We have been so far very lucky with the sitters we have chosen and have had some very suitable applicants, however, it is becoming frustrating when potential sitters are having to confirm whether they availablefor the sit despite there being very clear dates posted for the sit.
This is just a plea to all potential sitters to ensure you are available to cover the posted required dates , before sending an application as i am sure that we have lost some potentially excellent sitters, due to either delays in confirming, or confirming/approving with selected sitters then changing their mind re their availability.
Not sure if this is a wider issue, and /or whether THS can make it a criteria that a potential sitter should not submit an application unless 100% confident of being able to fit the dates.
I’m guessing those sitters are waiting on other applications - either juggling multiple consecutive sits that may impact start or end dates by a day or more, or perhaps you aren’t their number one choice for those dates and are waiting to see if they get confirmed for a different one. If it’s the former, just tell the HO what’s going on - I have worked around a sitter’s 2-day overlap before.
I think it’s fair to say “I have other sitters I’m considering, please let me know by x”. Good sitters understand that everyone is considering multiple options.
I can understand your frustration, but please do keep in mind that many sitters are trying to construct trips that ensure they have secured lodging for the entirety of their visit in the area. That can be very complicated, particularly as they are dependent on other hosts making decisions & confirming dates/times. It can be quite a chain of dominoes that they’re trying to line up! Also bear in mind that the sitter may be applying with multiple hosts; after all, there’s no guarantee they’ll get selected to any particular sit they apply to.
And last — these aren’t paid gigs, so an expectation that sitters should be forced to make themselves available when called on doesn’t really fit with this exchange model. If you need a definitive answer & commitment on demand, there are paid services where that level of service can be expected.
Hi @PaulnLou Most sitters are juggling other sits, paid work and/or life in general, and if they’re interested in doing your sit are under pressure to apply before the 5 application spots are taken and they miss out completely. I can understand your frustration, but on the upside at least you are receiving applications, at a time when many are struggling.
I agree with @belluca. Sitters send out many applications for sits. If the HO gets 5 applications right away, they have a 20% chance of getting the sit, so hence sending out many applications. I’m a HO and yes it is frustrating to be waiting, especially after the video call and they agreed to the sit, but don’t accept the confirmation for days. What I’ve learned is if they have to check on something after the call, they don’t want the sit. If they agree to the sit but don’t accept right away even after they said they would, I give them 24 hours now to confirm. If not, then I move on. One time I waited a week for them to confirm and they just gave me the runaround, so I finally canceled the offer.
Recently I applied then deleted our application all within the space of 2 hours…. why?
Well we go to Perth Australia every year and I’ve got a search saved for Dec/Jan. Our son last time we spoke didn’t mention any plans to be away, but plans change. I texted him mentioning the sit location after the Host showed positive interest in us and giving him the dates, he replied 2 hours later with ‘mum we might be spending January in Thailand’ the point is ‘might’ is doing a lot of lifting here. Basically I immediately let the host know, but that in future years we’d be interested.
It’s a big diary juggling act for us all with many moving parts. All we can do is our best.
Thank you and yes, so far have been very lucky with our postings and applications and i think that has been part of the frustration that we may have lost suitable applicants due to the delays in confirming , especially if the initial chosen applicant then declines
You might want to check availability before you make a choice. I think that’s the frustrating part, when only one party is committed. I never commit if I am not 100% sure (I mean as much as I can be) and in over 40 sits, neither me nor the hosts have failed.
If, at the end of a video chat, owners say they are chatting with several people and they will get back I say that is OK but I can’t commit until they do too and, if someone else offers a desirable sit in the meantime, I will take it. I do the same when the date they propose for a chat is too far.
When applying for a sit, I ensure that I can meet the needs, requests, etc. presented by the HO’s. If my schedule is iffy during the dates listed, I don’t apply.
It seems disrespectful to apply when one knows that one can’t commit to the conditions. Sure, some conditions and requests can be vague; but a starting date is clear and solid (most of the time…there is the occasional flexible sit, of course).
When we were sitting full time, we’d often look for ‘anchor sits’ in a certain area, then attempt to line up other sits within a doable driving distance of each other. It often meant we’d apply, then have to ensure we could join up all the links of the chain.
HOs are at liberty to decline applications if sitters can’t confirm as quickly as they’d like, or if they get a better offer in the meantime.
On the other hand, if this was a rule, you’d likely miss out on some excellent sitters who are just having to finalise their other plans to be reasonably in your area. It’s not always about single / isolated sits, for sitters.
It does seem that, as seasoned travelers, which coincidentally adds to our ever increasing age, HaHa, we are becoming more and more concerned that our “chosen” Sitter accually shows up on time, or even at all. We do understand that ((things)) happen, but it does seem that it is becoming more and more frequent. Perhaps THS should add this to its list of HO concerns, and address that as well.
(Post edited by the Forum team ((indicates where word replaced)) to comply with the Community Guidelines).
I am wondering what a reasonable wait is for a confirmation. I offered a sit to someone who has not replied 36 hours later … is it reasonable to expect something by then? I’m a little worried about the lag in communications. This sitter does have some 4-star gradings for communication. Is this a red flag?
@PaulnLou, welcome back to THS Forum.
We recognize your frustration.
But offer a contrary perspective as we suspect that your suggestion would simply not work.
As experienced sitters, we observe that many (most?) listings state dates that are not firm.
By way of illustration, if a pet parent listing states listing 10Jan-20Jan then this might mean that pet parent leaves on 10 Jan and returns on 20 Jan AND that pet parent seeks that housesitter arrive on 10 Jan and leave on 20 Jan AND that travel time logistics make this credibly possible. That’s a lot of conditions.
Some pet parents have flexible departure and return dates.
Some pet parents request, for whatever reason, that housesitter arrive a day earlier and/or leave a day late from housesit dates
some pet parents prioritize attracting ideal applicant and openly offer that, if helps applicant, then they are welcome to arrive multiple days early and/or leave multiple days late
Some pet parents with overlap periods include or exclude overlap dates in their listing
THS does not set hard and fast THS policies in regards dates. Pet parents appear to use dates in different ways, and have differing flexibility. Not every pet parent uses THS listing dates as you do.
