Right, if issues keep getting raised and a company doesn’t prioritize them, it’s unlikely that they’ll change anytime soon, if ever. And because there aren’t great alternatives, THS is little pressed to act.
TH has zero incentive to roll back this change. They’re the dominant player, so they don’t need to, and it’s also simply not in their financial interests. I’m sure they’re delighted to hear that you are looking at alternatives! They don’t make money per sit. They make money per membership. A sitter who does more than one sit per year is a financial hit for them. They obviously make more money if 12 sitters do 12 sits than if it’s 1 sitter doing those 12 sits. They’d be thrilled if some of the sitters who are long-term “heavy” users leave and open the door to more sitters looking to just do 1-2 holidays a year. They need to spread the sits among more sitters to increase revenue.
5 Likes
Agree. And if the 5-app rule means that sitters are clicking on the website far more often, their SEO stats will be soaring, which is what any business wants.
2 Likes
The result to me (beyond having greatly reduced visibility to a lot of high quality, desirable sits in distant time zones) is that I now apply for absolutely anything that’s even remotely interesting, the second I see it, with a mostly canned form cover letter that lacks personalisation, and then cancel the application later when I realize that there’s something that doesn’t suit my preferences. It’s inconvenient to me, the host, and everybody else. But, I do what I gotta do – a very non-community focused sentiment, I realise.
4 Likes
@meow -true, very good analysis. Spreading out the sits across more members yields indeed more money, with 12 memberships sold of people doing 1-2 sits a year being more lucrative than someone like me who would like to do at least 5 sits a year, if not a little more.
So if I have more difficulty getting good sits due to the new rule, that means it opens up space for e.g. a group of say new members keen to spend a lot of time online to score their first sits and thus more likely to scoop up the sits that will quickly reach the 5 limit. And those new sitters probably tire at some point of the amount of time one would need to spend online to beat the cutoff for popular sits, but then a new wave of members comes in, and a new wave comes in. And the story repeats itself.
2 Likes
That’s fine. But lower the membership fee to reflect the fact that all members no longer have an equal opportunity to apply for sits because of the rule of 5. Now it’s like the old days of eBay, where you have to sit by your computer refreshing at all hours to be fastest on the draw. Not what we signed up for. At all.
HOs are looking for the best sitter. We’re supposed to strive to be the best applicant. Not merely the first. THS is now like those comment sections where people race to comment “FIRST!!” instead of making a meaningful contribution to the discussion. This benefits neither sitters nor HOs. And a lot of sitters who don’t need THS for housing are going to stop paying because we’re automatically being shut out of sits, while HOs (once they figure out what’s going on) will get tired of being limited to 5 applicants without constantly pausing and restarting their listing.
4 Likes
I actually found out about the limit from a home owner - who, btw, also hates the 5 limit. She said she wants to see more applications because she can’t, unless she denies someone’s app
6 Likes
Yeah, I used to spend a lot of time arguing with people on social media in favor of THS, and suggest it to people I know. I don’t do that anymore. I would feel I’m misleading them now, since I know they’d only get sits if they used zero discretion in applying. So THS is definitely missing out on valuable word-of-mouth advertising by making it so difficult.
4 Likes
That is not true. I am on my eighth sit now, all of them in the EU, and I am very happy this time again.
I believe there is a problem when one wants to fill one’s calendar completely. Then maybe one needs to take on any listing with dates that fit.
After this, I have one more sit booked. And after that it is probably time to spend some time at home again. Unless something very nice turns up.
3 Likes
Again, the issue doesn’t apply to people looking for sits in their own timezone. And no, it hasn’t anything to do with filling one’s calendar. I haven’t done a sit in nearly a year, as the 5 apps rule has curtailed my ability to apply for suitable international sits, or sits that aren’t in rural or very suburban areas. If you are in Europe and you want to sit in Europe, yes, this works fine for you. It doesn’t for most people.
2 Likes
I just had a nice sit now for a month in Groningen, within the former city ramparts, easy walking distance from everything. That was not applied to at a hurry.
I was in Bologna, an easy tramride to the center.
I was in Brussels, close to the EU buildings (but ok, that was at Christmas).
Now a few days close to Geneva, it was absolutely lovely at the lake today, I could see the fountain.
I do not think I was particularly fast at applying for any of these. (And I like rural too, villages.)
2 Likes
You really, really aren’t getting it. Let’s try this again.
You are in the same timezone (or within an hour) of the sits you wish to apply for. Therefore, you see the listings closer to real time than people on the other side of the world. Therefore, you get the chance to apply, and don’t have to hurry. The “Apply Now” button appears for you. It doesn’t for us. Because it’s the middle of the night for us.
In other words, your situation puts you in a good position for EU sits. Unfortunately you refuse to even accept the idea that most others are in different circumstances, and so don’t have an easy time of it like you do. At least I understand that I have a better chance at sits in my timezone than people in other parts of the world do . Why can’t you make that simple concession instead of repeatedly denying there’s an issue simply because it doesn’t apply to you?
3 Likes
Because as I recall it, several of those sits were open for days.
1 Like
And as I have already stated, I’m in North America, looking for sits in New Zealand for this winter, one successfully booked still talking to another two.
Still in North America, looking for UK sits for next spring, summer, winter, three booked now.
Still in North America, looking for sits in San Diego, I really wish people would make up their minds… looks like another one is going to be cancelled. Two in a row so it’s back to the drawing board.
Yes, it takes a little more organising and time but being in a different time zone does not curtail applying for sits……see above.
1 Like
The 5 rule impacts us all to varying degrees. Some not at all, others a great deal. We can only share our own experiences, good (I’ve read a few), and bad, of which there are many.
It’s not acceptable that members, myself included, are losing sleep having to check their devices to be one of the five. Membership should give everyone an equal opportunity to apply for sits, not just those that can be constantly phone in hand.
Sadly I can’t see the decision being reversed or amended.
5 Likes
We have to adapt because, as you you say and many others too, it’s here to stay. If you find it unacceptable I would suggest you try something different. No one is holding a gun to anyone’s head.
I deplore the way our NHS is being run nowadays. When it was set up it was a wonderful idea, good health care for everyone. Now it’s the luck of the draw whether you get the care you need or not. I can shout and scream as much as I want but it’s not going to change back. It’s not my company, not my rules. Same goes for THS. Adapt or leave are our choices.
Good luck with your endeavours.
2 Likes
Good evening, @ElsieDownie thanks for replying. You’re right, adaptation is required, which members are doing….my bags are testament to that! 
The NHS has gone through many changes and will continue to do so until it is no more. I am a first responder for the NHS and try to give back what I can to help, it’s not much, but it’s something.
1 Like
AGAIN, being across the world makes it less likely to even see a listing before it closes. That’s just a fact.
And AGAIN, I’m not talking about applying for just random sits. If I had no specific criteria and no restrictions on my schedule or finances, yes, I could apply for anything and everything that happens to be open. The more freedom and means you have, the more likely it is that you’ll get sits. They’re just not necessarily the sits I would want. I couldn’t and wouldn’t apply for a sit with dogs, chickens, goats, etc. or one that requires a car to get around. I’m not looking to travel for the sake of travel, wherever and whenever.
So yes, I’m at a huge disadvantage compared to nomads who will take anything available because this is just what they do. Perhaps THS really should market itself to nomads and those with no fixed abode, because for the rest of us, the pickings are slim.
3 Likes
Some people here think that if something doesn’t impact them, it’s not real. Meanwhile, only their personal circumstances—which are different from anyone else’s—make them immune. They refuse to accept that it could be an issue for others, even though hundreds of posts to the contrary are right in front of them. It simply cannot be true for anyone, because they haven’t experienced it themselves! As if we’re all making things up.
4 Likes
Nomads are very picky about their sits, no random sits for this nomad.
Nomads choose where they want to be very carefully.
Every potential sit is scrutinised and thought about carefully.
I too have very specific criteria when choosing sits.
I definitely have a firm schedule.
My finances are very much limited. We are a couple living off a pension and the income our rented apartment makes.
The dig about which animals I chose to look after, that’s my choice, no one else’s. I enjoy looking after farm animals, dogs, cats, rabbits infact anything but reptiles.
It’s not my, or any one else’s problem, you don’t want to own a car.
And last of all, nomads do not take anything on offer.
We work very hard at enjoying this way of life. It is not handed to anyone on a plate. People get out what they are willing to put in and that’s a lot of time and effort. Yes, trying to apply and be accepted for sits in different time zones is inconvenient with this 5 application rule but even without it who knows what sits we have all missed. Eg. We were accepted for a sit yesterday within 10 minutes of it being posted. It is a complete and utter gem and I’m sure it was on a lot of peoples saved lists. I managed to be in the right place at the right time. Second application and accepted immediately. The host didn’t even wait for her 5 applicants.
It’s inconvenient but not impossible, takes a little more effort but the sits to suit everyone are out there. And there is definitely a little luck involved.
So don’t knock us nomads because of the rule. We are not hoovering up all the potential sits. All the difficulties you are facing we are as well. We just approach them differently. You make us all sound like gypsies, which we are not. Most of the nomads my age have made sacrifices and shrewd financial planning to get to travel during their twilight years.
I really do hope you find a solution to these problems. I have tried other sites and keep coming back here again and again. In my very humble opinion, THS has its issues but it’s the best one I have found, so far. Good luck with your endeavour.
8 Likes