Hi, I’ve been trying to organise a sitter for about 2 weeks now. I’ve asked sitters who have ‘favourited’ my listing & used the ‘find a sitter’ facility but each time after putting in my sit dates, I’m getting sitters that are not available on those dates. I’ve sent at least 20 invites only to be told that the sitter isn’t available.
Very disappointing & time consuming.
Am I doing something wrong? Surely there is a faster, easier way of searching without having to send so many unsuccessful invites out.
Typically, sitters will favourite a listing for future notifications because they’re not able to do your listed dates.
The usual way would be to list your sit dates and sitters apply to your sit. Have you posted your sit dates?
If you have posted dates, we could look into why you do not get applications. Is the listing appealing so a sitter would want to apply to your sit? Are your expecations reasonable? Often things can be adjusted with small tweaks to get applications from a good match. You can add the link to your listing in your forum profile, and we could have a look and help out with some tips.
Please follow @ Garfield advice. I hope THS does not suggest to new hosts to contact sitters that favored them. It is rare when that works. It was just today that I unfavored my favorites. I was being contacted by those hosts but was unavailable. Now I am just going to look for hosts when I am able to travel and to the destination I am seeking. Linking your sit here will get you lots of good suggestions as sitters can tell you what needs improvement and what is positive about your listing. Being in a desirable area helps and not too hot now that we are moving into summer.
Hi, thank you for your reply. Yes I have posted a sit. I got 2 offers, the 1st accepted another offer & the 2nd couldn’t come as there is no access to public transport here. I have included this in my listing but she had missed it.
Not sure how to add my listing as I’m on my android phone with no access at the moment to a computer.
How much time till the sit? You might be better off posting the listing and getting some help to make it more attractive to applicants. You can also delete the listing and repost it so that it looks new and shiny.
Below, I’ve shared the steps that’ll help you add a link to your listing to your forum profile. Our community members can then offer their advice to help you find the perfect sitter.
Ok, I’ve just had a look. The lack of transport may be an issue for some, but your house looks nice and the dogs are cute. Airbed may also put some people off, but you do mention it’s high quality and comfortable. I would be surprised if you didn’t get some applications soon.
Hello @Ash4bruyere & welcome. Your sit looks pleasant & pretty. A few things that could be blockers are needing a car of your own, only being able to leave the property for 4 hours at a time & the air bed. Could you offer transport or could someone manage with a bike if the nearest town is only 8kms and it’s only an 8 day sit? Could you offer the main bedroom as well or as an alternative? Could you extend the 4 hours to 6? If you think about it as the sitter, they can’t leave the dogs for long, need their own car and there isn’t a proper bed right now. If you solve those it would be a much stronger listing. If you added another bedroom and made it family friendly that could also help as kids love feeding birds and it’s a nice place just to hang out for a week and a family is more likely to have their own car. You also mention Sam needs 60 minutes walking but then responsibilities say just fuss, feed & play so please clarify this too. #frenchescape
Hi, thanks for the reply. I understand the idea about the bed, but I can assure you it is very comfortable and a good size, not one of those cheap camping ones.
Good idea about the bikes
It would not be possible to use the main bedroom to accommodate a family .
I think 4 hours is plenty long enough other than emergencies. My listing is all about relaxation and being with the dogs. I hope to attract people who work from home, writers , artists etc that appreciate nature & tranquility.
Will check, but Sam needs up to an hour a day exercise. In the summer both only get a half hour a day either early in the morning or late evening as it gets way too hot. Our garden is big with a small wood at the back so plenty of room for the pair of them to play in.
My dates are not fixed and could be adjusted for the sitter if needed to accommodate their travel arrangements. I have 2 weeks off of work between 20/06 & 5/07.
As others have said you’re in competition for sitters who have a choice amongst sits offered. Needing a car will already eliminate many people who would need to hire one as car hire during the summer in France is v expensive (hopefully you’re seeking wealthier artists:). Those working from home usually need high speed and stable wifi.
The airbed is going to be a major drawback for many many people (me included). I presume the bedroom you have included photos of is the spare room? If so, it looks like you could easily buy a more comfortable mattress, which might be more appealing.
Personally I’d also be put off by the ‘caged finches’.
As you can see sitters have their own priorities so your sit will only appeal to those who are after what you offer.
Got it. You can still adjust what you have to work better for you. So, maybe add a line that says “the airbed is super comfortable and feels like a normal bed and we’ve slept on it many times ourselves.” (If that’s all true) I didn’t mean you would put the whole family in your bedroom, I meant sleep them over two bedrooms and then families can also apply. Two people in each room so offer more accommodation options. You don’t have to flex much on 4 hours (& 4/5 hours alone is normal & what our own family working dogs are fine with) but if you changed it to “up to 6 hours” then you’ll again open up your pool of sitters and then you can chat details. You have blockers. In order to attract unpaid sitters you need to remove as many of them as you can. The more flexible you come across as a host the better your chances. We are full time digital nomads who work from home and rarely leave the property for more than 2/3 hours but wouldn’t pay for a hire car for an unpaid sit, it makes no sense and there are too many alternatives. If you really want sitters to apply then this is wise advice. You only have a single review too so you’re new to this and sitters have their pick right now. #bestofluck
So many people on THS are traveling flying from one destination to another so there is no car. Even if you provide bicycles that would help. If no public transportation and you’re not providing a car for the sitters to use, you may continue to see low or no applications.
I’m not ever sleeping on an airbed… NEVER. Why haven’t you got a normal bed for guests? Or can you offer the choice of main bedroom or the airbed… ?
The airbed would stop me reading the rest of the listing, that’s a hard NO I’m afraid. I also don’t do sofa beds….
I am just going to add a few points. I will be adding to my listing later,that we have solar panels and a pure drinking water filtration set up in our house. Our bed is a proper bed , exceptionally comfortable and everyone who has slept on it has said how good it is. We do not want a solid bed frame and mattress because other than the odd time we both leave the house for a holiday together the room is used as a gym. When we do have guests it is a very good bedroom with a set of solid , empty drawers, hanging rail for clothes and a television.
I thought the idea of using the THS site was in return for supplying a comfortably FREE loan of a beautiful furnished house, 2 lovely dogs who just need love & company, FREE electricity, FREE wood for the fire etc. etc. We would receive a person who would appreciate a nice, peaceful, basically a FREE holiday from someone genuinely wanting to spend time, somewhere different, perhaps escaping from city life and enjoying the company of my animals. I am not using this site for FREE animal care but for the benefit of my dogs. I prefer for them to stay in our home where they are happy.
Anyone not happy with this, just scroll on. I would rather cancel my holiday than make my dogs uncomfortable from someone who wants to leave them on their own whilst having their FREE holiday. I know the sitters have the benefit of choice of sits but doesn’t mean I have to bow down to anyone who doesn’t ‘do’ blow up beds nor sofa beds .You are very welcome to going elsewhere.
If you looked for a gite in France with all the perks of my house,you would be looking at around 500 euros a week, plus cost of any travel arrangements etc. I’m putting my trust in someone looking after my animals and house in return for someone who wants to relax by the pool with a glass of wine.
Hopefully we will find the perfect person like last time with Celia but if not ‘tant pis’ we will stay at home.
You are using THS for free pet service or you would hire a pet sitter to stay at your home. You said you will cancel your sit if you can’t find your FREE pet sitter. You are not even considering paying for a sitter to stay with your pets. Not only do you have dogs but ducks and many birds. The more animals the more chances one will possibly need vet care while you’re away. No car to transport. The airbed would not bother me but being isolated with no transportation would. Your pool looks only like a dipping pool for one. Can’t do laps in it. I would not pay to rent a car as I would rather put that money towards getting a hotel or even a hostel that some offer en suite private rooms. Stayed in one in Türkiye which was lovely. Taking care of all those pets is work! Watching your house and taking care of problems is work. This is an exchange site that should be fair. I will not rent a car to drive me to the grocery store and it seems there is no other way to get there from your area.
Not a FREE holiday with that many animals to care for. Takes time out of the “holiday” and definitely comes with care and responsibilities. Which is part of the EXCHANGE. Hiring a gite is not a comparison as it would be without responsibility and time restrictions and most likely have a real bed. I do understand you optimising your spare room at times without guests. You still have time and there are all sorts of sitters out there.
Both parties need to think they’re getting a good deal. If you’re not getting many applicants, it’s probably because sitters think they can do better.
Previous commenters were trying to help you understand why you might have a challenge, given that you’re competing for sitters.
Personally, I wouldn’t apply for any sit with a bunch of pets and rent a car. Nor would I partner with any host who keeps highlighting how sitters are getting X, Y and Z free. It’s not free — it’s bartering for labor, which also would cost you money otherwise.
hope I’ve included the link correctly.
& welcome. Your sit looks pleasant & pretty. A few things that could be blockers are needing a car of your own, only being able to leave the property for 4 hours at a time & the air bed. Could you offer transport or could someone manage with a bike if the nearest town is only 8kms and it’s only an 8 day sit? Could you offer the main bedroom as well or as an alternative? Could you extend the 4 hours to 6? If you think about it as the sitter, they can’t leave the dogs for long, need their own car and there isn’t a proper bed right now. If you solve those it would be a much stronger listing. If you added another bedroom and made it family friendly that could also help as kids love feeding birds and it’s a nice place just to hang out for a week and a family is more likely to have their own car. You also mention Sam needs 60 minutes walking but then responsibilities say just fuss, feed & play so please clarify this too. 