Hi there,
I have used various sitter websites over the years but this is my first time using this one, and I have a question!
I have 5 applicants and the app has now paused. However, I have messaged 4 of the applicants to see if they would like to have a video call to talk about the sit. The messages I sent are all marked as “read”, but no-one has answered me.
Am I doing something wrong? For example, do I have to decline/accept an applicant in order to move forward with a chat? Or are they simply not answering me?
Thanks for your time!
Cheers,
Steve
Hi @steve_rogan. They simply have not answered you (yet).
Hi Steve,
It’s a bit odd that nobody has responded, seeing as they applied in the first place. No, you don’t need to decline or accept - declining means that you have declined their application and you don’t want them to sit for you, and accepting means you are sending them a sit invite and would like that applicant to be your sitter, so definitely don’t do either until you’ve chatted to/had video calls with them. How long has it been since your message? If less than a day or 2, just give people some more time. If it’s been longer, send a follow up message, and give them another day or so to respond, then decline if still no response and your listing will become active again for others to apply.
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Thanks, Maggie!
So do I simply wait? I guess I am trying to learn what the etiquette is on this website! Do I wait a certain amount of time before declining them?
Thanks for answering!
I’m into the second day waiting. And I have sent a follow-up message to the ones I especially liked.
I am just a bit nervous. I had a sitter booked from another site but she cancelled on me, so i’m worried for my dog. But I don’t want to be impatient either!
Hmm… maybe just give it another 24hrs? Hope it works out for you! 
@steve_rogan Have you suggested a specific time for a video call and given your WhatsApp number ?
I agree with what others have suggested about waiting a bit, messaging again and then declining if you still get ‘crickets’. However, I will add that you have to manually unpause your listing at that point to allow more applications.
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Welcome @steve_rogan
You are doing things right. However if none of the sitters respond in the next few days may I suggest you decline them which will open your listing up again to another 5 sitters who will hopefully respond in a timely manner.
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While you wait a few more hours for the four applicants to reply, you should decline the one applicant you are not interested in, thus freeing up a spot for another person to apply.
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Again, the added step of unpausing will be necessary too.
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Does anyone else feel that this is just not acceptable?? If none of those 5 applicants respond, what is the recourse? Why are they applying to begin with then if they’re not going to respond to the homeowner.? There needs to be accountability for this if its truly happening and not an error with the system/program.
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The accountability is that they will be declined.
(I would decline the unpersonalized applications rather quickly. Those are just low-effort and not serious if they don’t respond.)
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It is possible they applied for several sits and may be considering which they prefer or are “interviewing” with HOs. 
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If we are hot for a sit, we check out messages frequently and reply promptly. If this was me, personally, and initial applicants don’t respond within 24 hours, I would decline all 5 and unpause, opening up my sit for 5 new applicants. The faster you get a good match, the better. As I say, if we really want a sit, we move quickly to secure it.
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Considering various time zones around the world, it seems to me that you should expect responses from the applicants within 24 hours, at the most.
I would decline all applicants who read my note but did not respond promptly. They could just say, “we are available for a video chat on X date or Y date.” That is all. Not much.
Then you can get more applicants. Same treatment on round 2.
No response after applying is absolutely ridiculous. It actually makes me feel really resentful of the 5 application limit
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Great advice, thanks! I thought/presumed that I had to make a decision on all 5 before being able to unpause applications.
I did this last night and then got an application from someone who seems perfect, immediately answered my messages, and with whom I have a video call booked in for later today!
Fingers crossed!
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That is how it should work!! Hurray!
