Baffling that THS has stuck with the 5-and-done applicants rule.
As others have written, many new HO members aren’t entirely aware that they only recieve 5 applicants because after the first 5 respond, no more can apply.
Thinking there are only 5 options a HO may pick someone not entirely suited to the sit.
Of course, once newbies “get” the new rule, they can Decline an unsuitable applicant, opening up one more slot.
But that’s laboriously Declining, checking - rinse & repeat. And that also requires the HO to keep track of “declined” applicants who they might want to cicle back to.
Recently we were Declined for a Sit. Several days later? Sent a note offering the Sit!
Meanwhile we’d made other plans. Ultimately it worked out (we were able to cancel our alternative plans.) But the system almost made that match-up impossible.
Understandably THS wants to ensure that the HO with perhaps less enticing sits also get applicants. However, 5 is draconian & unfair to both HO and Sitters alike
Many discussions in this Forum have suggested good alternatives:
Limit is set a bit higher (IMHO a dozen is both manageable and fair to all!)
HO set their own limit
HO can set a screening list so Sitters who don’t fit can’t apply to a Sit.
We remember starting out as HOs, feeling overwhelmed the first time we posted: within 24 hours had 25 applicants. So we understand the need for some kind of limit.
However, it was always possible to “pause” applicantions while we sorted through the ones we’d received.
In our experienc as HOs (albeit via another platform) we found that the applicants list was easily whittled down.
Some asked for payment (despite that being against the rules) or to have their expenses covered to reach our home (we lived in an area with excellent transportation & offered our vehicle so - ?). Some wanted to bring along their own pet. Some were a family. Some were a single person.
None of those Sitters were appropriate for our big house, big dog,
Even on our very first time as HO looking for sitters, after pausing applications at two dozen we easily whittled down the list to 8. Reading those applications more carefully identified three great fits who we interviewed, ultimately chosing two for different dates.
That all said, 100% understand the logic of limiting applications.
Just know from conversations with HO and Sitters in the system that the effect has been frustrating for too many members.
It is unfortunate if some haven’t read the terms. It is more unfortunate that some haven’t read the terms of aggressive pets, third parties or other things that make sits really hard, and sometimes unlivable.
It is not hard to answer people that apply for an ad one chose to publish.
I like the max 5 rule. I like that hosts would have to make decisions. I like that the odds of good sits are evened out so that sitters with five or ten reviews also can get an attractive sit from time to time, and not be competed out always by sitters with hundred reviews. I like that I can read the listing from the application-mode. But I like the most that the one that publish an ad also must read the applications and respond. Even if it is a «decline».
Garfield - I agree that there are positives to a limit: just think 5 is too few.
As I wrote above, a dozen would be a happy medium.
As a HO I could quickly ID the applicants who were a good fit. It was usually about 1 in 3. Well, when you’re looking at only 5 applicants, that means maybe one, maybe two. Not much of a choice.
The other negative: TOO many sitters are now applying before they’ve really read the post, just to get a foot in the door. And then don’t go back to withdraw even when they realize it’s not right for them. That includes Sitters who are using Bots to do auto-applications, an issue that’s come up several times in the last year.
Meanwhile serious applicants are blocked.
Lastly, for those of us who love sits while travelling abroad, the time zone differences often mean we can’t see good-fit sits abroad in time to apply.
I hear what you’re saying, I just believe from personal experience on both sides of the equation that 5 is not appropriate.
I happen to be a sitter who looks for sits off the beaten path in the Northeastern United States and eastern Canada, preferably quiet, rural areas or small towns that I can drive to within a day. And I seek out cat vs dog sits. This puts me in the fortunate position of not competing for sits very often! But seeing all the frustrations both HOs and sitters have with this 5-limit measure, I agree that maybe 10-12 applications at a time would be a compromise. I especially feel for those wanting sits abroad but miss the window to apply due to time differences. I hope THS will wise up because with so much unhappiness over this policy they’re bound to lose quite a few members.