I am rather new to this side. I had one sit in May and it was perfect !
So I advertised another sit in November, got a few applications and choose a young lady from Argentina who is touring Europe. We had two phone calls and were exchanging messages on Whatsapp. She accepted the sit. All good.
We exchanged some messages after she accepted and she replied within hours.
However, last communication was 5th October, since then I whatsapped here, wrote messages on TrustedHouseitters, tried to call her on whatsapp and left messages on her voicemail. Today is the 18th October and I did not get any response.
This gives me a concern of course. What would you do in my situation ? Just wait and see if she turns up as agreed on 15th November ? Have you been in a similar situation ?
Many thanks for your advice or sharing your experience
The fact that she hasn’t replied to your voicemail is a bit worrying. I would send her one last message, giving her a set period to respond, if she still doesn’t reply, cancel the sit and relist. You’ve still got time to get another sitter.
@Joachim, welcome to THS Forum. And delighted to hear that you recently enjoyed a “perfect” first experience of a housesitter.
We have completed many housesits in Schengen area - indeed currently housesitting in Croatia
You are clearly concerned. Lack of recent communication could be anything from a temporary oversight or a red flag. OP does not state ballpark date at which the sit was confirmed. Clarifying the situation seems a priority.
May we suggest that you contact THS via support@trustedhousesitters.com or via app/site chat function. Explain situation to THS Member Services. They have incremental communication methods for the housesitter.
We absolutely do not encourage that you “just wait and see if she turns up”. If THS MS involvement does not re-engage communications then it is your decision to cancel the sit and relist the housesit opportunity - still one month away so, subject to your listing, there is a reasonable chance of securing a replacement sitter. That said, there was clearly positive traction with your confirmed sitter so hopefully communication is restored.
The sitter may be off grid or dealing with an emergency. I would say she could have lost her phone, but by now she would have figured that out. Given all your communication already and the fact that your sit is in November, she may not be paying attention for some reason. Did you already arrange her arrival plan? She may not realize there is anything outstanding that you need from her. With all that said, I would ask THS to intervene. Hope she is okay and all works out with the the sit.
