So, back in late March, I applied for a sitting job from 5/8-5/10. As previously done, I put my cell number in the application so they can contact me directly if they decide they might want to use me and have questions
This person did text me on my cell about this may 8th sit indicating they wanted me to sit for them. However, they never moved forward with the confirmation IN THE APP.
Previous sits I have done (only 2 for now) have confirmed through the app. I have sent several text reminders to this person that if they truly want me, they need to confirm me through the app. No reply.
Therefore, I am assuming I am under no real obligation to help them out, correct? The sit is not far from my current home so I won’t be traveling Long distance and if I don’t do it, it’s really no sweat off my back.
I have been simply doing some local ones first to try it out and get some good ratings built up first before I start going for others and farther away.
I also sent another message through the app and still no reply. I ain’t know their personal situation either so maybe something happened to prevent them from contacting me back. I’m thinking this will fall through at some point, but any other suggestions?
Have you tried logging into the site without going through the app, just in case different? I have never used the app, as am quite happy continuing to apply and confirm sits through the site on my laptop. It is the way I always did it, prior to app being brought out. The non app way has always worked for me.
For such a short sit it wouldn’t surprise me if they find other solutions with family/ friends if you hear nothing back.
Since you seem to have a phone number I interpret it as you have contacted them both via platform and phone.
I think it is a red flag disregarding you like this, even if they should later want you to sit. On that note - it is better not to use terms like «job» («interview» and such) as it can give some fellow members a wrong impression. We are equal partners and an exchange should be on equal terms and mutually beneficial. Seems like they haven’t grasped the equal exchange.
I don’t think it matters if it’s the app or the site cause they seem synced up the same to me. I can’t imagine one having certain things that the other can’t handle. That would be a nightmare
As stated, i am thinking at this point I probably need to cancel the application and move on
Yeah, best move on. If their communication is so bad then it doesn’t bode well for the future. I had a sit to which I was invited after a previous sit fell through because the pet had died. I had some misgivings in respect of the second sit but said that I would do it. They didn’t confirm the sit for two days and I checked the listing and to my shock it was stated as ‘reviewing applications’. I withdrew saying that after waiting for the sit to be confirmed I had had second thoughts. I didn’t even get a reply, which told me everything I needed to know.
Perhaps you could send them a message through the App, saying politely, as I haven’t heard back from you, I have assumed that you no longer wish to have my help for this sit. Then cancel the sit.
My current sit said confirmed on my end, but reviewing applications on the website. I contacted the HO, who sent me a screenshot of her account saying it was confirmed. Its only just gone to , no longer need a sitter. It could be a glitch on the website.
Correct. Until an HO has officially confirmed in the app, it is not an obligation.
Sometimes, life happens, and an HO can be slow to respond or formalize confirmation in the app. In my experience, it’s a simple matter of things getting busy for them, but when I politely remind them, they’ve been pretty quick to take care of it. Additionally, not everyone is very active in THS’s app/messaging system, so I understand that sometimes it can take a day or so to get around to it, which also doesn’t bother me.
But since you’ve been contacting this owner multiple times via their phone number with no response at all, I would write this sit off as not-gonna-happen.
What you do now is up to you. In similar-ish situations, I’ve personally left my application open with noncommittal HOs while I continue to apply to other opportunities. If I move forward with another opportunity, that’s when I withdraw my app with the noncommittal HO. While leaving the application open, I’m not expecting the noncomm. HO to move forward… but if they do reach out again later, the channel is still open to move forward.
[[random tangent…]]
A lot of Sitter-HO interactions come down to personality preferences. Some HOs (like this one, from the sound of it) are actually unreliable and should be avoided. But many HOs are simply busy and slower to respond, esp. in the early days. In my experience, they become much more responsive in the days leading up to and during the sit. Some sitters are unwilling to deal with that variation, which is fine. Personally, it doesn’t bother me. (That’s one of the beauties of THS – you can sit for the HOs whose style is a personality fit for you while skipping over / withdrawing from those you don’t want to deal with.)
…But as far as obligation, I’d say the lack of a formal offer + long-term unresponsiveness releases you from your verbal commitment.
Remember homeowners don’t do this as much as sitters. They may not realize you aren’t “confirmed.” If you don’t want the sit, by all means feel free to withdraw, but write them again so that they see that’s what happened and by all means please do them the kindness of contacting THS so that THS can be sure to reach out to them at their real email and let them know what is happenening.
I recently got confirmed for a sit without a video – which is not something I usually allow to happen, but it seemed fine only then I realized I didn’t have an outside contact for them, and they’d actually offered me a second sit which they didn’t confirm. I followed breadcrumbs and found them online but felt like it would be stalkerish to contact that way. Finally, I found asking for the Welcome Guide got them a message from THS that sent them back to the inbox. They were very apologetic. You don’t have that option without a confirmed sit. So letting THS know will help save them from themselves. They probably were not messing with you.
Hi Miranch. sometimes there can be slight differences to the App and website, as has been pointed out a few times on the forums. But it does rather sound like they are messing you about. Maybe have certain preferences, younger or older, single or couples etc. I would just continue looking and apply elsewhere. Owners are definitely getting more lapse. I have never withdrawn an application before yet have done it with a couple this year. One that sounded great and had nil applicants, I would have definitely have accepted if offered but in almost a week did not even receive an acknowledgement to my application. I had an idle browse and found another great sit for same dates. Applied and was confirmed within an hour. That’s how I like it. : -) And they praised me on my excellent reviews. I then withdrew from the other with a polite message and mentioned, as had not heard anything I had only just applied for another and all confirmed. I was apologetic, even though no need and said I hope they find a great sitter etc. I immediately received a very sarcastic uncalled for comment back. I thought if that is their attitude I am glad I wasn’t offered it. An immediate resonse when I withdraw but not when I applied? There lose.
OK, I actually did finally get a reply. They seemed apologetic and were still interested in me sitting for them (next week). After sending me a text directly, they did “confirm” me through the app. I now need to confirm on my end, but have asked a few more questions regard times for start/ending the sit related to my remote work schedule. Just waiting to hear back. Hopefully won’t be too long this time
Its only a 2 day sit (downtown ATL) so if all goes well with my questions, I will probably confirm. Thanks for the replies and advice. Was helpful
