Hi guys! I am relatively new to this and wonder what could be the reason if a sitter applies for a sit and doesn’t respond to my messages? I am in a desirable location and usually receive all the applications within 15 minutes. I look through the applicants and the first I like I contact within 30 minutes. And then it’s silence and I don’t know what to tell the rest of the applicants.
I feel terrible to say ‘no’ to people and at the same time I can’t say ‘yes’ as I’ve already committed to the first applicant which doesn’t respond. This makes me nervous, as I have a lot of things to think about before traveling. How to avoid this situation in the future, any advice?
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You haven’t committed to that applicant, you presumably have said you’re interested in them and would like to schedule a video chat. If any of the other applicants seem suitable, send the same message. Don’t wait around for an answer, they’re probably talking to other home owners as well. Experienced sitters don’t sit and wait days for a HO to answer, they’re applying to multiple sits.
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You haven’t committed to the first sitter. If they’re not responding to your messages see it as a red flag and contact your second choice.
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How long has it been without answer? It could be impossible to answer for long stretches of time.
Has the sitter «Read» your message? It should be marked either Read or Unread. Even if Read, sometimes one is able to read a message and not being able to answer immediately (like my smartwatch allows me to read but not answer, or one could be in a meeting, on a plane about to take off or similar). So time matters.
I answer quickly usually, but sometimes I can be in situations where I can’t answer.
It could also be because sitter want to look into travel arrangements before answering.
Why do you feel obliged? Have you sent an invitation to sit? That is not usual without a videocall. The first thing many do is to schedule a videocall to talk further, get to know each other, ask questions and in general see if it is a good match.
Sitters are encouraged by THS to apply for multiple sits. That makes sense, as statistically the chance of getting a sit with 5 applicants would be 20 %. So a member - host or sitter - could also leave someone on the backburner as a plan B. Not great.
So - time. THS terms says a member should answer within 72 hours. My sits are usually confirmed - videocall included! - within 24-48 hours. While I was recently declined for a sit I applied for 7 months ago and never heard anything back from (the host actually had several dates at that time, and the other dates are still un-answered. No, I won’t take that sit if offered. Just keeping it un-withdrawn out of curiousity… 
).
I would say if more than 24 hours, just cancel invite and go forward with others.
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Thank you, that’s exactly as you say - ‘red flag’. I am always too polite and wait for the answer from the first one. Oh well, you live and you learn. Feels cruel though.
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Yes, they usually read but don’t answer even though they just applied for the sit! That’s what surprises me, I answer within 30 minutes and they are already gone to someone else. Thank you for your advice, I will wait 24 hours and move on.