Greetings! New to THS so please bear with me! This might be a silly question, but what platform is typically used for the video call/chat?? FaceTime? Zoom? Not so tech savvy HO!!
1 Like
FaceTime is only for Apple users, so you might be better off with Zoom or WhatsApp, because those work for more people.
Zoom has a 40-minute limit on a video call, unless you have a paid account.
2 Likes
Welcome @Mehlk
WhatsApp is a popular choice . It’s easy to use ( no passwords or logins required ) . You simply exchange mobile phone numbers and then you can have a video call .
Then , if the sit is confirmed , WhatsApp messages are a good way to keep in touch and for a sitter to share photos and updates during the sit .
WhatsApp does not require either party to have mobile data , (just an internet connection ) which is useful for international sits .
11 Likes
Thanks so much! What’s app sounds great!
1 Like
We always try to use whatsapp if we can, because then it becomes the normal way of communicating thereafter when sending pet images etc.
4 Likes
We always use WhatsApp for the video call and all communication before and during the sit. WhatsApp is super easy to use and as you need to exchange phone numbers to use it means you always have a method of contact (direct call or WhatsApp) other than just the THS app.
4 Likes
Hi Mehik
As a sitter I usually use whatsapp. If the sit agreed I then have a way to contact the HO pre sit other than THS that is more visible and a way to easily share photos during a sit.
3 Likes
We also use WhatsApp for all video chats and subsequent calls and messages during a confirmed sit.
3 Likes
@Mehlk, welcome to THS Forum.
We have used WhatsApp for most of our video chats (and for message communications during housesit)
Some via FaceTime but only Apple users in North America. WhatsApp seems much more popular than Facetime in UK/Europe.
Some via other tools, e.g. Zoom, but not many.
2 Likes
We actually mention in our application that we’d like to communicate further via WhatsApp video call, and have only ever encountered one HO who did not agree to use it.
2 Likes
We always use Zoom. Never have used WhatsApp.
They’re both easy to use. When I sit in the U.S., the hosts often use Zoom for videoing and texts for messaging later, because many phone plans in the U.S. have unlimited texting.
To me, it doesn’t matter, because I use all major platforms / apps for communicating. I mention that when applying, because it can offer hosts flexibility and peace of mind.
For instance, I did a sit in London and the hosts and I originally used WhatsApp during our video chat and at the start of the sit. While they were traveling in some parts of rural Italy, WhatsApp stopped working (don’t know why, because there also was road construction going on by their home). We seamlessly switched to Signal, which we both use as well.
1 Like
That’s right. It’s good to be familiar with both platforms, Zoom and WhatsApp.
We’re U.S.-based, so Zoom is great for the video chat. We use it as HOs and as sitters.
Then, once sits/sitters are confirmed, we use standard texting for daily updates and photo sharing.
If we traveled internationally, or used sitters from outside the U.S., we’d probably use WA, too.
3 Likes
For many of us who use video chatting regularly for work, we have certain platforms connected to our calendars. And because WhatsApp was slower to reach enterprise security levels and integration, it had trouble signing up companies. I don’t think I’ve ever used it for anything work-related.
For me, when I do the inviting for a video chat, I usually use my default work platform, simply because it’s attached to my calendar. I can block time and it auto-generates a video link.
When someone else does the inviting, I just go with whatever they use. That’s typically the case with sitting.
2 Likes
i have rarely had a video chat most have just been agreed via messaging. I did once a few years back have a call on Skype. Ocassionally i have had a WhatsApp call and only a couple of times a WhatsApp video call. I have so far done over 50 sits, with some being repeats.
1 Like