u/SEAtoPAR

Hi! Brief background... have done over 70 sits on THS, used to use it as a homeowner, previously owned 2 pet sitting companies. Need some advice about a situation I seem to routinely be in:

Most of the time, when having a video chat with a HO, the sit gets offered to me. On occasion, I'm told that they have other scheduled chats, which of course is perfectly fine. The issue is that in a lot of these cases, the HO tells me what a "great fit" I would be, and other random compliments. Then, about 90 percent of the time, I don't get the sit. Last time it happened, I got an email that said, "we loved both of you and literally flipped a coin." It gets to be pretty frustrating to hear all of these great things, then not get the sit.

I applied for a sit todat that I VERY much am interested in, and matches up perfectly with travel plans. HO responded immediately, saying that they took a look at my profile and reviews and I seem like the ideal sitter for them. Then, that they are keeping the listing open and will schedule video calls ASAP. A couple more emails were exchanged and we chatted about a mutual interest in a few activities, etc...

So my question is.... if/when the video chat tales place, and knowing what I know about the likelihood of getting chosen despite all of the glowing compliments, etc... should I, at the end of the video chat, assuming all goes well, say something like, "I know you have other people to chat with and I understand that, however, I would absolutely love to come sit for (insert names), would you be open to confirming me as the sitter?"

It reminds me slightly of when I had a pet sitting company, there were a few times when the owner failed to tell me until the end of the consult that they had one or two other companies coming over. 95 percent of the time everything was all set up before the in home consult took place. This is a bit different, but in both respects, I felt like my time was wasted.

Sorry for the rambling post, just seems like this happens with potential sits that I REALLY want, and it is very frustrating when HO's say all of these great things, then don't pick you.