Your questions are all valid @AmyNJoe & like some of the others on here, the most likely cause (IMHO) is misleading marketing. THS keep on promoting the “travel the world for free” message which doesn’t help attract the right kind of animal loving sitter. It does sound as if yours were a particularly colourful bunch of applicants. You need some more HOs on here to answer. #balancedviewpointneeded
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The advertising is meant to attract the greatest number of members possible, because any outfit that invests $100 million wants to recoup its money, plus make a bunch more.
In reality, there are relatively few people who want to put someone else’s pets first while traveling. So scaling a business as THS is trying to do runs counter to pets’ best interests — there aren’t likely enough good, much less great, potential sitters around.
Just consider as members ourselves, how many people in your own circles would be what you’d consider good sitters. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend most people I know, not because they’re not nice people, but because it takes a special kind of person to put someone else’s pets first (as well as take good care of their homes) when traveling.
And frankly, I don’t know why anyone — potential sitter or host — would be foolhardy enough to sign up without thoroughly reading through all fine print. Just relying on marketing or advertising seems crazy to me, especially if leaving pets and homes to a stranger’s voluntary care.
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Do you know when the sale happened?
The article is dated 20 December 2023. I’m not sure why it’s being posted now, except maybe it takes a while for changes to be implemented with new corporate equity ownership
I don’t see in this article promoting the as a great way to travel the world and not pay for lodging. It seems to (naive?) me that they are describing exactly how I see it: Sitters explore the world while staying in real homes and enjoying the companionship of pets. Meanwhile, owners enjoy freedom and peace of mind by prioritising [sic USA] their pets’ well-being at home with a trusted companion.
That was a press release. And yes, it usually takes a while for changes to unfold. The marketing that many members are complaining about has been appearing manifold since the private equity firm took over.
I have had a few recent applicants that left a lot to be desired. One of them I posted about because her profile was so ludicrous, it didn’t seem real. (Orders about what she would and wouldn’t need, some serious crazy talk about politics, removing bad juju from the home, etc) And the last one I declined has only a few sentences in her profile and her email only told me she’d like to visit my town - no mention of our pets, why she wants to house sit, etc.
I’m hoping these were just random as we’ve had 8 amazing sitters since joining two years ago - one of which is coming back for two more sits this fall.
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Exactly! This is what I was wondering when I posted asking if others were getting weird applications.
Though I didn’t mention in OP, the one and only profile photo of one of the four “odd”applications, looked like she was posting to a “dating” site.
I’m sure they can’t all be gems (just like house sits can’t all be good ones either) but it’s not awesome. I really don’t like to decline people either - I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But having total strangers in your home and with your beloved pets is no joke!
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Maybe you are doing them a favor by declining them. They need to learn from their failures! Maybe they will get a clue and improve their profiles and application process.
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I would also find that strange. When I signed up as a HO and a Sitter, I was required to post detailed pictures, descriptions, and referrals before my profile on either side was approved. It sounds like they’re not being as stringent. I was annoyed at first because I admittingly signed up in a hurry, but after using THS a few times, I understand and appreciate the thoroughness. I hope the standards go back up, based on responses to applications such as those.
Thanks for posting!
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There is an ongoing system glitch error with messages sent not appearing ? Could this be a possible explanation for 4 applications without a profile or message ?
Forum Post Link - disappearing communication
(Edited link so it reads correctly)
Messages might disappear in a glitch, but not select parts of their profile. And when I mentioned it, no concern, no fixing it?
We got experienced sitters during that time with complete everything.
So, is it possible? Sure! Do I think a technical glitch accounts for the lackadaisical application, vague profile, and sexy photo rather than new applicants not really getting the trusted housesitter part of this opportunity? Not really.
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PS the link doesn’t work for me: “access denied”.
Hello ! I joined THS in 2012, it was only about 2 years old. It was then very different. As a HO I used to enjoy posting my listing, meeting new people, making new friends (we are still in touch with our very first HS). Now I get very nervous about finding a HS for our fairly easy sit. The “applications” are often short, vague (“I’d love to spend time with your little ones, just check my profile”) or even irrelevant. One application was “What about me ?” That was all. Some people seem to think they are just networking, projecting some unrealistic image of themselves or booking a free holiday. From Maggie’s informative posts, I now understand better. All I hope is that maybe, some new company will emerge, with a more sensitive approach.
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Exactly!!!
Hello.
I’m new to the site and newer to the forum.
My first venture into using pet sitting apps was a different one where you agree a fee. There is no guarantee that the people on there are any good either. That’s why I ended up on this app. I had a great experience with my first pet sitter in June and as an experienced sitter, she eased me into the whole process. However for my 2nd listing later in the year, I agreed to a couple to come who are travelling the world; they seemed engaged initially but now appear to have ghosted me and I have no idea how I am supposed to cancel them if it’s supposed to be mutual. I’m glad I read your thread the replies. Now I just have to work out how to re list!
Sarah
Unfortunately, that’s been the case in the last three years as more people join this service.
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Hi Wendy.
Thanks for the reply.
So can I just cancel them considering they have ghosted me? It doesn’t seem like I can start a member dispute as the sit isn’t until October. I mean there could be a genuine reason but either way I need a sitter who will turn up!
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I’m sorry my reply was to the consensus of the quality of the new people joining THS and using it as a free Airbnb.
To answer your question, I think nit depends on how your last communication with them ended or the circumstances. Did they say they’d be in touch closer to the date, are they currently doing a sit that might have poor internet reception? did they leave it open to questions between now and October?
If it’s the latter, I would cancel if I didn’t hear back from someone within 48 hrs (72 if they’re in a significant time difference). I understand life happens, but in my personal experience, the last time I gave someone like that the benefit of the doubt, my dog was neglected for 12 hours without food and potty breaks. However, if they’re traveling the world they might have a valid reason for not getting back to you or might be dealing with a situation.
The best experiences I’ve had normally respond within a couple of days, sometimes within 24 hours no matter when the sit is happening. Communication that feels comfortable to you shouldn’t be an issue. I’d say follow your own instinct with this one.
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