Newbie - FAQ

The CODB
LowKiss 2 Reviews 277 reads
posted

In no way do I mean to be rude, I'm just laying out the harsh truth.  Here it goes...

I am in business for myself and there is a term business owners use for unwanted/unforeseen/uncommon expenses.  It's called "The Cost of Doing Business" (CODB).

While your provider business is underground, it's still a business.   Business is risky for everyone who owns one, underground or "legit".  

You have to try to hedge against these unforeseen CODB expenses by charging enough per session, not living "paycheck to paycheck", and screening and keeping your eyes open for potential no shows.

Fact is, especially in your business, you are never going to be able to collect on your no-shows - plain and simple.  And if no-shows are so common for you that you have to worry about them that much, then it's most likely a problem on your end or something you are not doing to minimize these no-shows.  I guess you may also be doing business in an area with a lot of assholes that like to fuck with providers.  It's possible.  But nothing you can do about it in that case except close shop or don;t do business in such an area.

If you text or message a no-show telling him he owes you a no-show fee, he will never schedule with you in the future anyway (which is usually a good thing probably), but how are you going to collect then?  Do you expect him to send you the money somehow?  You may be successful with that 1 out of 1,000 times, but most of the time you will not be.

And stating that you have a cancellation fee on your website or your ads won't do anything because the first thing a guy is  going to think when he reads that is..."ummm...OK.  And just how do you expect to collect that, pray tell?"

In short, there is really noting you can do about it in this business.  It's something you have to accept and try to minimize as much as you can.  

SUGGESTION:  If you get a no-show and you paid for a hotel room just for that no-show, it may be a good idea to post an ad out on various sites ASAP to see if you can get a bite on another client.  That's what I would do if I was in that situation.  In fact, when possible, it might be a good idea to always post an ad on a site anytime you secure a room for just one client that way you can make more money for that room you just secured.  It's just a suggestion.  I can't tell you wast to do and I di understand that sometimes it;s not possible for various reasons.

I'm generally pretty flexible and lenient in terms of cancellations, but unfortunately, I had to enact a 50% cancellation fee just recently, especially for incalls since I do not have a permanent incall location (I have to get a hotel room).  

So.... My question is: If I charge a client 50% for a last minute cancellation/no show fee, what's the best way to collect that? I have used Western Union before, but even the "anonymous" pickup still requires my client to give his personal information. I don't believe that I can see his information, but I can understand if he doesn't want to release it to Western Union. Ideas? Thoughts?  

Many thanks! XOXOXO

ROGM482 reads

You really trust the client to send you a cancellation fee? I'll assume that this is a regular client. I doubt a new client would pay a cancellation fee. A regular client would be more inclined to pay a cancellation fee. Shouldn't the client pay for the motel room? I'm not criticizing you. Just asking.

Bitcoin

Anonymous gift card (he pays cash at brick and mortar store; sends # by email) - but watch out for GC scams - you can monetize gift cards online, for a fee (e.g., PayGarden.com. Sell them a $100 GC; get $80 cash but redemption rates vary.)

Gift Rocket GC is supposed to be a good choice

Paypal GC - NOT Paypal itself - PP GC is different from PP - PP GC is supposed to be a good choice

Anonymous Prepaid CC - Vanilla Visa or Master Card - pay cash at brick and mortar; send # by email

TrustCash - trustcash.com - TER used to use them for anonymous VIP payments  

Bank check payable to you or your business mailed to you or your PO Box.

Appeal to his sense of decency and encourage him to book again and bring the extra cash.  

Your website says, "I am no longer taking new clients."  Is that so?

Posted By: RachaelLee
I'm generally pretty flexible and lenient in terms of cancellations, but unfortunately, I had to enact a 50% cancellation fee just recently, especially for incalls since I do not have a permanent incall location (I have to get a hotel room).  
   
 So.... My question is: If I charge a client 50% for a last minute cancellation/no show fee, what's the best way to collect that? I have used Western Union before, but even the "anonymous" pickup still requires my client to give his personal information. I don't believe that I can see his information, but I can understand if he doesn't want to release it to Western Union. Ideas? Thoughts?
-- Modified on 12/10/2016 12:00:43 AM

Thank you! I will check a few of these out. I always try to maintain peace and/or work out some kind of deal. I'm not trying to sound money hungry, but it's especially really frustrating when you've already spend the money on the hotel room, have to sit in Atlanta traffic for an hour, then wait for an extra hour in the hotel for him to show up, and nobody comes :-(  

I will no longer be taking new clients after December 24, 2016.... I'm slowing down in the hobby for school, work, family matters, and to work on getting back into shape. I will still be seeing regulars and previously seen clients though :-) I'm also looking into a small sublet unit in downtown, so hopefully doing incalls will be much easier!

ROGM- It's not really a "trust" issue, more so a moral issue... I've never taxed a true "regular" client 50%, but then again, I've never had a true regular client no-show on me. Both occasions, it has been gentleman that have seen me once before. I am typically more-so an outcall girl, but I sometimes do incalls. I rarely ever spend less than $120-$200 on hotels, so sometimes the 50% cancellation/ no-show fee doesn't even cover the whole cost of the room and I still lose money. I'm a low volume provider and by no means rich, so losing that money and then the guy ignoring me is unbelievably frustrating.... I guess a second question would be "How do you get him to pay you?" lol

Posted By: RachaelLee
ROGM- It's not really a "trust" issue, more so a moral issue... I've never taxed a true "regular" client 50%, but then again, I've never had a true regular client no-show on me. Both occasions, it has been gentleman that have seen me once before. I am typically more-so an outcall girl, but I sometimes do incalls. I rarely ever spend less than $120-$200 on hotels, so sometimes the 50% cancellation/ no-show fee doesn't even cover the whole cost of the room and I still lose money. I'm a low volume provider and by no means rich, so losing that money and then the guy ignoring me is unbelievably frustrating.... I guess a second question would be "How do you get him to pay you?" lol.  
   
 
Doesn't matter if your low volume professional your buisness lost money on cancellation.I wonder why client ignoring you .Good question how are you going to get client to pay you..

ROGM326 reads

Posted By: Fancy8888
 
   
Posted By: RachaelLee
ROGM- It's not really a "trust" issue, more so a moral issue... I've never taxed a true "regular" client 50%, but then again, I've never had a true regular client no-show on me. Both occasions, it has been gentleman that have seen me once before. I am typically more-so an outcall girl, but I sometimes do incalls. I rarely ever spend less than $120-$200 on hotels, so sometimes the 50% cancellation/ no-show fee doesn't even cover the whole cost of the room and I still lose money. I'm a low volume provider and by no means rich, so losing that money and then the guy ignoring me is unbelievably frustrating.... I guess a second question would be "How do you get him to pay you?" lol.    
     
 
Doesn't matter if your low volume professional your buisness lost money on cancellation.I wonder why client ignoring you .Good question how are you going to get client to pay you..
That's what I'd like to know. How do she expect to collect the cancellation fee?

Posted By: ROGM
 
   
Posted By: Fancy8888
 
     
Posted By: RachaelLee
ROGM- It's not really a "trust" issue, more so a moral issue... I've never taxed a true "regular" client 50%, but then again, I've never had a true regular client no-show on me. Both occasions, it has been gentleman that have seen me once before. I am typically more-so an outcall girl, but I sometimes do incalls. I rarely ever spend less than $120-$200 on hotels, so sometimes the 50% cancellation/ no-show fee doesn't even cover the whole cost of the room and I still lose money. I'm a low volume provider and by no means rich, so losing that money and then the guy ignoring me is unbelievably frustrating.... I guess a second question would be "How do you get him to pay you?" lol.    
       
   
Doesn't matter if your low volume professional your buisness lost money on cancellation.I wonder why client ignoring you .Good question how are you going to get client to pay you..
   
 That's what I'd like to know. How do she expect to collect the cancellation fee?
I don't think your going to get cancellation fee or business expenses..Client ignorning you..Doesn't matter low or high volume professional your business lost money over this client.

Does this policy work both ways? Eg you have to cancel and have to  pay/compensate?

MidnightKitty347 reads

No, she shouldn't have to compensate you for a canceled appointment. The issue here is that she is hosting incalls in a hotel and when a guy NCNS or cancels last minute, she has to eat the cost of the hotel room. Everyone has to cancel at one time or another, illness or emergencies happen. If a guy cancels, then pay the fee and go along your merry way. If I cancel, I offer a discount on a rescheduled booking or extra time OTC. Simple.

GaGambler243 reads

She is one of the women here who when asked, (or even when not asked) will ALWAYS claim the woman is in the right and the man is in the wrong.  

In the interest of fair play, there are also men here who believe the man is always right and the woman always wrong, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.

I think that just like throwing out the highest and lowest scores, the newbies should be made aware of who is going to give out useful and objective advice, and which posters are simply going to try to indoctrinate them. ALL of the advice given out by this posted can be condensed into a single Tarzan/Fancy type statement. "Hookers Good, Johns Bad"  That pretty much sums up every post she has ever made.

Yes, I've had to cancel one or two outcalls before at the last minute. I always offer extra time for our next visit.  

Posted By: KYCPA9935
Does this policy work both ways? Eg you have to cancel and have to  pay/compensate?

I have had the best success on the rare occasions that I have had this happen by using the Venmo account I have under my business name. It's discreetly named so it looks like any other purchase on a bank or cc statement and it's convenient.

When he makes another appointment hit him up then.    You will just get mad over it and he will too.   Get cheap rooms.   If he does it a lot don't see him.     Ladies can't make it more often than the clients to me anyway.  I use mostly agency's then they replace the lady.

In no way do I mean to be rude, I'm just laying out the harsh truth.  Here it goes...

I am in business for myself and there is a term business owners use for unwanted/unforeseen/uncommon expenses.  It's called "The Cost of Doing Business" (CODB).

While your provider business is underground, it's still a business.   Business is risky for everyone who owns one, underground or "legit".  

You have to try to hedge against these unforeseen CODB expenses by charging enough per session, not living "paycheck to paycheck", and screening and keeping your eyes open for potential no shows.

Fact is, especially in your business, you are never going to be able to collect on your no-shows - plain and simple.  And if no-shows are so common for you that you have to worry about them that much, then it's most likely a problem on your end or something you are not doing to minimize these no-shows.  I guess you may also be doing business in an area with a lot of assholes that like to fuck with providers.  It's possible.  But nothing you can do about it in that case except close shop or don;t do business in such an area.

If you text or message a no-show telling him he owes you a no-show fee, he will never schedule with you in the future anyway (which is usually a good thing probably), but how are you going to collect then?  Do you expect him to send you the money somehow?  You may be successful with that 1 out of 1,000 times, but most of the time you will not be.

And stating that you have a cancellation fee on your website or your ads won't do anything because the first thing a guy is  going to think when he reads that is..."ummm...OK.  And just how do you expect to collect that, pray tell?"

In short, there is really noting you can do about it in this business.  It's something you have to accept and try to minimize as much as you can.  

SUGGESTION:  If you get a no-show and you paid for a hotel room just for that no-show, it may be a good idea to post an ad out on various sites ASAP to see if you can get a bite on another client.  That's what I would do if I was in that situation.  In fact, when possible, it might be a good idea to always post an ad on a site anytime you secure a room for just one client that way you can make more money for that room you just secured.  It's just a suggestion.  I can't tell you wast to do and I di understand that sometimes it;s not possible for various reasons.

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