Hi there, I am new to this and have created a listing. I am interested in an applicant. What is the best way to go about the next stage please? Do I suggest a Zoom call with them? If so, if I feel they would be a good fit, do I ask them on the call if they would like to go ahead, or do I thank them for their time and then ask them in writing, so as not to put them on the spot?
Any advice welcome!
Many thanks, Liz
Hi Liz,
Welcome to THS!
Yes, definitely go ahead and ask for a video call if you like their application - this is standard practice for gaining a sitter and is what THS themselves recommend. Be sure to swap contact details, ask lots of questions during the call and get a good feel for whether they’re a good match for you. If you reach mutual agreement during or after the call, you can go ahead and confirm them as your sitter on the site. You can definitely discuss this during the call, asking at the end if they’d be happy to sit for you (if you’re happy with them) or if they’d prefer some time to think about it. Just ask 
Be sure to also respond to their application promptly (within 72 hours) to avoid them withdrawing their application or confirming a sit elsewhere, as sitters often apply to multiple sits at once. Hope that helps and best of luck!
Hi @LizWright, welcome to the forum.
It’s very nice of you to be so thoughtful. As @Nagy26 says, if you think you’re a good match during the video chat, you can tell them so, you can also offer the sitter some time to consider it if they are not ready on the spot. The vast majority of my sits have been agreed on during the video chat. I have received the invitation right afterwards and confirmed immediately.
Sitters usually like to get a welcome guide well before the sit so that all practical information is covered and any questions can be clarified.
Greetings!
I am having my third housesitter experience start on Tuesday after having had two caring and responsible people to care for my animals/home this year.
I felt good talking to my third one and she confirmed but now she just texted on the app talking about payment for housesitting. I usually provide food but no one has expected payment. Am I missing something? Help please-a bit late to find someone else but maybe I can…
Thanks for any advice!
You are not supposed to provide food (although some hosts would leave a little welcome gift) - a sitter asking for money is breach of terms and should be reported to member service.
I would say as a sitter - report her. Because she is likely to do it again and to hosts that are not on forum and able to ask here.
support@trustedhousesitters.com
And ofc cancel.
Outrageous.
I second everything @Garfield advised
Welcome to forum @LizWright !
As the others I have often been offered the sit in the videocall.
Some would, even with a successful chat, wait to the next day to decide - for both parties - so that the sitter get to check travel arrangements and both get to have a think after the chat. I think that too could be sensible. If one or both of you are new to THS or if travel costs are high or travel somewhat complicated, need to check if one can get time off from work or other, it could be useful to wait to the next day to make an informed decision of confirmation. You might want to cover topics like this in your chat. If sitter hasn’t looked into it, let them look into it before you confirm. I ask that also as a sitter, whether the travel plans of host are firm, have they booked tickets or have firm times for arrival/ departure as I need that for my planning or booking.
Do not confirm this sitter @sequoianan. Remind her this is an equal exchange where no money changes hands and she is violating the Terms of Service she has agreed to when joining THS. Re-advertise your listing. Remember both owners and sitters should have a Plan B in case things don’t work out at the last minute. Do not be tempted to accept and pay her!
Is she new to THS - sitters don’t receive payment . Screenshot her messages and contact THS on the Urgent Support PhoneLine - which is a 24/7 phone line . You can see the number on your dashboard.
@sequoianan, welcome to the forum.
As others have said, it’s totally unacceptable to ask for payment. You should report her and cancel the sit. I know it’s too close to the dates but you can post your sit here on the forum as a last minute sit.
Good luck!
Thank you all for your information and positive input! I couldn’t sleep last night after she texted about payment for pet/housesitting-honestly felt like extortion (yes, I’m being dramatic 
).
I have texted her and explained why she wouldn’t work out- VERY uncomfortable….and canceled her.
Wish me luck as I re-post my request! Fingers crossed 
!!
(Post edited by the Forum Team to remove dates as per the Terms of Service).
I agree, it must feel like extortion. Still time! If less than 7 days you can also post here on forum in Last minute-section. Good luck!
I’d report her to THS to potentially help other hosts avoid her. Send her text as proof.
Thanks so much!! Working fervently on figuring this out!
No payment for sure and no food UNLESS you’re feeling exceptionally generous ! As a sitter, I never expect food and I believe that most sitters concur.
PLEASE report anyone who asks for payment !!! Good call on your part and better luck with future applicants !
Thank you so much. Had a great video call and have confirmed with sitters
Thank you so much for your advice. We had a great video call and have confirmed with the sitters
Good to know. Thanks for the update.
Good luck.
Ok calm down people. She may not have known that you can not charge on this site but the reality is there are many people that do this for a living and YES get paid for it.
No it’s not allowed here on THS so I would “kindly…” explain that to them and perhaps you may have a good sitter as a candidate that simply did not know. Simple.
You don’t have to call out the henchmen.