So I am very new to the "hobby", with only one experience under my belt (which was very nice).

I recently contacted a very well reviewed out of town provider for a possible meeting.  She checked my one reference, confirmed a few days before the meet, gave me her cell phone #, hotel, and ask that I call when i got there.  Everything smoothly handled.  This was for a mid-afternoon meeting, since I can't generally do nights.  So I leave work early, drive over to the hotel.  20 minutes (!) before our scheduled meeting, I get a text from her assistant telling me that she has to cancel due to "hotel issues".  

Maybe this happens all the time, but it really is tough to take as it's hard for me to set all this up with my schedule.

Thanks for reading.

Unfortunately, things happen in this business for various reasons and appts do not always go off without a hitch.

Even though you were confirmed a few days earlier, many find it to be a best practice to confirm the night before for a morning appt, or morning of, for an afternoon or evening.  Even then, there is not guarantee!

You can decrease the risk of this happening but not eliminate it. Do your homework, try to work with reputable providers, understand their end of the business, and be extra aware that some people manage their time and logistics better than others.

Chalk it up to experience and don't let it bother you!

-- Modified on 5/20/2010 8:37:15 AM

Thanks - I'm really just mad because I won't have another opportunity for another few weeks and with the warm weather coming on I feel like I'm going to bust!

It's going to happen again...and again...and again...

Not that it's YOUR problem but mid afternoons can be problematic as most hotels have a check-in time at 2 or 3pm.  If it was her first night in town it's quite possible that she simply couldn't get a check-in time that worked for you.  

Honestly, a 20 minute drive is not that big of a deal. I live 7 miles from Boston but it almost always takes me at least a half an hour to drive in and park.  The suburbs can be worse. You can book providers by proximity or by the quality of their reviews, it's up to you.

I prefer early am appts, and as BG57 points out, occasionally hotel probs arise. Just last week , as I sit in the parking lot , get a call saying she cant check in. Was I dissapointed? Yes of course, but no one screwed up. Went back to work, rescheculed and had an awesome session two days later.

And this is just one example. It has happened to me other times, for other reasons, but each time I have been a gentlemen , taken the high road and been happy with the ultimate outcome.

And as stated on other posts, always better odds with well reviewed providers.

Hotel issues ?  Maybe she meant a better paying client.  Nothing against you.  Some of these ladies double book.  If some other guy is paying more of for more time. She will put you aside.

usually after a positive reference check there will be an effort by the provider to reschedule.  While maybe she really didn't have the time this trip; if no offer was even made, you probably should consider yourself better off being skipped then to pay for a negative or luckwarm experience