In posts from 2022, it was noted that when HOs read messages/applications on the TH app, the sitter wouldn’t see a message that their message/application had been read.
Does anyone know if the app has been updated since 2022 so sitters can see if their message/application has been read by a HO?
I submitted an application over 2 weeks ago, and in my Inbox, it still shows as “Unread.” I’ve never had this happen before, and thus I’m curious whether a HO could use the TH app to read my application and I still see “Unread” under the application…???
And for other sitters, have you submitted an application for a sit and never heard from the HO…??? A decline with no message would have been preferable over nothing…
I have the app but I prefer to use the website more, and one thing I have noticed is that the app can still sometimes show the message as ‘unread’ even though I can see the message has been read when looking on the website. Eventually it seems to register but for some reason it is delayed. I don’t check this for every thread I have so maybe it isn’t all the time, but I have noticed it in a few instances.
Thanks for the reply. What I was trying to find out is whether the THS app has been updated since 2022, so if a HO reads your application, then it will be marked as “Read.”
If the THS app has not been updated, then HOs can continue to read your application on the app, and the pet sitter will not know that it has been read. This is frustrating, not knowing whether your application has been read or is being ignored.
Thanks for the reply. I guess it would be best to contact THS to see if they have indeed updated the app since 2022 or whether HOs can still read your application on the app and the pet sitter not be aware.
Sometimes HOs post sits and never read the applications or read them but never respond or confirm a sitter. I sometimes leave them on my dashboard out of curiosity. I have watched some sit there unread for weeks or months. Once the dates pass, it disappears. The HO either decided not to go on their trip or made other arrangements and didn’t bother to remove their listing.
I was aware that if a HO reads your application on the computer then you will see it marked as “Read” under the application. My question was trying to find out if the THS app has been updated since 2022 so that when a HO reads your application on the app then it will be marked as “Read.” As per the post from 2022, the app was allowing HOs to read an application and the pet sitter will still see it marked as “Unread.”
I guess my best course of action will be to try and contact someone at THS to inquire about any updates to the app. Since it can be difficult to reach someone at THS, I thought I would inquire here to see whether anyone knew whether the app has been update to properly reflect whether an application has been read or not through the app.
On the website it says ‘seen by Mary’ if it’s been read, on the app it will show as ‘read’ at the bottom of the message. If it doesn’t say ‘read’ or ‘seen by …’ then it has not been read.
There was an inbox update maybe a year ago. I haven’t seen any show as ‘unread’ since then.
Thanks for the reply. When I view my Inbox on the computer for the sit I applied to 17 days ago, I have no notation as to whether it has or hasn’t been read. So it doesn’t say - “Seen by ???”… it’s just blank. When I go to the THS app, it’s shows the application is “Unread” by the HO. So doing some research on the forum led me to a post from 2022 where pet sitters mentioned that the app won’t show an application or message as being “Read”… only “Unread”… thus my question about whether the app has been updated.
I just wish all HOs were aware of the importance of notifying the sitters as soon as possible.
On the website, it’s just blank if it hasn’t been read and switches to ‘seen by’ once it’s been read. It seems both the app and website are showing that your application has not been read.
That’s what I was thinking… the application hasn’t been read until I saw the post from 2022 then I wondered if the website was accurate or whether the app just won’t show either way…
I’ll just assume it hasn’t been read. I thought about just withdrawing my application since it’s been 17 days but it’s such an ideal sit with 2 beautiful cats, and at a great location…
And the listing has been showing - “Reviewing applications” - since Saturday…
I wonder if THS sends HOs messages if applications are ignored for a certain amount of time…???
They do show as read and unread for both. I have a dual account. I also know from an experience I had with a homeowner who never looked at her messages, that “unread” is accurate. As a sitter, I always leave my phone number when I apply. As a homeowner, I always give the sitter my phone number if I want to move this up to having a chat.
I NEVER use the app/THS messaging once a sit is confirmed as both a homeowner and a sitter. I either use regular phone text or Whatsapp. Definately WhatsApp if I’m out of the US.
I was asked to update my app by a THS push notification this week. Interestingly one of my recent applications is still “ unread” after 3 days. Previous applications showed as read in the app if they were. I’ll check the desktop and let you know if there’s an anomaly.
No, THS does not send messages to HOs if applications are ignored.
Just a thought about the “Reviewing Applications” status. This may not mean that the HO is actually reviewing. If a listing reaches 5 applicants then the listing automatically pauses and shows this status. All the other 4 applicants may be waiting like you are.
It is not actually an ideal sit if the HO can’t be bothered to read your application. I would treat this as a Red Flag. If the HO is slow now, then it doesn’t bode well for future communication and receiving their Welcome Guide.
@MichaelinVA02 It sounds like your application has not been read. After 17 days most sitters would have given up and moved on! This host may have had a change of plan and not bothered to update or remove their listing. Who knows?! But if you are really keen on this sit anyway I’d send a follow up message, in the hope it triggers a response! I would have already sent that message after 2/3 days and then given up if still not read/no response.
Re- An app update. I’ve been a member since 2018 and I have never noticed any discrepancy on read/unread status. Some hosts just never read their messages! Or they read a message and never bother to respond which is plain rude! A great sit comes up, you apply, as do many others, then radio silence! Most times you never find out the reason. So best just to move on!
I don’t have a list of ALL the emails thIey send and many emails will be unseen and ignored, but they definiately send reminders once there are 5 applications and it goes into review status. (I sit and host.) They also send emails whenever there is a new application or a new message. So the homeowner got a message when you applied, and if you send another email to check up, they got that. I’ve had conversations with homeowners – who’ve even offered the sit – who don’t see those email or ignore them and never know they have messages. (I usually check THS frequently when I have an active listing, but I almost never check for THS messages in my email.)
Don’t let this live in your head rent free. If you don’t hear back from a homeowner just keep applying to other sits. Yes, it is possible that the dream sit will answer back after you have accepted another slightly less desirable sit. Anything is possible, but go with the offers you get. The important thing is to only apply for sits you want, so the sits you accept never feel like second best.
I have found that with the applications that linger with no response, sometimes when I get the decline – with no email, I write a nice note thanking them for considering me. I don’t do this in a snarky, passive-aggressive way. I approach it similar to writing the introdcutory application and I have gotten some nice responses from those notes, sometimes with explanations. Try to keep in mind that from a host’s perspective the process of choosing and vetting a sitting might be daunting.
Why do you “NEVER use the app/THS messaging once a sit is confirmed as both a homeowner and a sitter”?
Looking back on former sits I accepted, I can see where I had limited communications on THS, but I always used the website on my laptop and didn’t use the THS app. It looks like the HO and I used text messages and emails to communicate. But I’m curious what your experience was/is…???
It “was” an ideal sit until the HO ignored my application. I did withdraw my application and left them a message they probably won’t read. I told the HO I was withdrawing my application because they didn’t have the common courtesy to respond.
I have withdrawn my application as it’s now obvious they have ignored my application.
If I had been 100% certain that my application hadn’t been viewed and was indeed ignored then I wouldn’t have waited so long to withdraw it. I’ve only had 4 sits since I joined in 2017 so lesson learned…