Clients and escorts need to respect each others time. Quality of life is important to the escorts when they are faced with the prospect of being ON 24/7. It just isn't possible. Clients probably don't realise that phones ring 24/7 and it can lead to burn out if you don't turn it off after a normal work day.
Myrissa you are doing fine.. listing your times on your site, on voicemail. Returning calls when possible is great. Being a one person show, it is very difficult to wear all the hats of being an escort with a personal life whether it is having a child, family, significant other. Everyone needs to have some down time from the phone to have a personal life.
Myrissa the most important advice I could give is just be as clear as you can with your messages and emails as to what you can and can't do. If after that it is misinterpreted just know you did all you could. Try not to take it personally when you get berated especially when someone demands something and you are not able to fulfill the request.
first i recieved an email from someone who said that i stood them up. if i remember right standing up is when you book and confirm an appointment then arn't available. am i right or wrong? if i am not mistaken this person wanted an evening appointment and i was not available to take the call. i usually don't work evenings anyway and had tried to make an exception for him.
second i am available mon-fri from about 10am to 6pm give or take an hour or two and do not work weekends unless you are someone i know. this is listed on my site and also eros. i get calls from the time i wake up till the time i go to bed. for some reason guys seem to think that by leaving me numerous messages after 6 that i am going to return their calls even though i am not available and then get mad if i don't. what am i to do? don't people read through the advertisement before calling?
third how long after someone leaves a message should you return a call? no one seems to say "i'll be available for a call back anytime before 5" or "call me between noon and 2" ? then when you don't call back because you recieve a message an hour or so after it was left then you are in trouble for not returning calls. on my message it says to leave your name and number then i will return your call between 9am and 5pm and if it is after 5pm i will call you the next day, some people leave messages at 8pm or 1 am then get mad when i call them the next morning.
how more blunt do we have to be? the same info is on my site and on my voice mail. is the same thing going on with anyone else out there? i am new to this discussion board thing and choose to keep more to myself but this is starting to really bother me that some clients out there have no respect for our personal life and just wanted to know if there was something more that i needed to be doing?
It really is a difficult situation...
If you don't return calls, some will get frustrated and leave pissy messages. If you return calls much later or the next day, most guys won't mind, but every once in a while one will get upset because he's at work, etc.
I think you should spell it out on your site more clearly. It does show the hours you work, but you might mention some things like: "I only return calls during my available hours" and/or "To avoid any problems for you, I will ONLY return calls if your message says when this is appropriate."
You could actually spell the whole thing out in your VM greeting... "If you're calling to schedule for tomorrow or later, leave your suggested times and tell me when it's OK to call back. If you're calling to schedule today and have not heard from me by 6pm, I will not be able to call you back."
As for whether you choose to simply skip returning calls because of the volume is up to you entirely. You will get a little heat for it...
[soapbox on]
I don't mean to again bring up the pricing debate that I carefully avoided before, but at the kinds of prices that are now the norm in MN, guys expect a more professional, business-like level of customer service. I periodically do executive-level consulting and typically bill between 250 and 500 per hour. You better believe my clients expect an extraordinary level of commitment on my part for that kind of money, and the expectation goes up SIGNIFICANTLY with every single dollar.
Both viewpoints are fair... You're justified in saying "I have a life, I have other things I need to get done." And the guys are justified in saying "at $200 to $300 per hour, you oughta be able to set aside some time to return calls every day."
[soapbox off]
I would just decide what works for you and stick with it consistently... Either:
(a) Always call back unless specifically told in the message you shouldn't--and say this in your site and VM greeting;
(b) never call back unless specifically told to--and say this in your site and VM greeting.
Clients and escorts need to respect each others time. Quality of life is important to the escorts when they are faced with the prospect of being ON 24/7. It just isn't possible. Clients probably don't realise that phones ring 24/7 and it can lead to burn out if you don't turn it off after a normal work day.
Myrissa you are doing fine.. listing your times on your site, on voicemail. Returning calls when possible is great. Being a one person show, it is very difficult to wear all the hats of being an escort with a personal life whether it is having a child, family, significant other. Everyone needs to have some down time from the phone to have a personal life.
Myrissa the most important advice I could give is just be as clear as you can with your messages and emails as to what you can and can't do. If after that it is misinterpreted just know you did all you could. Try not to take it personally when you get berated especially when someone demands something and you are not able to fulfill the request.
I don't think your position is unreasonable at all. I would, as a previous reply said, spell out your policy very precisely both on the internet and your VM. That way there should be confusion only if the client fails to pay attention and that is not your fault. It won't stop all of it because some people are incorrigible. It might help you attract a better group of clients because you will be seen as being very professional. I know I for one would greatly appreciate knowing what kind of timeframe in which I can expect a response when I leave someone a message.
You need to re-read your ero's ad - No hours are currently posted - Plus, keep in mind its a business, we all deal with customers who are jerks or just plain clueless everyday. So, some we blow off (correctly) and some we take special pleasure in taking their money because it squeaked when it came out of their wallet. Its all how you look at it! ps, also note your web site is no longer listed on your eros ad.
Myrissa, The previous posts have been very accurate and correct. Omega once again has the words of wisdom.
Imyself appreciate a prompt return of my call or email. Does it alwsy happen? NO. BUt I also realise the lady has thngs going on in her schedule and can not always return the call as soon as I would like. That is why I always try to have my schedule booked at least a wek or more in ADVANCE. That way it works into my schedule and I am not tyiing to squeeze a time into an already tight schedule.
More providers need to look at this as a business and treat it accordingly. The better they represent themsleves they more business they will have. Now a lot of providers have figured this one out. The old golden rule applies for both sides of the fence: treat others as you want to be treated!
just my 2 cents.
'Godfather
thanks for the info. the availability used to be on eros and i will make sure they put it back up.
This is a business like any other business. Getting upset at your customers is Not good for business. If your customers feel your doing something that upsets them , Change it. They can get along without you but you need them to run your business. PS The Post Office is hiring if your interested.
i have a day job thank you very much. all i was asking for a little respect when i comes time for me to end my day.
they would be bad clients. Put them on your DNS list and forget them.