Need to vent about common topic: H/O not responding!

Sitter Questions, Advice & Chat
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Hey all, I’ve seen posts from sitters about this in the past so I’m sorry for being repetitive, but I’m just so frustrated at the amount of rude homeowners I’ve encountered lately!

I’ve had amazing experiences as a sitter on THS and wouldn’t trade them for anything. I’ve been a sitter for over a year and have 14 stellar reviews, all 5 stars in all catagories, with highly positive comments. That being said, I of course realize that doesn’t always mean a h/o should automatically pick me, as they know better than anyone if I seem like a good fit for thier needs.

However, I’ve had several frustrating encounters lately that I just needed some validation :laughing:!

Over the past several months, I had 3 h/o’s simply never accept or reject my (or anyone else’s) application. I assume their travel plans changed, which I get can happen. A simple message to the 5 applicants shoudn’t be so hard IMO, but whatever.

I then had one sit that was last minute, had a great Zoom interview and h/o agreed that I would be the sitter. We talked times of arrival and everything (sit was to start 2 days from the call),and she was going to forward me her welcome guide shortly after our call. By that evening she still hadn’t accepted my application, so I sent a quick message reminding her that she had to accept me before she could forward the welcome guide. Crickets.

Then, early the next morning (the day before the sit was to start), she messaged me saying something like “So sorry, but I found someone more familiar with the area that I think would be better, but maybe another time…” (I am somewhat local but live in a suburb, and this was a city sit). I was surprised and (not gonna lie) slightly offended, but it actually worked out better for me because the weather was frigid for the length of the sit and I would’ve had to walk her dog at least an hour a day outdoors.

Next, I applied to a sit I had also applied for over a year ago when I had just one review. She had never replied to me on that application, but I noticed she had no prior sits completed, even now (I checked the app to make sure), so I figured okay, she must’ve cancelled her travel plans for that trip. I applied for the new dates and…crickets. After it showed she was reviewing applications for 5 days, I withdrew my application. I then noticed she re-posted the same dates the next day.

Silly me thought okay, she’s new to the platform, maybe she doesn’t understand quite how it works. So I sent her a message (since I had previously applied I was able to do that rather than reapply a third time) saying basically “Hey, I noticed you reposted dates that I had previously applied for, not sure if you thought I wasn’t a good fit, which would be fine, or if you’re just not familiar with the platform, but I’m still available, if you think I’m a possible good candidate just let me know and I’ll re-apply”. She read my message quickly and–you guessed it–crickets! And then, the listing went into review again, only to be quickly re-posted a THIRD time!

At this point it’s been 4 days since her third re-posting, and she has zero applicants. So everyone must be fed up with her. It’s just like–come ON already! I wish we could flag these listings somehow so THS could, I don’t know, “school” these people on manners LOL!

I so badly want to message her something snarky, but I will restrain myself!

Thanks for listening, and if you can relate, I’d love to here your story too! :slight_smile:

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I would say you have dodged bullets on these sits and should be thankful the HOs demonstrated these behaviors before you ended up on a bad sit. I applied twice to a sit that looked fantastic; the first time I withdrew my application after several days, when something else came up. The second time, my application sat for a week, before the HO reached out at 4 am to offer me the sit, and by 6:30 am (same time zone) was angry that I hadn’t replied and rejected my application. Another HO whose listing I had applied to asked if I would be available for adjusted dates. I let her know I could adjust my schedule, but I never heard back from her. Now, if I don’t receive a response in a reasonable amount of time, I withdraw the application. I would be uncomfortable taking on the responsibility of the home and pets, for someone so poor and inconsiderate of communication.

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That’s a good way to look at the situation–like dodging a bullet. And definitely true probably in most cases! Thanks for your feedback, and also, how crazy about your experience with the h/o getting angry that you hadn’t replied after less than 3 hours when they took forever to reach out!

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I understand what you mean and agree.

I’ve come to see it as an important part of MY vetting process. As @mdarden1x I’m very happy that they showed that behavior before I was committed to anything and before I paid money for travel. Some would withdraw and some will not (not freeing up space for them for other applicants) either way - be happy you got away.

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I have had similar experiences, both on THS and with my own clients (I’ve been cat-sitting, evolving into most any animal, and then staying overnight, so house-sitting, for almost 30 years). Some people seem to keep looking for another sitter, a “better” sitter, even after making other arrangements. For my paid sits, the client always seemed to find someone who would do it for free. With THS, who knows why HO change their minds.
Some people have manners, and at least respond to applicants, others seem to think that’s not necessary. I’ve only been a member for a few months, but I’ve had my share of no responses, so I’ve decided for sits in the distant future, if I don’t hear within 2 weeks, I withdraw my application. The HO’s silence says to me that they don’t think I’m a good match, so move on.
I’ve had one HO not extend the invitation to sit, and then got a message that they decided I was not a good match for their dog, because he pulls a lot on walks and thought I wouldn’t be able to handle him. This is after I met with the family, and went on a walk with the dog and HO, though I did NOT have the leash, HO did. (That turned out to be an unexpected gift, because one of my own clients needs me for that time period, so I will earn money.)
I don’t think the folks at THS can do anything to educate HO who don’t respond. We sitters just have to decide how much silence is comfortable for us, and act accordingly. That doesn’t excuse their behavior, or mean it’s not frustrating. It’s very frustrating! But not worth the angst, so I take slow, deep breaths, and move on.
Wishing you a peaceful day.

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I have branched out into paid clients as well, and so far they’ve been great. Thanks for sharing your experience. So strange that you had a HO who thought you wouldn’t be good with the leash when you hadn’t even walked the dog. But things often turn out for the better, my motto is “if it’s not meant to be, accept it”.

You’re right though, it’s not worth getting worked up over in the long run! I appreciate the reminder because it can be very frustrating. :slight_smile:

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I share your motto.

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Yes, I have faced hosts like this as well. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing I can control on THS is myself. If I don’t get a response in a couple days of sending in an application, I withdraw. It doesn’t matter to me if they are new or busy or anything else. I’ve had a couple video calls a couple years ago where they stated “we would be perfect!” Then they give the sit to someone else. I’ve had many situations now where hosts want to select us and after the video call, I’m not interested. Sometimes it’s the hosts’ personalities, sometimes it’s information that should have been on the listing but not included. I’m not interested in getting frustrated over petsitting. My kids frustrate me enough.

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I would say the vast majority of sits I apply for don’t reply.
I don’t take it personally, I figure we aren’t right for the sit.
I’m not saying it isn’t rude, but I accept it as part of the process of sitting.
We sit as a family though so I think our success rate is way lower anyway!

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Yesterday, I applied for a sit, I mentioned that I already had bought the tickets and I would be sightseeing in the country well before the start date. My application was read immediately and I got a reply. She said my profile looked great and asked if I would be able to go to the apartment, meet the pet and get the keys before the sit started. I said I could go the day before the sit if that worked for her. She read my message straight away but did not answer. After a few hours, she declined my application with no further message.

That proves that it didn’t work for her but it wouldn’t have worked for me either because I would not want to partner with someone who regards communication (and probably sitting too) as a one-sided process (her side).

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You and other sitters are quite generous giving 2 weeks, well beyond the 72 hours answering limit to a fellow member stated in the terms. Which one can and sometimes work out great.

For my sits the host has usually reached out within 24-48 hours and often both videocall and confirmation within that time frame. Longer than that a decline or just - crickets.

Have a few 3+ months applications in my inbox at present with no answer whatsoever. Also a 20-day appl. where host reached out two days ago, I answered promptly and then nothing. I can see the host has freed up spots for other applications although implied I might get it. The only reason I don’t withdraw now is to not make room for more applicants. I will most likely not want to partner with a host with that comm-style.

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Hey @Avamyst11 , this is slightly off topic but I’m interested to hear how you have branched off to paid sits. How did you manage that? Thanks Jodie

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After years of housesitting as a single father with my teenage daughter, we’ve learned that things always work out as they should. With over 60 sits and only 5-star reviews, we’ve seen it all: last-minute cancellations, indecisive homeowners, and unexpected opportunities.

Recently, we applied for a long-term sit posted by the daughter of the homeowners. Since it was short notice and we needed to book flights, I followed up after a few days. She responded kindly, saying she really liked us, but her parents had chosen someone else. I thanked her for the update and let her know we’d be happy to be considered for future sits.

That same day, we secured a different sit, a shorter one, just five days long. Then, the unexpected happened: the daughter from the first sit contacted me again. Her parents had changed their minds and now wanted us! But we had already given our word elsewhere, and we never cancel once we agree. She understood and, surprisingly, told us they would simply wait for us to finish the short sit before coming to theirs.

Fast forward, and here we are—four months (they extended already twice) into an incredible sit at a stunning $8 million mansion by the sea, with wonderful homeowners and pets. Everything worked out better than we could have imagined.

The lesson? Never stress over a rejected/not responding application. In our experience, the right opportunities always find their way to you.

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Interesting that you bring this up. I’ve been sitting nearly full time for about 7 years, and have noticed in the last couple of months that potential HOs are taking longer to respond to messages/applications (and sometimes not at all) than previously.

Obviously the plural of anecdote is not data, but it does seem to be noticeable.

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I absolutely love your attitude, and I do try to have the same one, about everything working the way it should. Your current sit sounds incredible! :slight_smile:

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@tokyokid Love it! Just going with the flow… and magic happens! :purple_heart:

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I did a couple of sits in an apartment building where so many people had dogs. While walking the dogs I was sitting for I’d strike up conversations with the other pet owners, and so many of them expressed interest in hiring a sitter for their own pets when they travel. I am not nomadic, and do housesits to experience new places and to get retreats from my home life, so I wouldn’t want to do the same apartment building for free over and over, but realized I’d do it for pay.

That’s how it started, and when you have a good reputation word of mouth is amazing!

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