Hi Everyone,
I’m fairly new to this site, we have had one sit and it was brilliant, we had a fantastic couple and everything was perfect. We had about 15 applications for that sit back in Feb. Now though I’ve posted again and have only had 2 applications. I keep getting emails from THS saying a sitter has saved my listing, about 37 now. Is this true though, because when I look at their profile and calendar they clearly can’t make the dates, or although the dates are all clear they are a head teacher or similar where it is clear they can’t get the time off. One other quick question, why is the calendar sometimes clear with dates and sometimes shaded green with dates? I don’t want to keep bothering sitters with invites if they don’t want them. All answers appreciated.
Typically, a sitter will save or favorite your sit when they like your listing, but are unable to make the dates. This is a good place to start for other sits, but unlikely to help with the current one. Also, the sitter will get a notification whenever you list another sit.
Hello @Claire1963, saving a sit as a favorite is a common practice when sitters are interested in a sit but are either committed to another one or unavailable on those dates. This way, sitters get a notification the next time the homeowner posts a sit and can quickly get in touch.
As Gill has said most sitters ‘save’ listings they like the look of (to receive future notifications about them) but can’t make the dates posted, so can’t apply. Thus, it’s unlikely you’ll have success inviting sitters.
The THS calendar is almost impossible for sitters to use but once you are accepted for a sit THS automatically blocks out those dates on a sitter’s calendar. I’m not sure what colour it is but I think that’s what you’re referring to.
We save places that are in “our” perfect location/s with pets we’d love to care for. That is what a lot of sitters do.
Our dates just haven’t matched up right with whoever we have saved, but because we know a pet is for life, not just for springtime, eventually our dates may match up, because a lot of people that join THS, stay with the site for years.
We (like a lot of sitters) don’t update our calendar, so it only shows the dates that THS self-populates it with. Because it has many flaws, for example, it looks like we are busy when we are free, and looks different on a mobile to a laptop etc etc etc.
If you have two applications, please proceed in a timely manner so you don’t lose a good match.
Because you only need one good match. Loads of applications will only end up in one sitter.
Sitters are encouraged to apply for multiple sits, which makes sense, as when there are for instance 5 applicants for a sit the successrate is only 20 % for getting the sit.
As you had 15 applicants the last time, it seems you must have declined quite a lot of applicants. Why is that? Maybe some explanation could be found there. Were you being picky or not knowing what you were looking for? Did the sitters withdraw, for instance because it took a while for you to proceed or because new info. came up? Or maybe your listing could be improved to attract the right sitters? Just some input, hope it helps.
Hi @Claire1963. Others have answered your first question so in relation to the calendar, green means available and white is unavailable - according to THS as they only block out with a line through dates that are confirmed THS sits. However, not all sitters use the calendar as it’s not a simple process; some new sitters may be unaware they can use the calendar; many sitters only do the odd sit during the year; just because a sitter is available doesn’t mean your listing is appealing to them e.g. it might not be in the location they are looking for; too short/too long; number of pets and breed etc. How far in advance have you advertised for this set of dates as that’s important as many of us are booked well in advance?
As @Garfield mentions, are either of your applicants suitable and worth having a video chat with?
I typically save listings so that I can apply in the future. Most of my travel plans and sits are booked out 3-6 months in advance and therefore not available when I see a new listing.
Ah thank you all so much, this is much clearer now and makes sense.
Hi @temba, I would love to have a video chat with either of the two applications I’ve had but they both have disappeared on me. Both of them showed a lot of interest at first, I answered all questions very truthfully and then I never heard from them again. The Second Lady from Australia asked to do a video chat, I said yes and gave her our number and then …nothing. I can only assume both of them found something better. I do wish however they would just say, ‘sorry but my plans have changed’, which is far enough.
The sitters we had back in April were fantastic and I asked them if there was anything we could do to make things better/easier/more comfortable for future sitters and they said there was nothing, this was one of the nicest sits they’ve had and they have been doing it for years.
Thank you all again for your input, I am finding this forum informative.
That’s very disappointing @Claire1963 that you have had communication with both sitters, including the Australian lady (not me!) who asked for a video chat, and neither have been back in touch with you. How long ago was this and could the time zone difference be a factor? When applying for UK sits, I always include my mobile number for WhatsApp plus mention the exact time difference so that we can work out a suitable time to have the video chat.
Have you asked your April sitters whether they would be interested in returning, or are they already confirmed on another sit?
You sound like a lovely host 
Being added to someone’s favourites can be a great opening to start a conversation—which can be wise, since cancellations and changes happen often on both sides.
Wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to people who favourite you.
Outside of periods where you can see confirmed plans through THS, I wouldn’t put too much weight on the availability shown in their calendars—most people rarely keep them updated. Good luck