Our listing is about three weeks old for a 2 week sit beginning mid-May. It has generated interest from several applicants. We interviewed the first but didn’t really connect, so we took a pass. We interviewed the second, she was honest and said she was interviewing with another pet parent. It took four days before she let us know she accepted the other sit. Applicant three just didn’t read or respond to our interview request for almost two weeks. When she finally responded she said she had been sick. She offered two dates when she was available to meet online. We responded with the time that worked for us. Crickets. The meeting time passed without our message even being read. The next two applicants took several days to withdraw when we offered on line meetings. Now, another applicant seems to be stringing us along. We requested an online meeting and again, crickets. Clearly it is a sitter’s market? If they apply for a sit, why won’t they make a timely response? Are other pet parents experiencing similar circumstances? Our first experience using TH a year and a half ago was excellent. Now? Not so much.
As time passes the sitters who initially applied likely will have applied for and been accepted for other sits . Once they have a sit confirmed they are inlikely to be logging into THS on a daily basis . So they are probably NOT ghosting you - just unaware that you have sent them a message.
I suggest that you decline all unsuitable sitters and unpause the listing . If you make some changes it will appear as New and back to the top of the list . Then reply promptly ( within 24 hours max ) to all applicants .
I also note that your listings states that your dogs can only be left alone for 2 hours - is this correct ? It is quite restrictive and will naturally reduce the pool of sitters
Your listing looks amazing! There are some preset things that get past HOs now so make sure tese are what you really want as your settings:
- Pets cant be left for more than 2 hours (very inflexible for sitters)
- No Guests Allowed
- Sitters can bring Pets
Perhaps delete your dates, tweak the Pets Can Be Left Alone and No Guests Allowed presets if you can/want to and re-post. your Sit will show up as new and fresh for new eyes. Act swiftly and make sure you are declining those who dont meet your needs and dont let your sit go to pause (or get stuck in pause). Meanwhile start working on setting the video meet and greets asap for those appealing. Keep reviewing applicants and if you get to pause with 5 suitable sitters, great, work through them all as quick as you (and they) can and hopefully the right one will reveal themselves. Good luck!!
Beautiful home and cute pups!
I agree with others that the 2 hours is restrictive, especially if the closest Trader Joe’s is a half hour away (a half hour there and a half hour back leaves an hour to shop - hopefully no long check out lines!).
Otherwise I think everyone is struggling with sits recently because 1) the situation at the US borders makes international sitters not interested in US sits, 2) Gas prices have surged so US sitters may not want to drive 3) airfare will surge too so US sitters may not even want to fly there and 4) the new fees have many sitters dropping off the platform.
It’s not great, but it is what it is. I would make sure you have a back up plan (eg find a paid sitter, or if the dogs can stay with friends or family). It may even be worth driving to family with the dogs and then flying out from that city to where you are going.
Edited to add 5) many US companies have been reducing staff, resulting in layoffs. And fewer companies are allowing remote work now. This combines to make sitters less able to take sits.