Recently I had to cancel 3 hours before a two hour appointment with a pretty low volume provider.

Usually ladies have a number on their website how much they should be compensated when cancelled on. Cancelling within 24hrs I would give half the agreed upon fee.

or a Vanilla Visa, etc. and send her a pic of both sides. No need to send anything via FedEx. But yes, in terms of protocol, many ladies have a 24hr cancelation fee window- some even have 48. You're a stand-up guy to send something. Feel better soon!

that shit happens, apologize for the unforeseen circumstances, and that you would like to reschedule the date,  but if she starts thinking you're a flake, and doesn't want to reschedule for the next week, then I agree you should do something.  Just so she knows this is the exception rather than the rule with you, I would have suggested that you will send her some money now perhaps the first hour or two, since she was expecting to earn it, but that she would agree that it would be an advance deposit against the reschedule of the appointment, and if you fail to show a second time, she keeps it with no further obligation to you.  That is fair to both parties since no one can predict when they are getting the flu, especially if you're booking a day to a week in advance of the meeting day, and at the same time you are respecting the value of the time she reserved for you and that she expected to have some earnings that day.

i personally don't book with women who have cancellation fees.  for one thing, i'm not a flake and i don't cancel unless there's blood on the floor (metaphorically speaking of course).  for another, unless i have seen the woman before, there's always the chance that teh woman will cancel, or even not show.  but mostly, this endeavor is unregulated and i feel there's no way a vendor has any legal or ethical standing to charge any sort of fee for services NOT rendered.

drinking a fifth of Scotch does not make you one-fifth Scottish.  Ahem.  

wish all of the hobbyists would take your question seriously and do the right thing, like you did!
Very impressive and admirable!!!

about my response?  I think a unilateral penalty fee that is not a good-faith deposit on a reschedule is just not warranted.  If a provider told me instead that, if I were to cancel, I would pay a cancellation fee, but that if SHE cancelled, she would send me a replacement provider that charges an equal or greater rate for the same time I reserved, then I would have an easier time agreeing.  Most indies want bookings at least two or three days in advance, but then you want to penalize the hobbyist if he gets sick?  I don't think so, because he has no recourse if you're the one cancelling because you're sick.  No other business I know of is so one-sided in favor of he seller.  

..just because I feel it would be the right thing to do. Yes many would balk at sending anything, quoting the unfairness of the setup in terms of provider vs hobbyist for cancellations, and I do see that point. But you have to do what's right for you. What would make it right in my eyes far outweighs what the conventional wisdom might deem appropriate.  

of a sweetheart than I am.  Lol

Caveat:  everyone here knows I'm an asshole because I speak my mind.  First, grow a set of balls and just do what you think is right for you.  It sounds like you are on the fence and are only sending the money begrudgingly.   It looks to me like you brought this to the boards for the court of public opinion hoping to get justification for not sending the money.  Otherwise, why even ask?  If you were ok sending the money, you would have just sent it.  
But don't feed everyone here this bull shit about how everyone feels about it or to gauge how much of a retard you may be.  Trust me you have been awarded retard points towards your ultimate score in that regard if for no other reason than this post.  

an asshole, but you're OUR asshole, so we always appreciate your perspective.  Good point, but I didn't know you awarded retard points.  If you don't mind me asking about my own total . . . . ?
Lol

... double the normal time of my next appointment or make an extra appointment.  Otherwise I don't send a cancellation fee.  When a provider cancels on me, then in good faith I assume it was for reasons out of her control, especially since I can't know otherwise, and let it go without angling for some extra time or other makeup benefit.  On the very rare occasion I cancel, and it is beyond my control, I assume the provider will understand and accept it as a ordinary known risk of the business.  However, if I did cancel for unjustifiable reasons then a cancellation fee would be appropriate!  I did that only once, a long time ago, because of an ill-timed nap while forgetting to set a wakeup alarm.

Each person must keep track of their own retard points.  I can't do everything for y'all.  

I thought it was a good topic.  

Personal Whining board!  If you put in on a discussion board get ready!
Are you thinking everyone will say don't pay so you can say, "Well everyone agrees I don't need to pay"
Weren't you the one sniveling about a provider cancelling on you?

for the cancelation because I haven't missed out on a confirmed session yet. Fwiw, it's against my religion to book a date who has a cancelation or a deposit policy.

Classic - I paid in full because it was what I felt like doing.
That's what I figured might be a bit retarded but your responses are very clever and funny and actually say more about yourselves than my post.
Yeah you got me romantic and Jinx - that is exactly what I was thinking etc. You guys have everything all figured out.
I really do love this place and I can't wait to put faces to names of all you brothers of mine at the M&G in April...
Cheers Guys and thanks for the feedback - Tank

and get an understanding.  Who knows, she might not have asked for anything.  I had to cancel on someone this year for the same reason, got sick the day of.  Actually that's the first time I have ever gotten sick the day of.  She didn't ask for anything.  However, she now sees me at her own place.  If I had been new to her and she gotten hotel room, then I would have reimbursed her for the room at the minimum.  She is also low volume and likely would not have been able to use the room for anything else.  So of course I would have reimbursed her for that, minimum.

LOL!  You didn't pay.   So your post was an exercise in futility, since just about everyone here said you should. Better luck next time "Scooter".   SMH....

Thanks - This is a cool response.

Lol  
No sisterly love, eh

unless she told you in advanced about cancelations fees you should send her nothing.

In general you have a valid point.  However, what you say is not always 100% true.  I have had a small number of providers give me a partial refund if they inconvenienced me or something else came up and the session was shortened or something.  Additionally I have gotten free a session when I have helped a provider out in other ways.