Why not let HOs set their own limit for the number of applications they can receive before it is paused, rather than one limit for all?
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I have also used AussieHousesitters and really liked the system of deducting points if either sitter or HO does not respond in 5 days with a further deduction after another timeline.
The number of applicants has never put me off applying for a sitting on THS but it would make more sense to adopt the AussieHousesitter programme rather than pausing applications
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I agree, 5 seems quite low. It would be quite difficult to get in first depending on what time of day the listing is posted. Maybe 10 would be more realistic?
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@happycatsitter While I agree with what you are saying and follow a similar path regarding our applications, based on comments on this forum, I don’t believe “everyone” feels the membership fee is for platform maintenance and facilitating HOs and Sitters connecting and making mutually agreeable connections.
It seems to me, based on comments on this forum, that many, both HOs, but especially new sitters, feel that they pay their fee and “voila” sits will drop into their laps and sitters will fall into place, and they do expect their hands to be held and spoon fed regarding processes and fed sits and sitters.
Like you, we do a lot of heaving lifting and have no expectations of THS aside from a platform for exchanges. I would be interested to learn about the research done prior to implementing the new “pause after 5 applications” as it seems to have come up and been implemented very quickly. I agree, it is unfortunate others have made THS team feel this was necessary. Whose ear was bent to make this an immediate priority and why? As you say, careful what you wish for!
Perhaps my previous career (and possibly age/maturity) has brought me to a place where I don’t expect a yes every time I apply for a sit, or a response from a HO, or even that my application is read. I do my best each time and if it works, great, if not, move to the next. I also take the time and thought to respond to requests to sit, even though most come with no personalization or note - treat others as you would expect to be treated.
In this world of modern technology, social media, texting, messaging, etc., expectations are very high for immediate responses at all times of the day or night. People’s phones are always in hand or never far from sight or sound.
Before joining, I researched long and hard about pet sitting and which platform to join. I read all sorts of articles and blogs, looked at hundreds of profiles and did extensive research about the process. I drafted and redrafted our profile (and continue to make updates) and application template, which is then customized for each sit we apply for based on the listing and previous sitter feedback.
All in all, a lot of background work, a lot of ongoing work, and a lot of work prior to, during and post each sit. I put our best foot forward for each sit we apply for and hope a HO responds positively.
I’m not sure this new “controlling” will fix the problem(s) it was intended. You can’t fix human behaviour with controls. I do hope it doesn’t force HOs to accept a sitter that applies within the first 5, but might not be the best fit for their pets.
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As another sitter has mentioned above, I often see a sit advertised and I send a very quick and very brief message to the HO, telling them that as I am at work at that moment, I will have to send an application proper in an hour or so.
When ive done that, my eventual application has been well received and acknowledged.
But now, if Im outside the initial 5, the HO wont see my application until they go through the process of reviewing the first 5 then releasing the pause.
This really isnt going to work!
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But it definitely is a workaround the new pause initiative!!!
I don’t think we can even send a message without clicking on “apply” anyway so if they are sending a message, they are officially applying. They just send the proper application message later.
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This is the problem in my view. If this feature gets added, it should be balanced with also adding the ability for sitters to message HOs without applying.
HOs can then obviously choose to ignore excess messages, and they would still have to go and respond to the first 5 applications before confirming a sit with someone who messaged them outside the application process.
Sitters’ membership fees are paid in exchange for the opportunity to view and apply for ALL listings - not just the ones 5 other people didn’t apply to first 
But no one should be under the impression they are paying for a guarantee that any particular HO will accept or even reply to an application.
Which is a definite work around but totally defeats whatever it is that THS is trying to achieve.
Personally, I spend a good deal of time writing an extensive “why I would be great for you” note. Thinking if I don’t apply in minutes I might miss out does NOTHING to help me as a sitter and means the HO is likely to miss a thoughtful application covering THEIR needs. This just seems crazy to me. A solution I could live with would be if ALL applications would get a reply, even if it is just “thank you for applying, we have begun reviewing apps and will get back to you within the next (#) of days.” And unless it is a last minute sit I am totally fine with waiting 5-7 days. But being told to STOP and answer seems a lot like kindergarten class, not adult solutions. JMO.
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For me, this is a careful what you wish for thing. I would prefer to move on from unreplied to applications rather than have applications cut off at 5.
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Totally agree that 5 is a rather low number . I am not able to be on my phone 24/7 so would miss out. It doesnt seem much of a choice for home owners either
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Why is this a better solution than adding average response time stats to our profiles, for example?
That would let everyone who wants to throw a fit when their message doesn’t get read and replied to within 10 minutes to avoid those who have a longer time, and there would be no need to unfairly deprive sitters of the chance to apply to whatever sits we like.
The HOs’ management of their message inbox should not affect what sitters have access to as part of our membership on this site, full stop.
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But on the other hand when pet owners react quickly and chose the first good sitter that applies within 10 minutes we don’t have access to apply for that sit anyway so we don’t have access to apply to all sits.
Sitters don’t know what sits they are missing when they are away doing something else.
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Thanks, but you still haven’t addressed the Availability Calendar issue. Most of us want to be able to mark the calendar on the dates we’re ‘unavailable’ rather than ‘available’. It really would be much simpler.
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Im the one who wants the Florida beach house!
Recently a HO accepted the first person who applied to her Sarasota adv.
She thanked me (I was within the first three).
Now the sitter has dropped out and HO has asked me to step in.
I cannot, I have another sit now lined up.
Crying !!!
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This would be good. International sitters shouldn’t be penalised. Time zones matter.
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In my opinion, there should be no automatic pause. Owners should be able to decide how many applications they want to receive. Maybe a choice when he post the listing, 5 - 10 or illimited.
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On ‘Borrow My Doggy’ in the UK, the profiles of those offering to have your dog show whether they ‘often’, ‘usually’ or hardly at all log in.
This is the case for those would-be borrowers who have paid upfront for a year’s Premium membership!!!
I just dont gettit!
I avoid those people completely as I haven’t time to send messages to those who dont ever log on!
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Ben
Thank you for all you and your colleagues at THS do to help us all!
Regarding the product update - It might be helpful for all of us sitters/homeowners to understand how your proposed pausing would work. To help us along, could you please answer the following questions:
- Once your five-application limit is reached, will the sit be visible (perhaps greyed out) or not to other sitters? If it is not visible, we sitters will have no idea what the impact of this change has been on us, i.e., how many sits we might have applied for that we never had the opportunity because THS stopped us, not because the HO quickly picked a sitter.
- During the pause periods, and assuming sitters can see the sits but not be able to officially respond, will sitters be able to add their applications to a queue or will they have to wait until the owner declines enough applications to get below the five-limit? Again this is a concern with us because we are five time zones later than our principal target market.
- You mentioned in your first post that one of THS’ objectives was to “3. Redistribute applications and improve success.” Could you expand on this objective please? What exactly do you mean by redistributing applications? And whose success are you trying to improve? We, and many experienced sitters, take pride in honing our introduction and cover letters to secure our sits, and go to great lengths to differentiate ourselves on sits – with the pets, neighbors, and owners.
I think a better way of improving sitters’ success would be to help them learn how to market themselves. This would be similar to career firms working on individuals resumes, cover letters and interviews, and is often done via Zoom, YouTube and similar technology platforms. Why not use that method to level the playing field and help everyone be better at the process?
My personal recommendation would be to leave the queue open for at least 24 hours, or until the owner chooses a sitter or manually pauses the process. I really don’t like THS controlling what owners and sitters see. I believe THS should be a conduit for information flow, not a filter or blocker.
Thanks again. I know we all want to make THS better and more responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.
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Hi @Ben-ProductManager can you please prioritise the review system. This is the most important thing for sitters and HO when making initital decisions to apply/invite for a sit. Numbers of applications, response times, calendar accuracy don’t really matter when the basic decision is “can I rely on this person to deliver what they say in their listing/application?” Accurate & honest reviews allowing people to tell their experience story without fear of retaliatory reviews from the other party will achieve this basic need. It will also smarten up those parties who have been slack in their reviews. Think of it like reading job applications, you always want to interview the candidates who have the standout applications (in this case the reviews/feedback) not the ones with limited or wishy washy information, that don’t say much. Also, while you are at it, how about some consistency for all parties, calling them either “reviews” or “feedback” for both sitters and HO. “Reviews” for one lot and “feedback” for the others is nonsensical. It sounds like sitters are having a performance review and HO are getting some “by the way…” feedback. Yes, I know a wholesale revamp of the review system is challenging & costly & time consuming but listen to your clients, not “members” (we are not a club), without whom the THS business would not exist, it’s what your clients are begging for…
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