As both a HO and a sitter, I will admit that sometimes I am juggling a lot and it may take a day or two to be able to read my emails/get on the app to review applications. This is a function of working long hours, being a mom, school volunteer, family nurse, etc. Some days are unexpectedly busy – so I assume it is true of others who may not reply right away. I agree that if you post - you should watch – but somedays I just plain forget with all the other details I’m juggling. All to say - assume the best of people if you can. People are (usually) doing the best they can and it is a sign they may really NEED that vacation they are planning! lol
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I think for both sides it’s essential to build trust in timely communications right from the start, slow replies are an early red flag for me anyway…. It’s worth considering the message it sends to a potential sitter who is equally juggling multiple tasks.
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Exactly how I am. I expect a host to at least acknowledge my application with, “thank you for applying for the sit, we will be reviewing all applications within four days or whatever it is.” If they don’t offer the sit right away or at least acknowledge my thought out cover letter, they are not for me. I don’t want to be treated like unpaid staff.
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Normally I will withdraw my interest after about 3 to 4 days if I haven’t heard back, and it has been read.
However, there is one just now where the woman had said I will look at your profile and get back to you, but 10 days later she hadnt.
that would normally be a huge red flag to me.
I ignored it as she has a breed of dog that I really really want to sit for, (but I haven’t told her this) and I didn’t want to lose out. It is also local, within 40 miles, so suits me well.
She got back to me in last few days and has picked me as her sitter. So in this case softly softly catchee monkey, but it is not my preferred way.
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