If there’s a cooling off period, it would have to extend to all sitters and hosts out of fairness. And then you’ve just introduced a bunch of complexity into the system and gummed things up more. How would you plan your trip, knowing that everyone else, including your hosts, had a cooling window? What if they find a better sitter than you meanwhile?
No. Cooling off period is a hopeless idea. You’re either in or you’re out. If you don’t want to plan in advance then don’t apply for far out sits. Messing people about because you’ve “Changed your mind” or “got a better offer” is not on. Yes there are exceptions @josaunders but they are not about your travel 
planning or lack of.
1 Like
How do you withdraw an application please?
Sorry to intrude, hope this helps.
Many thanks x
1 Like
Honestly, most of the hosts reply very slowly. Based on my experience, a reply in a few days is quick, a reply in a few weeks is normal. Some of them don’t even bother to reply at all. So, I reach out to different hosts at the same time, even if the times are overlapping. I only accept the offer that comes up first. So, I never worry about whether they reply or not.
Also, I’ve noticed that when we receive a new message, there is no clear indication, like a red notification badge. Currently, the only reminders are via email, and if hosts don’t regularly check their email, they might miss new messages. I don’t blame them for this. Perhaps the THS team could update the app to make new messages more noticeable.
2 Likes
I agree with you @CatloverForever it would be very helpful to get an app notification when a new message comes in. Usually I only come across a new message by chance if happen to open the app and check my inbox OR if I see a notification of a message in my email. But I don’t get ‘pings’ (like with Whatsapp) when I receive an email OR when there is anything new in my THS inbox. I also receive the email notification way before the message shows in my THS inbox. I have to swipe down to refresh my inbox to make it appear. The App definitely needs tweaking.
1 Like
I get an email that I have received a new message, and in the app the little bell is red. It’s very clear and fast. In 3+ yrs I have had no problem receiving messages. I wonder if people just need to tweak their personal notification settings, either on THS or on their devices?
It would be good if THS had a thing where members could test their sittings.
With @Shella_in_the_Forum as HO we organized a grassroots test of the notification system:
Things did not always works as expected…