One other thing.
You DO say that a discount is required for booking of four hours or more ... but you have no line for a four hour booking that I could see. It jumps from 3 to 5. So you should either have a 4 hour rate, or change the requirement to 5 hours or more.
xo
Already posted my "ad" for the week in my base city, and everyone knows Bostoners are smart and savvy.
I have a few people say to me - "You shouldn't require deposits. It puts people off." Funny thing is I do NOT require deposits, but have it as an option.
Now I tried to make that clear on my site. So is it the site or just guys not reading?
You take a look and tell me what you think.
Thanks a million.
Kisses,
Vanica
It is perhaps still a tad confusing.
At first glance, I take it as "a 1-hr session costs $400, *unless* you pay $25% up-front... in which case 1-hr will only cost $300."
Then I read the finer print below to understand this is for multi-hour sessions.
In a digital age where one's attention span is brief-at-best, somehow clarifying in your chart itself that the 25% is for 2-4hr sessions would help.
My 2-cents, hope it helps!
At first, it seemed like you are offering a 25% discount if you pay a deposit, but then it seemed like the rate with a deposit is just the balance after you pay the 25% deposit.
Then further on you specifify that there is a discount if you pay a (unspecified) deposit.
You really need to clear that up.
Also, the word "hours" is missing after you state a minimum of "5..." required for sessions up to..." You should fix that.
Some of us are sticklers for that kind of thing.
I can see how it would be a little unclear since the discounted rate ends up being 25% less in most cases.
Basically, my premise was pay 25% (or 50% for appointments 5 hours or longer) upfront, and you save a significant amount for the entire appointment.
Now I just have to explain like I'm talking to a 4 year old.
Kisses,
Vanica
Let me see if I understand.........
The 25% deposit option begins at hour 1 and is offered up to hour 5.
There is no deposit option for hour 6.
Beginning at hour 7 through infinity a 50% deposit option is offered.
Now, I can give you the full rate requested when we meet OR I can offer you the applicable deposit amount up front depending on the time span that I book with you but it is at MY option only.
If I decide to send you a deposit it is easy to understand what the balance due will be when we meet because you have already done the math for me.
In order to get through your reservation, tardiness and cancellation rules and restrictions page I will need to run it through my lawyer and accountant first. Its easier to change an airline ticket and far less confusing.
I don't understand why you would set yourself up for the problems that this " offering" must be causing you.
Sorry V, I am one of those smart and savvy Bostoners but I seem to be missing something here.
And that's after I simplified my first draft. Hazard of a JD, I guess.
Now I do ask that people read the policy, so later when problems arise I can say "It is here in my policy."
It's mainly to combat no-shows, late shows and last minute cancellations/changes which often cost me a lot of time and money. Especially for travel engagements. Plus, I didn't want to have and enforce any policy I didn't spell out on my website. That would be unfair.
I know a lot of people never really read the fine print, but it still exist almost everywhere.
Kisses,
Vanica
It's very clear, to me at least, that you do not REQUIRE a deposit. What you are doing however is offering a discounted rate WITH a deposit. The problem is that once guys see that you are willing to book for the lower rate they want it WITHOUT having to give you a deposit. Once you post the lower rate all of the higher rates are pretty much invisible to the guys reading your site.
Please understand that I am not questioning or criticizing your rates. I never do. You have a right to charge whatever you like. I do think however that you are over-complicating things. The bottom line here is that your discounted hourly rate is pretty much in line with what many providers book for with no discount. I don't really see any confusion in your rate structure. If you are having problems it is more likely from the refusal of potential clients to accept the fact that they need to give you a deposit to get your best rate.
Those who have used my deposit policy say they love it.
They get a better rate, and I get a little security on my side. I thought a fair compromise. Especially since the deposit was optional.
But you make a valid point.
So I guess my real question is what do I really want?
More bookings or more security when I book.
I first started this policy with regulars when I raised my rates and it was not on my site. It worked so well, I decided to offer it to the general public. No complaints (to me at least) or than those who thought deposits were required, but when I cleared up the policy they were ok.
You've given me a lot to think about.
Kisses,
Vanica
-- Modified on 2/4/2010 2:15:44 PM
...not asking for a deposit at all? There are other ways to get more security. Besides, giving you a deposit doesn't increase security on the client side, does it? In fact, some may argue it decreases security for the client!
The real question you have to ask yourself is: what rate do you want to charge? It's okay to have variable rates for different type clients, regular vs. first timers. But asking for deposit (except for longer appointments) is definite turn-off.
Just my 2 cents.
I know absolutely nothing about the DC market and you have many pages of good reviews so it's clear that you are doing something right down there.
What I DO know is that your rate structure most likely wouldn't fly in Boston and in many other markets that I have visited. Still, you hit the nail on the head. It's really a matter of deciding what you want, quantity or security. It seems to me that with a good base of satisfied regulars you get both. If you want to expand your client base or do any touring you may have to take a bit more risk financially but again, I would never tell a lady how to run her business.
Package name (X hours)............. $XXX. Prepay 25% or more for $XXX OFF.
And then in the fine print I just explain how to make a deposit.
Kisses,
Vanica
You could be even more explicit in your table.
Define deposit for us: "funds received more than x hours in advance of our meeting". Oh, below the table except "five(5) ahead of time" is missing "hours".
"Schedule with a deposit and save."
Spell out total amounts in your table; pick a phrase for "balance due" = "when we meet" or "upon arrival":
Time | Full Rate | or | Discount with Deposit
1 hour 400 | or | 75 deposit + 225 upon meeting = 300 total
3 hours 1000 | or | 200 deposit + 600 upon arrival = 800 total
R Grande 2200 | or | 800 deposit + 800 when we meet = 1600 total
But then you say that you REQUIRE a deposit for more than 4 hours so why even show a non-discounted "Full Rate" for anything over 4 hours?
The whole thing is unnecessarily confusing.
Remember who you're talking to: us guys.
KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).
One other thing.
You DO say that a discount is required for booking of four hours or more ... but you have no line for a four hour booking that I could see. It jumps from 3 to 5. So you should either have a 4 hour rate, or change the requirement to 5 hours or more.
xo
Simplicity is beautiful, but not as beautiful as you. Keep it simple, otherwise, we may not bother. If it takes more than 5 seconds to determine the full rate structure, I lose interest. I spent 5 minutes and still don't fully understand it.
Have an hourly rate with discounts for multi hour dates. If you want to offer additional discount for prepayment, make it a straight percentage. You don't have to do the math on all different hourly figures. Most of us can figure out the math.
Simplify the rate structure, and lose the spreadsheet.
Vanica,
The whole "DEPOSIT" thing reeks of a scam, regardless. I'd get rid of it. For me, it is a "knock out" factor when I'm looking for companionship.
Just my 2 cents.....
I'm guessing by now you've already changed it, because what I see on your Rates link looks fine. I've been in the hobby 10yrs and never paid a deposit. I doubt I ever would, my concern being the traceability of the advance payment and the possibility of a scam. I pay credit card for 98% of my purchases, with valet tips and this hobby being the only exceptions for cash. You're a lovly looking lady!