Ages ago I suggested that THS should use that system, docking points the longer people took to reply. Of course I was wasting my breath! It is a good system though
I like the system used by Airbnb for messaging, where the average reply time is explicitly stated.
So it seems it must just be the HOâs being rude. Today I got a response to a cancellation message I sent 14 days ago for one of my sit applications, saying sorry Iâve been busy at work and travelling. The listing is still reviewing. 
The original app was sent long before that.
This just isnât good enough for anyone that does this!
Must be that âquality improvement & better customer experienceâ from those new fees !
I think people are getting more rude everywhere, but thatâs a whole other rant.
My first thought on reading the OP was, is it possible theyâve joined other housesitting platforms as well * coughbookingfees * and have found their sitters there, and are just not bothering with their THS listing or notifications? Guess Iâm not the only one that had that thought.
I applied for a sit a couple of weeks ago and was quite promptly declined with no message, a bit miffed but oh well. They are still âreviewingâ and the dates are getting closer so yeah another one with âwhatâs going on?â.
So very rude not sending a message, I hate that! Sometimes, and especially if theyâre new homeowners, I will send a message, if possible, to say that itâs courteous to send a private message when declining a sitter. That usually gets them to reply!
@Smiley not new, maybe I reminded them of their mother, but not in a good wayâ
oh well their loss 
I also have a sit that I applied to and we went back and forth. They wanted to chat the past weekend, it is Thursday now. My message on Sunday, do you still want to chat this weekend, went unread, they have low applications. I was wondering if they are looking at increases in air fares and rethinking their holiday.
Who would know anymore @Huronbase. I just checked three applications back, all still reviewing and messages unread. Time is drawing near so Iâve moved on and wonât wait again, 48hrs and Iâm out
This behaviour by hosts not reading or responding is going to cost THS in an increase in unfulfilled and unsatisfactory sits. Itâs dumb that they donât bother with a reminder/nudge as itâs going to boost fulfillment and satisfaction. We know itâs all about profit but they are really missing a trick here.
I agree @anon52083843. A nudge could be all that is needed to kick things into gear if the HO happens to forget or is too busy to respond. I honestly donât think they realise things from a sitterâs side, the need for urgency basically. Not urgent but geez, not weeks with nothing. Iâve just given another one a nudge, trying to help them understand why waiting and waiting doesnât work. Both messages still unread so weâll see.
This hasnât happened to us often on THS, but when it does, Iâm always taken aback by this attitude from hosts.
As a sitter who also takes on paid local sits, Iâve found that home owners on paid platforms understand the importance of booking quicklyâotherwise, they risk loosing those dates.
@Silversitters it has never, or very rarely, happened to me either on THS which is why Iâm so stunned this time. In the past everything has been very quick and well organized. Definitely understand about being a paid sitter, I guess itâs like making a Drs appointment - if you donât grab that appointment asap, somebody else will.
Anyhoooo, itâs all part and parcel of sitting I suppose so Iâll just mosey on along and hope things improve. If itâs meant to be it will be 
So! I just applied for a new sit 30 minutes ago. Reply received within the hour and Whatsapp organised to chat and confirm. Iâve just been unlucky it seems and learned a valuable lesson. Not everything will turn out as you want it to.
Happy to close this topic @Jenny as I think everything has been said now. Thank you to everyone who responded, sometimes we just need to talk things through to get our perspectives back into order. 
No worries @ziggy - Iâll go ahead and close it for you!