There are so many reasons why a second method of contact is necessary that I won’t mention them here. Yet, I’ve seen forums where a panicked host or sometimes sitter is not able to get in touch with the other party because there is no way to contact other than through the app/messaging system.
It would be very simple to have a prompt for both parties or simply to have a preferred secondary system (text preferred, email acceptable) of communication or preferrably to have it stored in the system and available once a sit is confirmed.
It would be even better if THS just sent each party the other’s contact details when the sit get’s agreed.
I’ve lost count of the number of sits I’ve seen cancelled because a HO decides to contact the sitter unexpectedly through THS and the message is clearly not read but they have a meltdown, get egged on by others and cancel the sit.
Yes, many of us do work arounds for this. Most people will do a video chat on WhatsApp or Facetime so that can be a method. Still there are constantly cases of people having no way to contact beyond the message system and not even a warning from THS that this isn’s sufficient.
We always complete a video call via WhatsApp. And then, for confirmed sits, setup a WhatsApp group for all Pet Parent(s) and Housesitter(s) well before the start date. Seems to work effectively. Unless specific reason, we disregard THS Message platform shortly after application.
I think it’s common sense for owners and sitters to swap WhatsApp numbers/email addresses once a video call is going to be set up, or even before. THS is unlikely to add this to their long list of things they’re not going to do, so common sense should prevail.
Honestly, some personal responsibility would be better than adding yet another reminder from THS. I simply cannot understand how any HO or sitter would not think getting other contact info is critical, and they shouldn’t need a reminder for it.
Clearly, there is an issue regarding alternate communications, because we see it come up on the forum, but THS can’t cover every situation, and adding all these little stop-gaps (such as the guest tick-box) allows for no nuance makes it seem like THS is way more than the matching site it is. I’d rather THS work on structural issues on the site - getting rid of glitches, ensuring that anyone who cancels their membership automatically cancels any books sits after expiration with notice to the other party, mandatory updates of profiles before a listing goes live if there are new requirements, the list goes on.
Maybe they can just add it to the terms and conditions - that contact details would be passed over upon accepting a sit. Just an easy Ts and Cs change. What could go wrong?
I get what you are saying on this, but the practical point is that THS does NOTHING presently to encourage users to have a second means of contact and in fact was even exploring adding video-capabilities, so even mentioning this in instructions or somewhere would be a big improvement.
Prior to doing a Zoom video chat, we exchange emails (so we can send the sitters a link to the Zoom invite). Then, if it looks like we’re compatible and want to confirm the sitter, we exchange cell numbers, too.
So that’s three ways we now have to contact each other. Going on five years of doing it this way and it works great. We didn’t need a reminder from THS.
What would really be useful is a FAQ (frequently asked questions) under the Help section. Where you can scan through the questions that are asked ALL THE TIME. And there you could have one about how to communicate with your host or sitter. The answer should include instructions to establish another way besides the THS inbox. This would be sooo easy to implement, right?
And most of us don’t. But just as an example: I had a sit a while back where I broke my rule about accepting a sit without a chat. I had included my phone number with my initial application. I was offered it right away and it seemed perfect so I accepted but sent a message asking for an outside means to contact and that we have a video chat soon. My message remained on “read” for weeks with no contact from the homeowner. As it was a “confirmed” sit, I couldn’t unconfirm it, but I was feeling a bit shaky. I actually put together breadcrumbs and came up with a likely home address and phone number. I even left a facebook message but then regretted it as it seemed a little stalkerish. I finally requested the welcome guide which I think led to an email from THS and a response.
Most of us (sitters and hosts) do share a second means of contact, but when people don’t it creates problems. In an effort to scale things up, THS should be spending those membership dollars solving problems so they can get more membership dollars.
I’d never plan to go on a sit without the host’s phone numbers and email.
I thought that info was a part of the confirmation.
On that note, I leave my phone number. The first time I contact the host, and most seem very reluctant to text or call, so often I miss messages on the app because I’m not on it all the time.
I know that Rover.com assigns a phone number to the sitter’s account so that you can directly text and communicate with the potential pet parent without revealing the sitter’s number. Perhaps a system like that could be set up. I usually start out using the app then after it’s confirmed, we usually share phone numbers if in the U.S. or What’s App. It’s more efficient than logging in to the TH site. I usually tell the parents that they’ll receive timely messages via my phone but periodic updates through the TH app explaining that TH would prefer that we communicated mainly through the app. But if it’s more urgent, I’d rather communicate directly. It’s never been a problem. There are paper trails both ways.
ugh, that would 100% make things worse, as it would actively discourage users from providing alternative ways to communicate.