So you are travelling together. Then I guess that you have two phones, that is the low-tech solution that I would use.
1 Like
@Timshazz When I find myself spotting an interesting listing which already has 4 applicants I immediately click ‘Apply’ to grab the space. Then if I’m on the laptop I just open another window by pressing ‘view listing’ so I can have a proper look at everything. If I’m on the app I click on ‘Apply’ and then grab my husbands phone or go on my laptop to have a proper look whilst still keeping my space! If after a proper read its not for us I just unclick ‘Apply’- nothing lost. It can get pretty intense having to work so fast but it has helped us get at least 2/3 sits we’d have missed out on if we’d studied the listing properly BEFORE clicking ‘Apply’ only to find its already paused!
These days if you really want (at least the opportunity) to apply for a sit-you have to be trigger happy- its each man for himself!!
2 Likes
Hi All,
I posted earlier about my struggle with finding a sitter and the sheer number of unqualified applicants. Well, I did find a sitter 10 days ago who just bailed on me today. She literally said this - “I am confirming our sit scheduled to start in 22 days, but I no longer need to travel to California. I didn’t want to mention anything to you, but a voice inside me was growing louder by the minute and I wanted to give you the chance to find another sitter. I always follow up on my commitments, but my first choice would be for you to find another sitter.”
This sounds like a bunch of psycho babble speech trying to sandwich bad news with this word vomit. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.
What an absolute load of tosh as we would say! Please report her to support for the very unextraordinary reasons for cancelling! Hope you find someone way better @Soni1
Yes. Exactly. I’m of the firm opinion that “word vomit” (I love that BTW, not heard it before) is becoming far too prevalent in many fora.
I like ‘verbal diarrhoea’ well, I don’t actually, but a great phrase! Is this on topic? No, but I need the words, so verbal diarrhoea it is!
I would choose to read the message according to what it literally says.
She does not need to travel to California anymore. And she would prefer if you could find someone else. But she would honor the commitment.
No, she has not bailed on you, I think. It is the kind of thing I might write if my circumstances changed.
Three weeks is a bit short notice, but I see many listings with dates coming up that soon. You could first ask a declined applicant, if they are still interested. That is how I got a sit once.
4 Likes
I agree with the previous post. Say that you’re delighted to read that she always honours her commitments, you prefer not to look for a new sitter and you look forward to her arrival!
1 Like
@Soni1
I interpret that she wanted you to let her off the hook but will begrudgingly sit for you, if you insist. No Thanks.
TMI from her . She should have just said she was canceling.
I think it’s manipulative. Do I trust her to show up if I insist that she honor her commitment? It’s very unlikely that someone who doesn’t want to show up would do so. “I really don’t want to come, but if you insist then I’ll begrudgingly show up.” As a HO with a dog, I have no desire to continue to insist that she sit for me when she has expressed a clear interested in not doing so. I think the adult thing to do is make a decision and stick to it.
2 Likes
Different interpretations, different communication styles. In the end we all need to decide for ourselves what we find acceptable.
There seem to be a good number of people on the forum who feel that only one way of communication or one sort of behaviour is acceptable. If I came across such a person as a potential pet sitting host, I’d politely say no and move on.
@sonil I agree with you. If I was a host I would no longer want that sitter. She has lost interest & I’d only want someone enthusuastic to care for my dog & home. Don’t give her anymore attention- cancel her immediately and open your listing to new applicants. Good luck!
1 Like
If I got such a message, I would understand and try to find a good solution. If there were previous applicants that I had considered, I would contact those immediately and ask if they were still interested. (Has happened to me twice, once I had something else already, once I accepted immediately, a quick solution for the HO.)
If not, then I would relist and wait a day or so for applications.
And I would let her know about what I did to solve it. If I could not find anybody, I would tell her that. I think she sounds like she would come even if you would not really insist.
1 Like
@Soni1 I understand that you don’t want that sitter any more. But I think if you’re stuck, it would be one option to interpret her comment literally and remind her to honour your commitment. Up to you though, I hope you get sorted.
I have canceled and re-listed my ad. I don’t trust her and it’s not a good idea to leave your home and pet with someone I consider untrustworthy.
1 Like
So that was two hours ago now?
I had favourited it (in a previous discussion about Menlo Park) but I have not gotten a notification in my iPhone.
It also does not say a number of applicants. Not even “0 applicants”.
There seems to be something wrong with the system.
Screenshot from the web interface:
I wouldn’t trust her either. I’m glad you cancelled, I would have done the same. Hope you find someone reliable and trustworthy soon!
1 Like
@Soni1 you received a very passive aggressive message from your sitter. Huge red flag for me. Cut her loose and find someone else as they sound like hard work.
I’m only talking because I’ve got a mouth but I seem to recall that if one has applied for a sit, then you don’t see the applicant numbers if you look at the listing (on the Website) @pietkuip
Anyone know that I’m wrong (or even better, right)?
@pietkuip That looks like when someone sends you a listing invite and you’re not logged. A friend sent me on she applied for yesterday as she was excited. But have no idea really.