..So, about 4.3%
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So that’s ..1.33 %
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We prefer video calls and that has been the norm for us . We joined after the pandemic so video calls were already part of our everyday life .
A large percentage of our sits are repeats and we don’t do another video call for a repeat sit … so statistically …
We could say 50 % of our sits had a video call - if you just count first time we confirmed a sit for the host . Or 17.7% if you count the number of VCs compared to sits overall . Both figures are accurate but meaningless without the context.
We also have withdrawn our application after a video call which was also a successful outcome for us as a deal breaker came to light during the call - something that wasn’t in the listing .
Regardless of the stats - video calls are our personal preference with a phone call our 2nd choice .
If we learn that a host is interviewing multiple sitters, we choose to withdraw our application. We prefer not to compete with other sitters through video calls, as that feels more like a job interview than a two-way, mutual conversation with a host.
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I value video calls, but for my sits, they’ve been useful more as confirmation of what’s been established by listings, applications and profiles. That’s why it’s a waste of time to video chat with hosts who do multiples, because they can’t differentiate among candidates otherwise.
Likewise, when I apply for multiple sits, I don’t continue to do video calls if I’ve matched with a host/listing for a specific set of dates. That happened for instance when I had two video calls set for the same date for the same city — the host for the morning video call offered me the sit during our call, because we felt a mutual match, so I let the other host of another sit know and we canceled our afternoon video call.
Similarly, when I do hiring in my professional life, I don’t waste other candidates’ time if I’ve already found a good match. I have judgment to differentiate among candidates and am decisive.
There might be a rare instance when applicants are neck and neck, but if someone regularly needs to do multiple video chats, it’s because they can’t discern differences or they enjoy video chats for personal engagement or amusement, which is a waste of the other person’s/people’s time.
And I have done enough mutually successful sits with great hosts to know that there are decisive ones. For example, I’m on a repeat sit now with hosts I originally met on THS. They were first-timers with THS when we met and we quickly matched. Since then, we’ve had multiple sits, including this one. Lovely, easy cats. Large, upscale home near loads of amenities in San Francisco. Amazing hosts who have consistently shown hospitality above and beyond. They have multiple homes and travel a lot. I will continue sitting for them, even without THS.
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I would add two more options:
- They don’t have suitable candidates and want to talk to more than one to see if one might be worth taking the risk.
- They are difficult to please: nobody is good enough to take care of their pets and home.
When I am told at the end of the video chat that they have other chats programmed and are vague about when they will get back, I now tell them I am also considering other options and, if they don’t communicate shortly enough, I withdraw my application. I don’t really mind “competing” with others and I do understand the hosts want to go with the best sitter for them but if somebody needs a lot of time and to decide if I am a suitable candidate, then maybe it means I am not a suitable candidate and I would not want to be in anyone’s home, be it a host in THS or anyone else, who doesn’t fully trust me.
For me, no sit is worth feeling uncomfortable.
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I have video calls with almost all of my sits (over 150), mostly for me - I like to see that I vibe with the owners, and can get a better idea of how the house looks and often meet the pets too.
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The problem I have had when I’ve waited in order to accomodate someone who put me off, is that they’ve continued to put me off, and I ended up losing other sitters who would have been fine. Sometimes sitters do strategize by putting off chats or decisions with one hosts while they wait to hear from another host. This is why when several interested-sitters are suitable, I will look for the person who seems as genuinely eager to confirm the sit as I am.
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“I think people who get accepted via just texting (or does not get accepted this way) are the most satisfied over all - no time wasted etc.”
You have no idea whether or not this is true. I haven’t found video calls to be a waste of time, quite the contrary. If I were a host and a sitter declined a video call I wouldn’t proceed any further, I consider it be a soft form of due diligence and essential to ensure both parties feel comfortable. If I applied for a sit and a host said no to a video call I would withdraw my application. I haven’t yet had to do this and had great experiences on my sits.
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I just had a potential HO ask to schedule a video call 9-10 days from now “because of the snow” and let me know she would be “interviewing all candidates” at that time. I said I had applied for several other sits for that time period (mid to late-Feb) and would be unlikely to wait. She declined me, and sent a note that it wouldn’t be a fit then, and this is how she prefers to do it. Fine with me. I’m glad I said my piece.
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I figure that anyone — whether host or sitter — can do as they prefer. The only thing is, no one else is obligated to go at their pace or with their approach. The best thing is, as @Katie did, to be straightforward about it and to not leave anyone else in limbo.
Some folks can be self-serving and drag things out, juggle to optimize for their best outcome, etc. Meanwhile, other folks can look for signs to avoid them. Like sitters and hosts (as @Marion described) can unwittingly end up being used as backups or fallbacks, which can ripple through their plans or create unnecessary limbo or inconveniences or expenses for them. No one is entitled to do that to others.
And tangentially, when I see someone exaggerating or dramatizing, as with language such as “knife under my throat” or “blackmail,” that’s a red flag of a host to avoid.
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You’re absolute right - I am happy to learn more about it as soon as the data is out 
Judging by the moderator not givign thumbs up to me, but doing it to all messages around mine, I am not holding my breath.
95 % of my hosts suggest a video call. I get nothing out of them, but happy to amuse the future host. Part of the “job” as they say. Just not something I would choose to use my time for.
I am simply doing a guess about text-accepters based on my experience and logic - but as I cover in my message, even if I was right, it would not directly mean that the reasoning I use is solid.
Another reason for why (if!) direct text agree´ers are the happiest is for example that when you are the odd one, and find another odd one, you are more likely to be a match. Or maybe not.
The data aint gonna come and save me.
The video chat is mainly for the host to confirm that they’re comfortable with a person they’re entrusting with their most important assets and possessions and to be sure the sitter knows the level and scope of their responsibilities and is up for the task. And to sniff out any red flags by observing responses and body language to questions.
As we have the luxury of being able to accept only multiple 5 star sitters with extensive experience, we view the video call as not much more than a confirmation of what we already expect, however due to a negative experience with one highly rated sitter we make sure they know what they’re in for.
Now you see I don’t feel that way at all, indeed totally the opposite. I view any time we do a video call as for the benefit of the sitter. It doesn’t happen often as mainly our sitter arrangements have been via ths and whatsapp. When there’s been a video call it’s been at the request of the sitter and well into the ‘about to agree the sit process’. I walk them round the house and have a chat so they can take their final decision. I know I’m entrusting my home and pets to them but they are the people staying here and need to feel that they will be comfortable.
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- I’ve only confirmed 7 sitters so far, and each time the video chat was at my request, so I guess I was under the impression it wasn’t that big a deal for sitters but I can see why they might prefer it. We do the same, as far as doing a wqlk through and talking about various aspects of the home, property, pet care and surrounding areas, they certainly appreciate it especially the live view of the ocean and distant mountains from the front patio.
I think video chats are just as useful for HOs as they are for sitters. It’s important for both to discuss the details of the sit and make sure they are comfortable with them and willing to go ahead and confirm.
Whether a video chat is important or not depends on how individual members feel about different channels of communication. This is a two sided agreement and both parties need to feel comfortable before committing to it.
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Absolutely agree with you there. But I think because the thread title is ‘Interviewing muliple candidates’ is why it has an apparent tilt towards the HO point of view.
I disagree with your statement that is mainly for the host. As a sitter i want to ensure that I understand what the host expects and these expectations aren’t unreasonable. or something that I wouldn’t be comfortable with. These might not always be revealed in the listing. This hasn’t happened to date, but if it were to I’d be disappointed with myself for not spotting something that came to the fore on a sit.
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On one or two occasions I’ve withdrawn my application after a video interview - once because I didn’t care for the tone of the HO, who seemed to view me as hired help or an underling. Not for me. Another time I saw that the dog sounded like a non-stop barker, which, again, isn’t my bag.
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for us too it confirms we are directly on water with amazing views, the sitters who arrive tomorrow have warned that they intend changing the locks so I can’t say I haven’t been warned!
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Yup and I personally don’t like the ‘interviewing candidates’ vibe. It’s a mutual exchange and the sitter is equally interviewing me to see if they feel they would like to stay in my house…..
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