I know this subject has been discussed before, but many sitters (including myself) frequently have short gaps between confirmed sits and come across great listings that are almost perfect — except for a 1-2 day date mismatch. We can’t contact those owners because the dates conflict with our existing bookings. Availability often being the main barrier.
Would it be helpful to have a feature such as an automated reminder for homeowners whose listings aren’t receiving applications? Something like Airbnb’s flexibility prompts: “Your sit has had low views/applications. Making your dates more flexible could significantly increase interest.”
If homeowners choose “flexible dates” is their a current feature that allows sitters to contact them even if they are booked for a day or two in conflict with the sit of interest?
Apologies if this has been solved as I don’t know what it is like on the homeowners end. But it seems there could be a lot more “matches” if more features were implemented in this direction. Happy sitting everyone!
The origin of being unable to apply to listings with conflicting dates was apparently reports of sitters abandoning pets and going off to start other sits. I’m sure this wasn’t super common place but obviously such a situation can lead to a lot of bad outcomes that I’m sure the site would try to avoid.
So I think it’s unlikely that they would introduce any feature that would allow single sitters to contact hosts whose officially listed dates conflict with their current bookings. While I can’t imagine it would happen a lot, it would be all too easy for sitters to book overlapping sits when they aren’t supposed to be. doing so.
But as for having some sort of notation in the listing that the dates are flexible, that could be helpful. Many years ago they had something like that actually.
Far more sits would be filled, if sitters were able to contact home owners where clashing dates. I have managed a couple like this, where home owners have contacted me. When I have stated I would be unable to do the first or last day or two, the owners have been more than happy to confirm the sit with me. They have then arranged with family, friends or neighbours to step in and cover the short period I have been unable to do. I however would never have been able to initiate and contact top enquire if any flexibility, as prevented due to on another sit. I have also had owners contact me to enquire when I may be available, as need a few days away but can fir it in for when most convenient for me.
At the moment a home owner can contact a sitter, if overlapping dates but not the other way around.
@Sarah88 if you are sitting with a partner then you can get Dual Sitter which allows you to apply for sits which overlap by a couple of days. If you sit solo that option is not available to you. Its highly unlikely THS would ever Re introduce open applying- for anything and everything. It was great- we could do overlaps and also contact hosts (for future sits) even when when booked elsewhere. Its all much more restrictive now, sadly..
Exactly this. I was thinking about it when I was browsing Airbnb and the feature showcased properties with slightly different dates than my exact search. It seems a pity seeing so many “low application” sits going unfilled over a single evening or two when many of us would happily take them if they were flexible.
That’s makes sense. I do think it would be a great feature if homeowners could opt in on a flexible dates feature, allowing sitters to contact them. On a sit by sit basis. Something to that effect.