Feeling frustrated today. This is kind of an addendum to my post a couple of weeks ago about posting a sit in a popular tourist location during prime season. I have one applicant that keeps reapplying each time I decline her even after I asked her to stop. I have another who sends a 2 line application and when I decline wants me to send her a justification for my decision. Others that have children, are younger than I ask, with less reviews than I state. I come from the perspective of starting on this platform as a sitter so I have a really hard time with sitters who take up the space even though I have my requirements clearly stated.
Can I block someone that keeps reapplying? I asked her to stop and this is the message with the next application: “I do not appreciate your cancellation without retourn
I took time to read your annonce and write apply”
You might want to start your listing with this instead and see whether that cuts down on those who won’t read far:
“Singles & couples only; applicants with at least 5 reviews; open to sitters over 30 years of age; and those who’ve checked flight prices before applying. I am most comfortable with someone with a good command of the English language.”
As it is, this is pretty far down in your listing, which wastes time and probably increases the number of applicants who don’t fit your preferences.
And you don’t owe anyone an explanation for rejecting them. You can just ignore the people who apply even if they clearly don’t read your listing.
For the one that keeps applying after you have said “please stop” I reckon you should report them to support for harrassment as surely it is becoming that. Geez no is no!
I guess I am just partially venting here and I am sure other homeowners who are struggling to find sitters would like to be in this spot. I am also not sure how much difference that would make as they still apply and even state they do not meet my requirements but I will do that next time.
I don’t see that it is a hardship to immediately decline the repetitive applicant without explanation or further communication. It’s a one-click annoyance. Alternately, let the application stand as 1 of 5 until you’ve booked the published dates. If they’re harassing you by continuously applying and then withdrawing without your involvement, raise a Member Dispute with THS and let THS earn the subscription fee.
You can easily respond to the 2-sentence applicant’s request for clarification with a “Just because” reply.
At least your unqualified applicants read your profile enough to know they are unqualified. Applying for something on a wish and a prayer has a better than the 0% success rate of not applying at all.
I’m sure having a desirable sit in a high-demand location in peak season can be a burden. But, as you note, it’s a burden of abundance. I’m not trying to be snide in pointing out that counting blessings is probably a better investment than seeking solace here for your sitter “problem.”
I hear you! When i first got started as a HO and posted a 3 month sit (by the Sea) I had one lady apply, I gave her a polite no and that I am new and want someone with more than ONE review on THS. Then she re-applied for same sit a week later saying “I dont understand why you wont choose me blah blah blah”….. So i REPEATED myself.
I am much better at declining with short but respectful answers now. I wish there were a BLOCK function for people like this. Another time I declined a guy after the video chat as we DID NOT vibe at all, he said things like “I forgot I had this sit coming up” among others….. I gave a respectful reason in the decline. Then he messaged me on WhatsApp where we had the video chat with some nonsense like “I guess I didn’t make the cut”. Jeeeze the ego on some is annoying and draining. Most sitters I decline act like normal humans thankfully. Some I ask to reapply in the future when they have more reviews. Here I am a year later and learned so much! I even upgraded to Dual membership and have my first sit scheduled while having a sitter for my Home! Hang in there and good luck finding the perfect sitter.
Thank you for understanding. I also responded to a couple of them that sent wonderful applications with had few reviews and told them to apply for my sit in the future when they had more experience. Have fun on your sit.
After looking at your pet sit, the person must just really want to visit greece. They must feel you will eventually give in. Off subject, You actually might be the reason I joined TH. Saw a post on women who travel solo over 50+ on facebook probably 3 years ago where she stated she was pet sitting in greece and many women asked how does one get to do that. I signed up immediately.
@mam1996t, kalimera. Really sorry to hear of your understandable frustration.
We support great advice from @Maggie8K - upfront transparency is valuable. On many topics. Indeed we quite often see some form of language in listing - stating preferences/requirements of housesitter location, demographic, reviews or other factors.
Separately, we’d encourage take deep breath; action simple decline (or copy-paste response) to undesired applicants; forget about it; and step outside into the sunshine
Separately, kudos on a fabulous location. We’ve been fortunate to spend several months housesitting (and private) on Crete over the last couple of years. Happy days. Indeed next year we expect to relocate. Excited.
We’ve not yet had opportunity to visit Peleponnese but certainly on our radar. That said, we’re already booked on THS from mid August so your dates don’t work. Otherwise we’d apply! Hope that you find a great housesitter for Kiki, Tali and Alfie.
I think that stating something at the beginning of a listing looks unfriendly and off-putting. There are always people who will not read profiles, but those that do read them will not feel very welcome if the profile starts with everything that is not welcome.
I’d just quickly hit the decline button with no message for annoying applicants.
Agreed, generally. In the case of an overly popular location, it would be a tradeoff between potentially being overwhelmed by unwanted applicants. There also are ways to phrase such info so it would be less off-putting. And frankly, with a location that’s popular, the host probably will get plenty of applicants anyway.
Of course, it’s the host’s call – annoyed and want to test this approach or just keep the status quo?
On the flipside, I think some HOs don’t even know what they’ve written in their announcement. I believe many sitters know this, so they apply for a sit they are apparently not “qualified” for.
For instance, my wife and I applied for a sit that clearly stated, “open to couples”. The narrative went on to say that they usually accept solo sitters because the apartment is small. Given the two statements, it appeared that they would/do entertain couples. Well, the woman gave a curt reply stating that if I read the announcement, I would’ve known she doesn’t accept couples. I politely replied stating I must have misread the announcement, but also provided a pic of the language I referenced. No response.
That is very cool. I love to inspire others to do this. I cannot state strongly enough how TrustedHousesitters has changed my life. Five years ago I thought going to Greece was just a dream and now I am actually living here. Who would’ve thought.
