Suddenly, applications seem different. Is it just us?

Owner Questions, Advice & Chat
1

Over past 3 years we’ve had wonderful experiences with THS, and overtime as our 5 star reviews accumulated, the process has become easier!

Suddenly, we’ve gotten four applications that feel like the people have discovered this site to be a free Airbnb option and put zero effort into creating a sitter’s profile, even skipping the intro email to tell a little about more about themselves.

I’m not over exaggerating! One has kids but no mention. Another is looking for a place to bring their parents visiting from China. Another is on the road and would be coming with friends, but no mention of how many or how long they’ve known them.

They have no reviews/no references. No background of work experience. One provided link to Airbnb which mentioned her well behaved children.

For the first two, I replied with coaching on creating a profile, getting personal references, and writing an intro letter. But now I’m writing short sentence exploring that homeowners are trusting complete strangers in our homes and with our pets, and their application should make us want to consider them enough for a zoom call.

This is baffling to say the least! Are we just “lucky”, or are others noticing a change in applicants?

2

Unfortunately, @AmyNJoe , the way THS has been marketing itself over the past 12 months or so, is having an effect on the type of people it is attracting.

3

It’s common for companies’ membership base to evolve as the business grows, intentionally or not.

In THS’s case, there are only so many people in the world who want to take care of pets and homes during their travels and are willing to put them first.

THS should be more of niche business, if the pets’ best interests are the priority. Unfortunately, when a private equity firm takes over, that’s not going to be the case. They want to make major profits.

4

Private equity firm? Change in marketing? I have been blissfully unaware of the changes. This could be the reason…

Bummer!!!

We have found THS was the exception to the rule and it really was so good and true; maybe the universe couldn’t stand that.

We still received two great applications. Here’s hoping the model doesn’t change too much, and it’s just going to take more sloshing through the weeds. It may mean a harder time for new-to-THS sitters as it’s already harder for those without reviews!

sigh:(

5

My recommendation is to much as much effort into your response as they put into their application - it is very kind that you coached those two on how to improve their profiles, but honestly, who signs up for something without making any effort to learn how it works? I’d just decline quickly to free up an application spot for someone else. Those newbies will either figure it out, or leave the site.

6

Yes, a U.K. private equity firm took over when they put $100 million into THS. Some of the same folks still work there, but the PE firm essentially calls the shots and/or delegates.

It’s not unusual for (co)founders to want to cash out a bunch or all of their equity once a business gets so big. Most people don’t start companies just out of the goodness of their hearts.

No judgment from me if they choose to cash out. That’s their prerogative. Standing up any business takes blood, sweat and tears, especially if they reach a meaningful size. And the reality is, any private equity firm won’t put pets first. PE firms’ priority typically is to maximize profits and, whatever the business is, it’s a means to that end.

That differs from mom and pop businesses. If successful up to a certain size, they tend to be known as “lifestyle businesses.” That’s because the owners run it to serve their personal interests, beliefs and / or lifestyle, like if they choose to work unusual hours, to sacrifice significant profits for their passions or preferences, etc.

If anyone really dislikes THS’s approach, they could always start their own business and call the shots, perhaps sacrifice significant profits in favor of pets’ wellbeing. THS doesn’t have meaningful competition. All the other orgs doing something similar are half-hearted mom and pop outfits, lifestyle businesses or such. But those types of outfits can become only so good, because they usually lack the revenue to invest much in improvements. And they certainly can’t afford to hire the best in product, engineering and such.

7

Absolutely. But that wasn’t my topic:)

9

@Agree! I guess the first two took me by surprise. But in retrospect, if they don’t make the effort to research what makes an attractive profile (and I don’t mean the sexy photo one of them is using), then why would I think they’d make the effort to take good care of my house and pet?!?!

10

Agree… but my issue wasn’t about the corporate structure:)

11

You asked if anyone noticed changes in its membership. Well, that’s what happened. Changes like this didn’t happen in isolation or for no reason.

12

The current advertising is attracting the wrong people on both sides.

The ads targeted at sitters emphasise ‘travel the world for free’. The ads targeted at homeowners emphasise ‘take your pick of sitters desperate to work for you for nothing’. Both lose sight of the mutual exchange of benefits.

I would think there’s a lot of disappointed new members wondering why they can’t get sits or sitters. I’m getting invitations from new HOs who seem to think they can just book me.

13

Yep as a sitter I gave what I thought was useful private feedback to a HO…. but that blew up in my face as they became very defensive claiming to get dozens of applications…. I doubt the quality however.

14

@AmyNJoe In addition to the points already mentioned, the change in your pool of sitters can also be related to non-US travellers who are avoiding travelling to the US. If you use the search feature here (top right spy-glass) you’ll see posts on border control issues and political unpredictabilities. As a Canadian with 10 years of sitter experience with TrustedHousesitters, I am sad to say that this is my first year where I will not travel into the US for a sit - no exception - and I live at the border. I am not alone in this regard. I am a quality sitter (based on my reviews :slightly_smiling_face:) who likely would have previously taken an interest in your listing.

15

Yeah, I get it. One of my old school friends living in the UK chose to miss a class reunion because of the intimidation and random search and delays for people trying to enter the USA -even legally!

However, while the border situation is surely dissuading international sitters from applying, we’ve had very few international sitters (even though we’re a border state with Canada). And anyway, the border drama/trauma shouldn’t affect why four of this week’s applications were so weak.

(What I haven’t heard from other homeowners is whether they’ve experience d the same thing, or whether four in two days is a coincidental anomaly. We did get two other great applicants- and have locked up the sit:)

Love THS, and just hope it survives and thrives!

(Edited to meet posting guidelines)

16

True, but I’m still wondering if our experience with applicants not including a profile, references, or an intro letter is unusual or if others are getting the same thing. Four over two days seemed weird to us! Luckily those four were followed by two great applicants!!!

17

In these times some hosts in some areas might have their 5 spots more filled up with more inexperienced members.

It is nevertheless worth noting that THS encourages to use reviews on AirBnB, so to be fair the sitter only followed THS advice. Linking to AirBnB reviews doesn’t mean that one regard THS as an AirBnB.

I don’t agree that it is a problem that sitters would like to share a sit with a relative or friend, I occasionally bring others in my sit party, I mention it in application/ listing and then we will find a good match. That might not be you which is fine, but I’m a good sitter with or without, and often you will get better pet care when I’m not solo. Seems like your applicants are transparent, which is great.

I think it is a good idea to put in an effort in listing. We do however have different styles in how detailed or long it is. Some people are also more experienced in using text as a tool and some have more competence in writing. Many having English is a second (or third) language will ofc also have an influence. I had rather short applications and made them more detailed and longer after reading on forum here. I actually got a decrease in sits I got. I went back to my more summarized applications, and got more sits again. This could be caused by the hosts and sits I apply for, and might differ for others. But as this is all about good matches, maybe we get more good matches being transparent also of our styles.

When it comes to AI-tools, they are useful. The proof in the pudding might be how clever one is using them. But again - are we looking for a match based on competence in AI or in love for pets? Maybe there is a balance there, somewhere. Sometimes the non-skilled writers can be the best pet carers, also. So seek the good matches.

18

Well, I may be a reckless Brit, but I would happily travel to the US for a sit (I wish!) and that will remain the case until our Government advises us not to, or until I personally hear or read about a UK citizen having problems at the border. It seems to me there’s a lot of hysteria around this topic (not meaning you personally!) and that most of the people saying “I refuse to go to the US!” are actually saying —- … Which is a valid view, but a rather daft reason not to travel if you would otherwise, IMO.

I really don’t think the OP’s problem has anything to do with this. I suspect it’s rather more due, as others have said, to a shift in control and priorities at THS Towers. And, perhaps, changing methods of, and attitudes to, communication.

(Political comment redacted)

19

Unfortunately it’s got nothing to do with our government as to whether or not we can enter another country legally or illegally, it’s the legislation of the country that we are entering.
It’s not just the US where it is a problem, it is any country in which we would require a work visa. And it’s not just getting into a country that you can run into problems it is also getting out again. I witnessed it at Belfast International Airport, when I saw a young man being questioned and apprehended. He had been in the UK for six months and he did have a visa that permitted him to be in the UK for six months but as he tried to enter the departure area he was stopped and questioned about how he had supported himself while in the country. He was asked to take a seat and I assume he was waiting for border control to arrive to question him further. I do not know what happened as I have to go to catch my plane.
Also, a relative of mine who was going on holidays to an EU country with his family was questioned in some depth about where they were staying, how much money they had to support themselves and did they have a flight booked to leave again.
Border controls in many places are tightening up.

20

@snowbird, likewise. Thankfully world’s a big place. :canada:

21

Lots of your points sound good. I don’t think most apply to what was written, what wasn’t written, or the Airbnb link

BUT: more than anything, I was asking if others were seeing the same applications or if this was new. It seems most replies are defending or explaining why we may have gotten this. And now, the thread has veered off to border issues and politics.

I wasn’t questioning her use of off-site reviews and profiles (like linked in or Airbnb). I simply stated it felt like she was using ours sit as a free Airbnb without reciprocation. I find those links can be useful, especially for new sitters who don’t have THS reviews, who also typically include personal references from employers, landlords, long-time friends.. It was the fact that the review mentioned her young kids and when I went back to the profile noticed she was a mom and yet she didn’t mention kids in her bio or intro letter.

My comment about these applicants using THS as free lodging (one saying her parents were visiting from abroad and her place with roommates is too small so she’s looking for a place big enough for a family vacation) was that no attempt was made to say what we get in return Only what they were wanting.

I wrote to two suggesting updates to their profiles, and specifically asked for clarification on who/how many (kids or friends) would be staying and then got no replies. After 24 hours I declined.

Typically those traveling with a friend, kids, or their pets, even as a couple, WRITE it in the intro letter giving us a heads up in case it would cause an issue. We’ve hosted families with children, and welcomed friends.

I totally want our sitters to feel like guests! We want sitters to enjoy their time in our place, community. I try to make it like a welcoming airbnb, leaving brochures, hiking &restaurant recommendations, and special treats, gifts, bathroom supplies, etc! We explain our cat will adjust to their routines not the other way around, etc!we host our sitters for dinner night before (and have offered our place if they need the bridge to their next sit.) I just expect the same attention to them being a great guest, and what I heard from these four applicants had nothing to do with that!

I won’t belabor this.