Has anyone else had a problem with hosts developing their own list of sitters then advertising on THS and then going with a previous sitter who hasn’t officially applied.
I get how and why this happens but it doesn’t seem fair and surely against the ethos of the group.
I applied for a sit about 10 minutes after it was listed. There were no other applicants. Lots of messages exchanged between us and a phone call arranged for today…
I’ve just been informed via text by the host that they are going to go with a previous sitter… it’s so disappointing and makes me wonder if there’s any point in renewing our membership. This is the second time this has happened.
Probably the former sitter saw their listing and applied as they were going back to the area. Doesn’t happen often. If they attended for a former sitter to sit for them they would send them a private invitation and you would not of seen the sit. I understand if a former sitter that they are happy with would be more ideal. There is comfort in that and they don’t have to worry about an unknown sitter. I’m sure you will find another sit soon that is just as ideal.
I’m on a repeat sit now. It’s someone I sat for a few years ago and she invited me a few times after that and the dates never worked out. Recently, she listed dates that I was going to be in the area again and was available so I applied and she accepted me immediately. I also do some repeat sits for hosts who do reach out to me directly. If I’m available I do the sit, if not, they list it. I’ve also had the same experience as you where I’ve been declined when they found out a previous sitter could do the sit. I don’t see anything unfair about a host going with a sitter they already know. Everyone is looking for a good match.
You are probably in the minority for thinking repeat sits are “unfair” or “against the ethos of THS.” The site allows sitters to apply or decline for any sit listed. It doesn’t force homeowners to list sits or to give everyone a chance. There are many other reasons besides “gave the sit to a previous sitter” why someone might get declined for a sit.
Because homeowners choose the dates and most sitters are using THS for travel (whether they are nomadic or not) there are always thousands of listings available and even if a host wants someone to come back, the person might not be available. But it often works out great for both the homeowner and the sitter when someone can come back.
If you are having trouble finding a sit, people here can help you improve your profile. I sit and I host. I’ve gotten declined when a previous sitter could do a sit. It’s not personal and there are other sits I can get. As a homeowner I now have enough previous (great) sitters that about half the time or more I can find someone without publicly listing. If
THS made a rule that I could only choose new sitters, I’d probably just invite those same sitters and keep it outside of THS. Not everyone is going to do THS the way you do. Some of my repeat sitters are local and need to stay in the local area for classes or other jobs, so repeat sits are a lifeline for them.
If you are talking about someone listing publicly and then taking a person who applied previously, I get how this can happen. Most homeowners aren’t experts at this only doing it a few times a year. They might think it’s not worth to reach out to someone who sat for them a while back and then be thrilled when the person applies.
Seems perfectly reasonable and fair if a host and sitter want to repeat. If you’re a good sitter, that might happen for you, too.
Personally, I had a video chat scheduled with a host and they ended up choosing a repeater once they learned they were available. Shrug. I didn’t begrudge anyone. Just moved on.
If that possibility is enough to make you consider quitting, that seems overly touchy.
@Lolgen35, we support comments from @systaran.
You raise a great observation. We’ve been on both sides of this - as repeat housesitter that secured listing, and as applicant that got declined. We don’t take declines personally. Any THS pet parents can confirm a sit with any housesitter. Whether the pet parent chooses to use application date/time as a criteria is up to them. But we know many pet parents that relish repeat housesitters - whether asking privately before a listing is published, or making an open offer to return.
In terms of ‘fair’ this is a challenging perspective. A common attribute of newbie pet parents appears to be an [understandable] attitude towards a ‘fair competition’ … they want to speak with all applicants; explore all options; casually reflect on their preferences … by which time some good quality applicants have likely secured alternative sits or withdrawn applications!
Suggest take deep breath, let it go and find incremental great listings.
As a HO I can tell you that “fair” has nothing to do with it. The goal of THS is to provide a match for the HO and the Sitter. If the HO posted their sit and you looked like a great applicant, they wanted to expore it with you. Great! Then… BAM…a previous, known to them, good sitter applied - of course they will go with that known sitter. Easy Peasy decision for a HO. Its the best fit for both parties. Nothing goind against any Ethos here. Its working as it should. You can and should be applying for mutiple sits that overlap and are of interest to you. Pick the best sit for YOU that you are offered, if a HO wanted to pick you but you chose another Sit during your multi-pronged application approach, its the same thing.
The HO was kind enough to give you a reason why they didnt choose you. Say thanks for taking the time to get to know you and that you would love the oppotunity in the future to apply again, and move on. This step will allow you the chance at this sit in the future. Walk away saying nothing because you are upset and you may not have the chance to be chosen in the future.
As a sitter that’s been on THS for 4 years and done 29 sits I have a number of Hosts that will reach out to me to sit again. There’s a couple of hosts I’m happy to do again as they are great hosts and the sits are easy.
So losing out to known sitters of the hosts is normal I’m afraid.
There is no guarantee that life will be fair 
Not sure why you think it’s unfair? They posted, the prior sitter who they already know likely reached out. No different than if another sitter applied and you weren’t selected. You don’t get every sit you apply for, so just move on and look for another…
Your perception about a lack of fairness in the process is misplaced .
HO’s chose from amongst applicants. If a previous sitter is in that pool, they , from my perspective, have an asset that you, an unfamilar sitter don’t have : a history with and a familarisation with the people and pets in question.
That is certainly not a slam against you at all. It is a simple fact of life - one may benefit from having had a relationship with a person previously.
Again , saying nothing about your trustworthiness, reliability, responsiblity, etc. (which I’ll assume are stellar), the HO chose someone whose qualities they know and trust.
I’ll also assume that you don’t have many previous sits with THS ? (Apologies if I’m wrong)
If this is so, get a few local sits under your belt and your expanded THS cv may help you in future applications.
It is not as covert a process as you believe and I strongly encourage you to keep applying with the knowledge that one doesn’t always get what one wants…
I’m obviously a horrible cynic, for seeing “We’re going with a previous sitter” as being in the same category as “I’m having to cancel sitting for you at the last minute because of a Family Emergency”…
It’s just possible that HOs see it as less awkward than “Despite our previous enthusiasm, we’ve found someone we prefer.” But yeah… I’m a horrible cynic.
I don’t understand your comment? OP applied for a listing, there was a video chat scheduled but then the HO declined because they chose a prior sitter. No sit with OP was ever confirmed at all, so there was no cancellation. OP is just disappointed at not being selected for the sit, but that doesn’t make it unfair.
This is easy enough to check, if you want to verify. After the sit window, check the host’s profile and see whether the sitter has repeat sat.
Just a funny aside: I received a video this morning from the host-wife of a sit I recently did in Manhattan. Their younger cat is the most lovable little rascal. This screen grab is from a video of him at their weekend home.
They have two upcoming sits with sitters who’ve sat for them nine times before. And they have at least one other set of sitters who’ve repeated, from what I recall of their host profile and reviews. I guess I might get another shot to sit, though, since the hosts want to stay in touch.
Is kitty’s name Tarzan ? Thanks for the laugh this a.m..
We have a handful of favorite sitters on a spreadsheet with information such as their availabilty and other relevant notes. If we think they’ll be a good fit for an upcoming sit we reach out to them first, giving each one 24 hours to reply and if we don’t pull a sitter from our list (which is usually the case since good sitters tend to be booked) we then post public dates.
I think it’s a bit rude to post public dates and THEN contact prior sitters, it can be a waste of potential sitter’s time and effort.
But the IDEA of using the same pool of sitters makes sense because you know them, trust them and don’t have to go through the handoff again, in fact you can even leave before they get there.
You can do the same thing over time and I bet when you get invited back over and over you won’t mind the concept at all!
I kind of get the original poster’s point. I remain in close touch with several past sitters and know their schedules (just as they know mine). I would only post a listing if I knew none of them were available
No, but it should’ve been. Or else maybe Houdini, because he also always tried to escape — my hosts warned about in their listing, though.
He was so sweet and fun. I hope I get to sit him and his elder (also very sweet) again.
