I wish someone at THS would tell them that this isn’t a strategy or tone that works for a mutual exchange and that they’ve missed the whole point of the platform! Were they Brits by any chance? 
#wontholdmybreaththo
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Based in the UK but not of British nationality. I did wonder whether something had got lost in translation, but the host claims - in the listing - to be fluent in English.
I’m glad they don’t, since I’d rather recognise the tone and avoid the sit!
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Just to add, this host has no previous reviews, so might just have got the wrong end of the stick about how things work on here. Or, she might just be the best host ever. I’ve just mentioned this to illustrate that even nuances in a listing can influence some sitters, who try to read between the lines to ascertain the best possible matches.
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It could just be an attempt to be whimsical, not knowing how some would regard it.
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I do admire how fair you are in trying to see things from all angles, Garfield; it’s a virtue I try to maintain, but am not always 100% successful. 
Depending how the rest of the listing read (& if everything else seemed ideal) I might still apply for that sit, but I’d also definitely be on higher alert for red flags during the in-person call/video chat.
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@CoreyC Beyond what’s already mentioned, a good strategy from the outset is to disregard the sites misleading promotions and work-related language. Otherwise, you risk eventually matching with people who do, in fact, view this as a job with payment.
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All of this in silver sitters response to you @CoreyC
I usually withdraw after 36 hours if I see my application has been read and not replied to. There are hundreds of sits that appeal to me so why would I hold out in hope for a sit where the owner is not that bothered? The best sits for me are confirmed on the same day as I reply. I don’t both giving them a reason for my withdrawal. I just move along quickly.
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There’s no way to tell definitively, so I’d consider the odds and decide that way. Plus, there are so many sits, why chance it, IMO.
I routinely look for red flags and would automatically skip listings like that. And I have great results from pursuing sits with prompt, communicative hosts, so why bother with those who aren’t.
Sits are easier to get nowadays than in years past. You can tell with long tenured sitters who suggest taking local and/or last minute sits to get started, for example. That seemed like a necessity back in the day.
By contrast, I quickly started getting sits across the country and abroad soon after joining two+ years ago, even though I had no reviews and didn’t bother with any references. And it quickly became even easier once I started getting reviews. I attribute the relative easiness partly to the number of sits growing vs. (good) sitters.
New(er) hosts might not know, but good sitters can be quickly booked up, so better to make time and reply promptly. The hosts who can take their time tend to have the most popular locations, like Paris, London, NYC. Most hosts don’t have popular locations, so they’re better served by being prompt.
Of course, that doesn’t mean sitters should send rude messages or such. Just move on. I just withdraw.
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Hey for the record I disagree with the person who says that you did anything wrong. 48 hours is a ridiculous time to get offended, usually people wait for five applications and then decide between them. We have waited days for a response at times. Not that that is great, but when I have felt put out by a non-response and just gotten the reject notification, I just continue on my way, no nasty replies. I had one application that we put a long heartfelt application in, I could see that they hadn’t even bothered to read it after almost a week, and finally just got the auto reject. I was a little miffed but I didn’t respond negatively. Just move on your way, there’s all kinds of people on this platform, the person who got miffed does not represent the majority of people here.
@Happypets YIKES!! Definitely a hard pass on that kind of listing! Sheesh. Totally missing the point.
I think 48 hours is a little quick for someone to move on and leave a note like that, but to each their own. Generally, sitters are applying to multiple sits that might overlap, so if a homeowner sees an application and it clicks with them – multiple five star reviews, experience with your type of pets, going to be in your area, etc than it’s a good idea to get more information, meet for a chat and just go straight to yes before they take another sit. If you wait for 5 applicaitons, depending on where you live, it could be a long wait and sitters who applied earlier might have taken other sits before you had a chance to get back to them.
On the other hand, if you aren’t thrilled with an application, you can also decline it even if you don’t have “better” ones. You can always just say, “Sorry, we’re not a good fit,” and hit decline.
If someone is in that middle ground where you aren’t sure and you want to wait for more applicants, it’s best to answer them maybe with a question you have that could bring some clarity either way and then make a plan for a video chat. You can still be collecting other applications and looking at other people as well.
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Yes - it can be a tricky one though. If sitters have applied for a sit, they want to know your thoughts straight away. The really experienced sitters get snapped out very quickly.
I always wait until I have a clear set of days before posting my sit. However, although we’ve doing this for years now(100% absolutely brilliant so far), I have seen a noticeable drop off in sitter applications which I think is interesting. It has taken e or week or two since posting, to get sitters come forward. I have recently arranged a sit but from outside of THS as they were a perfect match.
I am interested to know whether there are ant changes to sitters’ bookings if sits are booked a long time in advance, though? I have been given feedback that I haven’t been putting sits up early enough - but that’s never been an issue previously - and this current year, I’ve had two major operations that were unexpected and would have scuppered travel plans, plus just yesterday, I’ve been told by my GP I have potentially another, unrelated condition for which she’s already put me on high-dose steroids (but I will not be cancelling my holiday next week unless I can’t get travel insurance!!). Potentially I need a sitter in March and can organise the dates now but what if something else happens medically - I don’t want to mess sitters about at the last-minute? It’s not easy to be flexible on both sides - it could be important to - but it’s not ideal from an organisational point of view, arguably more so from a sitter’s position.
I think waiting for a reply up to 72 hours is reasonable to be quite honest - if that doesn’t work for the housesitter, that is fine - it is what it is.
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Some longtime hosts have been posting about getting few, if any bites, even though they’ve previously had success with getting sitters more quickly and more easily. There have been such comments / posts from U.S. and U.K. hosts, and even one from South America, where sits are usually few and in demand.
Over at least the past couple of years, it seems like hosts have been joining faster than sitters, leading to sits outnumbering available sitters at a given time. And meanwhile, some sitters who might’ve been able to telecommute previously might have been forced back into offices. Travel costs also have been rising, while various economies and job markets have been struggling. There’s been news coverage of people cutting travel spending, for instance.
Bigger picture, there’s also a natural ceiling to how many people can or want to be sitters (many people are ill suited for such anyway), versus countless potential hosts with pets who need sitting.
That all points to hosts generally needing to compete harder for sitters, especially good, experienced ones.
Each host makes their own choices, of course, but maybe more so than ever, maybe you snooze, you lose.
Most sitters have their own homes. That means we can always stay home and sit less, or ones with resources can still travel without sitting. For instance, I sat a lot more during my first two years of THS than I will this year.
I’m still traveling a lot – just not nearly as much for sits. That means I can be even more selective about which sits to pursue. I bet there are other sitters who can easily cut back on sitting as well.
Also worth noting: Experienced sitters with strong reviews are always in greatest demand. Not only with sits they apply for, but also with invites for repeat sits, as well as unsolicited invitations and referrals to other hosts who need sitters.
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Hi CareyC,
Welcome to the forums. You did nothig wrong and evertybody does things differently. It is always nice if I am contacted immediately but I don’t worry if not. I would never withdraw within 48 hours unless aother equal or more interestig sit came up ad I had recieved a quick reply from that one. Otherwise I just leave my application there. I have only withdrawn about twice and I did always send a very polite reason for why I was withdrawing. I also usually only apply for one sit at a time and rarely ever two or more for the same dates etc.
By recieving an aggressive withdrawal atleats you know it would not be somebody you would want sitting for you
It is always hepful though to have an immediate reply, such as thank you for your application, much appreciated, I am away on a work assignmet at the momet but will get back to you in a few days time. etc.
Good Luck.
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