HOs, just so you know, leaving applications on “forever hold” can work both ways. We had an application in for 18 days. There was initially some back and forth communication but then 
.
We have long since accepted a sit for the same time period but our application still took up a space in their 5 applications to review. The HO finally contacted us, asking if we could “arrive early tomorrow.”
The more you know…
Are they new to the platform? 18 days of silence followed by “can you arrive early tomorrow?” is certainly an interesting strategy. Hopefully THS can dispatch another sitter in time.
New hosts seem to think they book a sitter of their choice so probably assumed they had you on call. The marketing messaging makes it sound like there’s a waiting pool of sitters a little like a chocolate selection box. #mixedmessaging
I have had people react to my withdrawing an application after a week or so with “oh no! we wanted you to sit for us but were waiting for the five applications” or whatever.
I just withdrew after getting a “we will be interviewing candidates this week” and then a screening question about how MY timing might work or not for them. FWIW I saw that they had 4 applicants for about a week before I applied, and wondered if they were one of those. They will be fine. I just won’t be their minion.
An apropos post for me, as I’ve had an “on hold” application for (I forgot when I applied and had to go look at my inbox) just over a month. It was for Christmas, so I guess she’s not in a hurry, and I do not like booking sits that far ahead. It being a location of interest, thought I might as well or I might get nothing. Weird thing is, I sat for her in July and got all 5 stars and she seemed quite satisfied. She was relatively new then, and has only had a couple other sitters. Does she think the application counts as an agreement? At least acknowledge it then. Of course I can’t see how many other applications she has.
Another former sit was reposted for overlapping dates and I applied to that one as well; she replied next day and we confirmed. I suppose I should withdraw my application to the first one, but I kinda feel like “If you can’t be bothered to follow up on it, why should I?” 
I wonder if I’ll get a message asking if I’m coming “next week” or “tomorrow” too. 
Well, you never know what you’re gonna get 
#lovealittleforrest 
We’ve had past owners we’ve sat for agree new dates with us and then they create the dates and invite us to apply, but then they forget to hit the confirm button. Fortunately, we’ve known by our convo’s/connection that they’ve just forgot to hit confirm button, so I prompt them after a week, but I’ve always known they wanted-wanted us by what’s been said.
I currently have 4 Applications out there, all in a very desired location over Christmas/New Year, all are Reviewing. My Applications range from one day, 10 days, 34 days and 94 days!!!
The two longest outstanding Applications are with Pet Parents new to the platform. I have had zero response from them, neither to my initial Application nor subsequent follow ups. One has read my messages, the other only the the initial Application. These to me are more of a sport now, as I’m not sure I would confirm a sit with a Pet Parent who is so lax in communication. But who knows.
The other two are seasoned Pet Parents, both having had numerous Sitters in the past. Both have read my Application, but I’ve not yet had any form of response.
It’s going to come down to a first come, first served scenario I think.
But it does make me wonder - why are pet Parents posting sits and not responding? Do they think they have, as it’s been said, Sitters “on hold”, so no need to worry if they take their time and make their plans? Odd.
While the location is quite desired, there have been numerous opportunities over the course of time since I’ve been looking, as well as numerous opportunities still available. So the “waiting pool of Sitters” is not as deep as it may seem, even in a highly desired location.
We USED to be able to see this after applying but no longer. I dislike this new feature a great deal and do NOT see why it was changed.
I would text, email, or call them to discuss the dates—assuming you have addresses or numbers based on previously sitting for them. Clarity for all!
PetSitterBug, you are far more patient than me! 94 days in the queue must be a record. That lack of commitment and communication are a huge red flag for us as sitters. If we have had no response to an application within 5 days, we withdraw. If we have had a response from the hosts and then silence for more than a week, we also politely withdraw our application. Either we are not just what they are looking for or they are not timely with communication. Both of those scenarios are less than ideal for all parties.
No, they are not.
I was curious to see how it played out.
(Ignore, wasn’t allowed to delete)
As I said, it’s more of a sport now, to see if these Pet Parents ever do respond 
I posted a note as ‘new topic’ here a few weeks back, wondering idly if there could be a time limit on reviewing applications, to concentrate the minds of HOs. I know it’s not workable and agree with comments that said basically, “the less TH site gets involved, the better”. But these posts are enlightening.
I hadn’t seen the advertising for HOs - my bad. I can see the ‘pool’ approach now. I’ve also had applications gather dust or tumbleweed for weeks, only to have an ‘oh no!’ when I eventually remembered I’d applied and withdrew.
We are the pool, the day labourers in this scenario - not for all, of course, there are plenty of responsible people. And then there are some ——, yes.
After you click the “withdraw application” button, what happens? I’ve never had to do it before so I don’t know what it looks like. Does it prompt you to leave a message, or do you just click and that’s the end of it?
I’ve been keeping my eye on a sit i would like. It went straight to reviewing, so couldn’t apply. 9 weeks later it’s still reviewing. The HO is a newbie. I wonder if newbies realise that their post is paused after 5 applications, and are still waiting for more applicants.
When you withdraw an application @ABGM, you have the choice of leaving a message or not.
Just to add something to @temba info. I always send the message first but I still get the “would you like to leave a message?” prompt as the system doesn’t distinguish the content of the messages. My instinct is to first communicate and then act so I keep forgetting that the system invites me to communicate before cancelling.
You are prompted with the option to leave a message but you don’t have to. I do leave a brief message. When an application is withdrawn, another spot opens up in the “maximum 5 applicants”.