In like vein, I tried to send an HO a private message offering to sit for her (she’d posted here saying she’d had no applications and was worried) - and found I’d actually stuck a post up on the public messageboards.
As someone who’s embarrassed by her own shadow, I wanted to die! Only briefly - but still..
Yesterday I wrote a HO that I wasn’t available for the sit I’d applied for. She had read the app and hadn’t responded to me at all in a day or two. Well, I was actually annoyed that she took the time to respond to me immediately after my note saying thanks for letting her know and good luck, etc. What was she thinking? If she thinks it’s polite to acknowledge my note declining further interaction, why wouldn’t she say something polite after my long and thoughtful application acknowledging the request? Whatever. Glad I don’t wait around for lackluster communicators.
As a host I’ll guess that she was reviewing applications and considering yours, and until she made the decision she had nothing helpful to say to you so she didn’t. When you canceled, as the decision was made she gave you the courtesy of acknowledging it.
That’s exactly what I would have done if I was in the host’s situation. I don’t reply to sitter applications within the first 2 days except for my first choice and who I am arranging a videochat with.
As a HO that has only had a total of 5 sitters by now, I will say that I had no idea of all of the ins and outs and secret messages hidden in reviews on both sides, and proper etiquette on THS (like ALWAYS including a short note with a decline as to the why), etc. While I was fast to reply to everyone from the get go, I didnt know to ALWAYS give a reason for the decline. As a NEW TO THS HO it is overwhelming when you put out a sit and get 5 applications right away. Then take the time to read through ALL of the messages and ALL of the profiles one by one within a day. I am retired so I have more time than many others. I now have my listing really honed in and understand the unwritten rules for responding to ALL applicants within 24 hours usually. So maybe the person was a a New-to-THS HO and still figuring things out. It has definitely been a learning curve as a newbie.
@MTBer It’s the nature of the marketplace; people can show interest one second and vanish the next. It’s not written in stone that either side owes two minutes of common courtesy, particularly if options are perceived as unlimited.
If it makes you feel any better, I once recieved over 200 applications for a REAL job 
Despite a great deal of feedback you still maintain the same position..
And that’s exactly what @sandydandy and many other sitters don’t like: To see that their application is read, sometimes for days, with no acknowledgement whatsoever. The sitter has no idea if there is any interest or not. I too would withdraw my App after a certain time. Sometimes withdrawing triggers an immediate response but by then its often too late. The longer my application goes unacknowledged the lower my interest becomes. I appreciate good and courteous communication.
I understand, and as a result of what I’ve read on this forum by sitters I now contact sitter applicants within 48 hours to let them know that I’m either reviewing applications or that I’ve found a sitter that I expect to confirm shortly. I send them a polite and friendly decline message at the same time that I confirm the sit, explaining that I found a sitter that I think will be a good match, and (where applicable) advise them to feel free to apply to future dates. If they are rejected due to low/no review history I will suggest ways to build credibility to have more success going forward.
@idocsteve That’s contradicts what you said above.. 
but good to hear you are now choosing to acknowledge/respond to sitters in a more timely manner.
So essentially you will say thank you to an unsuccessful applicant but don’t care to say thank you to someone after they have actually done a sit for you?
I originally said I don’t respond to sitter applicants within 2 days, that was a bit ambiguous. I meant to say that I respond to sitter applicants in about 2 days time (or sooner if a decision has been made).
I don’t use the words “thank you” towards previous sitters, but I express my appreciation in my review and followup text. The text to my last sitter reads “Our home and pets are in great shape. You did a wonderful job. The house is cleaner than we usually leave it and Buddy is his usual self. I will write a 5 star review later this evening. Hope to see you again on another sit (let me know if you’d like me to reach out the next time we travel).
Note that ironically I pointed out how clean the house was, not knowing he planned to dock me a star because it wasn’t up to his standards.
OK- I withdraw my previous comment- You have not altered your approach after all! Two days is too long to acknowledge an applicant.
And I agree with the comment from @MaggieUU. You have still not taken it on board that a simple “Thank you” is worth its weight in gold to sitters after they’ve put a great deal of effort and heart into a sit..
You said that the sitter left the house cleaner than you usually leave it and he docked a star for cleanliness.
Seems that the reviews synched up rather well.
I never said he was wrong. I said he was petty and I prefer people to be direct and honest when they deal with me.
In your opinion and in the eyes of some other sitters 2 days is too long to wait for a reply from a host that you submitted an application to sit for.
I respectfully disagree.
Perhaps a change of pace would help..?
Allowing a 48-hour response time on the forum, as opposed to the listing, might relieve some of the pressure on your schedule. A little variety sometimes goes a long way 
Funny, i had thevexact same thing this week
Very quick response and explanation, very friendly so no problem 
I’m on the forum to share knowledge and give advice. I’m not sitting around waiting for answers.
Actually I have a use-case that would explain this.
A previous host of mine with a desirable home & location created a new Sit, which immediately got several applications. I got notification because they’re favorited, and sent them a text (not an application) asking if they’d be interested in having me back. They said “Absolutely,” and on the spot sent me an invite that I accepted right away. That would have caused the automated declines to go out.
I actually experienced your scenario in the past, though, before I knew how it could happen, and have to admit I was rather flabbergasted. Made me wonder if I had BO or bad breath or something, until I remembered they couldn’t smell me from that far away. 
Well, that was a short-lived experiment 