I didn’t really know how to title this …
I applied for a house sit, one with a dog who liked to walk a lot, it was my type of sit and in the right locaton. I was number three to apply, somone else applied after me. I wrote a nice chatty personal message. My message was read the day after, no reply, after four days of no acknowledgement of my application, I withdrew it.
I noticed it then went down to two applicants, then yesterday one, so maybe others withdrew also. Now it has been relisted.
I found it strange, as they have typed up a really good profile full of information and have rave reviews, they looked like they would be good communicaters.
I am now rambling …
I just find it incredibly strange that is you want a sitter you don’t reply to them, even if to say ‘thanks we will get back to you when we have considered applicants’.
Yeah, this has happened to us a few times too - we’ve applied, had no response or been declined straight away with no response, and then seen the same listing relisted almost daily with a different amount of applicants every day. Sometimes I see the same listings pop up on my saved searches over and over again with a notification every time 
Who knows 
I think the number of applicants going down could be combination of declinations and withdrawals. If you are really interested in the sit, which probably won’t be the case it you withdrew, and/or really curious, you could apply again. I know it’s very annoying for the owners to get applications from people who have already been declined but your case is different.
When I apply, I rarely ever think about how long it’s taking a host to reply. If there’s another sit that comes up before I hear from them, I’ll just withdraw my application if I want to move on.
Some people are just busy with their lives. Some people who post their listings may not expect to have so many applications so quickly. Some people may know they will get so many applications, they can wait and take their time to review each one. Some people are looking for something specific and are waiting until they find it. Who knows. I don’t have any requirements of them to write me before or after. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, I don’t give it any more thought.
Hi Louise, this is a real pain! I apply to as many sits as are suitable for my dates, then choose from all the offers. If you really want to travel/ go on holiday, you can’t just wait for one HO to get back to you. There are often several in the same area for the same dates that I’m looking for, so I apply to all of them. This means you have a higher chance of getting accommodation for the dates you want, and you’re not left hanging for your holiday.
Hi @STH ,
It was a sit only an hour or so away, I only do dog sits to hang out with the dog and walk in other areas to my own.
I think its the lack of communication thing that gets me. I am ultra polite and communicate really well online (well I hope I do) I suppose I just expect others to be the same 
Thanks for your reply, appreciated.
That is what I assume when I don’t hear from them, there is no need for them to write that.
I am happy when other star-studded applicants withdraw because they don’t want to be kept waiting. That gives second-rate sitters like me a chance of getting a nice sit 
Hi @Newpetlover
I won’t apply again. The area looked wonderful to me to walk in with a dog, I used to live pretty near by, so I know its a good walking area. I think its just the no response thing which gets to me.
Hi @Nagy26
The ‘who knows’ sums it up really 
Hi there @anon10466095
Your words are wise, I need to take your comments on board, especially your last sentence 
People are strange, all of us are strange to someone, including you !
The strange thing is to expect other people to act and think exactly like you do. They don’t.
Very true.
Hi @Newt
Me strange…never!
Yes, I take your point.
“Simple it’s not, I am afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.” – Dr. Seuss
Hi @Louise7
I started a thread on some HO’s under the 5 applicants rule are declining every 5 applicants until no more applicants and as I found out circling back round to the sitters they want after declining them. I declined the reach out from the HO as I felt like a consolation prize.
I’m pretty sure you aren’t second rate 
This response was forever ago but the notification was only just sent to me!
That’s a lovely way to use THS. I wonder if you’ve also considered walking dogs for elderly or disabled people who may not be able to walk them as much as they used to/ would like to?
Regarding communication, it’s just part of our digital culture. Immersed in digital anthropology as part of my career since 2001, communication now has less empathy, and combined with busy lifestyles, many people don’t actively think about others, but it’s not personal.
If I see that my message has been read but not replied to I also withdraw. In the majority of cases I get an immediate response and same day phone call, which means the hosts are proactive and response, and this also bodes well for a successful sit.
Personally, and I do emphasis this is my personal opinion, withdrawing a well written and thoughtful application that has taken forever and a day to write just because there is no immediate response comes over a little entitled. As others have pointed out, hosts may be busy doing other things and answering applicants aren’t high on their agenda. I know it can be very frustrating and the temptation to give them a nudge gets stronger and stronger with each passing day but hold fire. Who knows what’s happening in their lives and if they miss out on a great sitter because they were too slow they will definitely be quicker next time.
There are many reasons I would withdraw an application but the host delay isn’t one of them.
But obviously they took the time to post dates to get a sitter. If you post an ad - don’t one anticipate that one will get answers to the ad? Why post at a time when one doesn’t have the time to follow up on answers? If I put my car up for sale, but it isn’t high on my agenda to answer potential buyers, chances are the car will not be sold.
I withdraw because a host that doesn’t reply in a timely manner is not a good match for me. It is part of my vetting to find a good match. If it is seen as «entitled» to expect good communication, then that is another thing that will show that it isn’t a good match. I’ve had a sit with a host that didn’t communicate well. I managed, but I will not repeat it. Hosts that answer timely are much more likely to confirm a sit in my experience, so it has been a good indicator for my applications.
I recently reported such a listing that I applied on to THS support. My application was “read” immediately and no reply and the homeowner kept listing dates and “reviewing” applications, then deleting dates. One of the listed dates is still in the “reviewing” stage going on weeks now. THS said they would “nudge” the homeowner who was new on the site. I moved on quite quickly but seeing more of these type of sits lately.