Yep, pet sits in Paris are gone in seconds. I applied for one and literally wrote…interested, Ill be in Paris during that time and sent it off …then realized after I sent it, I could go back in and actually message her more from my inbox/email on TH. So, I did, told her I threw that in really quick as they go so fast, etc and THEN explained why I was interested in the sit, etc. Others must have that figured out as well perhaps? But now I know in the future too, if there is one I’m really interested, I may just send a quick note to get my application in and then go back in to message them again with more detail.
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Hello and thank you to all who sent me their thoughts. There might be many reasons to send a quick application. But thats not all. What I really dislike is if someone applies and than later reads the listing, finds out it’s not the right for him or her and does not withdraw. Or somebody applies well knowing that he or she is not able to come the whole time. In both cases they blocked the entry for other sitters.
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@tiniblitz Those are both valid points.
What I do- if I’m sending a quick first message- is to act as as quickly as possible- i.e doing all necessary research and then applying properly or withdrawing. If I withdraw I explain why. I would never wish to block a space- any longer than necessary- if I discover later the sit is not for me. However if I was the 5th applicant, which takes the listing into ‘reviewing’ and I then withdraw, your listing will not automatically open up again with that extra space. You have to manually unpause it. Sitters have no control of that aspect. So, unfortunately, there are inconveniences on both sides!
I would not apply for your sit at all if I cannot do all the dates. Usually that would not be possible anyway because if I have overlapping dates I cannot even apply.
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My notifications stopped 3 weeks ago and now I have to go on the app to check new posts. I wonder if others have this issue?
I was accepted for a high value sit at one point and in the zoom call I asked what was it about my application that drew their attention. They said it was because I actually applied—didn’t hold a space with “HI”, “I’m interested” “Pick me” or anything that non-descriptive. It irritated them when people did that. I’m sure I lose some good sits, but if I want the sit, I respond with a proper application. I was caught off guard by their answer because I didn’t even know people did that.
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I also hit the apply button and prepare a fully detailed application. I know exactly where I want to sit, and how to get there. It’s simple to pop in and out of the description, while composing my application. I’m a big fan of completing the entire process in a timely manner. Love it when pet owners see our application and responds with a positive ‘we want you’ note, and let’s talk very soon. Swift process for all concerned!
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I think the difference might be people between people who are nomads and those who aren’t. I’m a home owner so I have flexibility in terms of dates, etc. Maybe people who are trying to piece together an entire itinerary take the short route. As a homeowner I probably wouldn’t respond to someone that just said “hi” or “pick me”.
I’ve always just opened the apply window and taken as long as needed to complete my application — did that this morning with a sit that already had four applicants and I got through, no problem.
It doesn’t take long. I have a standard message prewritten (saved to a keyboard shortcut combination of three characters on my mobile devices), which I then customize to the sit’s specifics. That includes why I want to do that particular sit.
If I want to check airfare costs, it takes about 30 seconds for me to type the dates and airports into Google, which will return prices immediately. I just need the ballpark prices to tell whether the costs are reasonable to me.
I can quickly apply that way without needlessly creating placeholder applications.
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Hi there, I have been looking for sits in Sydney (for March/April) for a few months now. I check multiple times during the day and evening. I know it is a popular destination. Often though, in my experience, the sits are already ‘reviewing’ before I even see them advertised, meaning they are applied for immediately. Is there a way to combat this? I am finding it so frustrating as we have a limited date range and no flexibility due to work, and we would love to pet sit again. I joined Aussie Housesitters as well but having even less luck there. Do I need to resort to a bot? No idea how to do that! Any advice most welcome.
I don’t know how to do that either. I might be able to figure out some tricks but I don’t think we are allowed to discuss hacking the THS system here.
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I wouldn’t trust it either if you’re out and it will take a while to complete the process. I have done it using my phone, my iPad and the laptop. It seems to work better with the laptop but for double protection I check the listing info on the IPad while I write my application on the computer. Using only the phone or IPad I have lost some applications, they just disappear and go back to previous page showing listings.
So now if I am out when I see a listing that I am interested in, I just explain the situation and say that I will send a proper application as soon as I have access to my computer. Nobody has declined my pre-application so far.
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I keep a few copy and paste applications available. I always do a quick customization on them.
I don’t think there is a cap on how many sits you can have in your favorites. If there is someplace you want to visit go through the listings, including the ones not currently in need of a sitter and choose your favorites. That way when a sit comes up in the area you are notified first. It also helps in getting invitations from HO’s. Hope this helps.
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I’m surprised you’re having less luck with aussiehousesitters. I got virtually all my sits through them when I was there post pandemic. However, as you say, Sydney is popular so sits will be grabbed asap and the time difference doesn’t help. Do you have to sit in Sydney? I got one sit in Sydney the rest were near Brisbane and Western Australia.
You might also like to check on Facebook Housesitting groups a Sydney ex pat FB group if there is one. I did get 2 sits via FB in Western Australia which worked out well, but it’s not the best method. However, might be worth you trying. Good luck!
I’m surprised you’re having less luck with aussiehousesitters. I got virtually all my sits through them when I was there post pandemic. However, as you say, Sydney is popular so sits will be grabbed asap and the time difference doesn’t help. Do you have to sit in Sydney? I got one sit in Sydney the rest were near Brisbane and Western Australia.
Have you tried Facebook Housesitting groups also? I got 2 that way although wouldn’t recommend it, they did work out well though. Also try ex pat Facebook groups for Sydney if there are any and post your request.
Presumably you’ve done a saved search for your dates because, if so, you shouldn’t have to keep checking as should be alerted as soon as a listing is posted.
Good luck!
Sorry about repetition, there was a problem with editing on this system……
I have a prepared template that I especially customise for the sit. I add personal details always, so it doesn’t seem superficial and address the content of their listing always. It takes me 2 minutes flat.