Hi everyone,
I’m a sitter with several sits done but this is my first time interacting with a host with-let’s say-less sense or urgency.
We’ve done our video call. They’re nice and we clicked. Some time later, I got a message that they’d love to have me as a sitter, but not the THS official invite that sitters can click to confirm. I said yes and await official confirmation. My message has been “read.”
But nothing since then. I mean, once decided, isn’t it like a 2-second process for HOs to accept an application?
How long shall I wait before sending them a follow-up message? And can you please help me word the follow-up, don’t want to sound rude or naggy. I’ve only had experience with HOs who are pretty quick to confirm after our chat. On my side, since I have the app, I also usually confirm immediately.
Thank you very much.
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Have you explained to them that they need to officially confirm you as their sitter? They likely don’t understand the process as they are new .
Maybe point them to this link
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/19008059223709-How-do-I-confirm-a-sitter
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agreed with @Silversitters – I’ve had to educate some new HOs on the process. some newbies think that because there’s been a verbal agreement, it’s all arranged.
a simple message like, “looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks! just to make it official, do you mind clicking ‘confirm’ in the app?” should do the trick
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Good to see exactly what that looks like. Thank you for the link.
At the bottom of those instructions would be a good place to add “Unchosen applicants will receive an automatic decline message when you confirm a sitter. It would be nice to send a brief personal message to the unchosen applicants.”
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We’ve done quite a number of sits with first timers. Just pop them a message, say something nice to open and then
“Have you had chance to do the official THS confirmation from you yet? It doesn’t look like it from my end, but I know there’s sometimes a few hours time delay with the system. If not, it’s no problem at all, but could you sort it by Monday night (or whenever), so those dates are properly set in stone for you.” (that way they’ll see it’s in their best interest to do it)
Also, give them the below link to make things crystal clear to them that it’s just the hit of a button.
https://support.trustedhousesitters.com/hc/en-gb/articles/19008059223709-How-do-I-confirm-a-sitter
When you video chat in future with newbies, prompt them to confirm by the end of the day or tomorrow at the latest but word it in a friendly chit-chatty way, as though you are being nice and helpful guiding them through the process.
I’d only wait a 3 days after a video call, although I don’t think any newbies have kept us waiting at all, because I always prompt them to do it fast, but always in a helpful sounding way, not in a way ‘I’m going to ditch you’ way.
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@buildabearwithme Some, especially first-timers, misunderstand the process, overlooking that both must technically click ‘Confirm’/‘Accept.’ I had one who only realised this after I ultimately withdrew.
This is likely due to marketing that portrays the interaction as booking a service rather than a mutual, voluntary agreement.
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Thanks guys! I’ll wait a little more and if they still haven’t confirmed after 3 days, I’ll nudge them like @HappyDeb said and send them the link.
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