred someone who spoke German (I don’t and this was in Germany)
Something we can control is what we choose to say in the application and our profile and that may make a difference (depending on the level of competition) In my opinion, an honest, personalized application that addresses all requirements of the listing and that focuses more on the pets and how we may be a good match is more likely to be successful.
This topic has also been discussed on the forum. There are different opinions regarding length and level of personal information but surely it will help you improve your applications.
Don’t get discouraged, we all get a fair amount of refusals with no message and still get offers for great sittings.
Good luck.
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Sometimes they take the first suitable applicant.
Sometimes they take the young and handsome, sometimes they take an older person.
Telling you that kind of reasons would not help you in any way.
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Hi,
Thanks for responding.
I actually meant it the other way around.
I always send a short paragraph thanking them for the invite and explaining why I cannot accept. It would just be nice if this worked the other way.
Regards
Lynn
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Thank you.
I am neither taking it personally or getting upset. I was simply curious if others also found it rude.
I’m aware of all the possible reasons but if the HO qualified it, it was not only be courteous but also satisfy one’s curiosity.
Many thanks
Lynn
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Yes, and that’s exactly what have done, but no reply - hence my original question.
Many thanks
Lynn
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I used to sort of get upset if I was declined without a message being sent.
Its basic manners in my opinion to say ‘thanks for your application, however we have decided to go with someone else’.
I have twice asked for feedback as to why I was not suitable, once it was as they wanted a remote worker so the cat had someone in the house near on full time, and the other time I was told that as my profile mentions that I like a nice tidy and clean house to come in to, that I wasn’t suitable.
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We recently got a decline from someone in Spain. We were already in Spain and our sits before and after their dates were perfectly situated- location & datewise- to accomodate their sit. We are travelling sitters and have our current location listed as Alicante, Spain.
The host thanked us for our application but explained she was looking for someone “more local”!!
I’m really not sure how she’d find someone even more local than us when we were already on her doorstep!
I think she could have chosen a more believable excuse!! 
Hi Louise,
Thanks for your response.
I did politely ask what the deciding factors were but she hasn’t even opened my message.
The thing that threw me was she messaged yesterday and asked if I could just bear with her until the weekend (which I answered to say of course) and then this morning a decline msg.
It’s my first overseas application so I just wanted to know if that was the issue.
Never mind, I won’t be losing sleep over it.
Cheers
Lynn
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I think many Homeowners feel awkward to send reasons why they selected someone else. As other said, they probably got 5 great sitters and just went with the one that just felt right, or was the first, or was more like their personality. It’s not personal. Only 1 sitter can get selected, which means 4 will get declined.
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The system automatically sends notification when hosts choose another sitter, so a lot of hosts don’t think it’s necessary to say something. Sometimes hosts make things clear on listings like most have X number of reviews, or must be travelling solo, so they might feel no obligation to tell someone they’re being rejected for applying without respecting the guidelines.
I wouldn’t take it personally. It probably isn’t personal. However, if you are worried there’s something you could be explaining better on your application or that there is something you are doing that’s turning off hosts, than there is no reason you can’t write and simply ask. This can also be in the context of, “It looks like you went with another sitter. I hope it works out. If it doesn’t, I’d still be happy to talk to you about this sit or future ones. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could you let me know how you made your choice?”
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Thanks Marion,
I’m not taking it personally or getting upset. However, I did send a message politely asking the deciding factors but no reply. I just think it would be courteous to reply.
When sitters decline an invitation, we’re prompted to send a msg, so I would imagine the HO’s are too, so they must actually choose not to.
No big deal - I was just curious.
Thanks for your reply.
Cheers
Lynn
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I would not assume that. THS does not treat owners and sitters equally.
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The only time that I was disappointed there was no personal message was when the HO was also a sitter on THS. I would have thought they’d have a little more insight how that would appear
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Homeowners get a message that they don’t need to do anything as THS will notify them.
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@Marion that’s not nice. Makes it all so impersonal. And yet sitters are still invited to add a message when they decline an invitation or withdraw an application…
Most people very much appreciate a personal note. THS should encourage this- not the opposite.
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I was declined an hour after applying for a last minute sit in my own city for this weekend … I was being kind offering to do it. They still have nobody…. but it’s ok, they didn’t want me and it’s fine.