it is funny to me how you think we can control someone playing games with us...Let's be real..The bottom line for me is this, I will charge a deposit where I deem necessary..Point blank period...I have been in this business to long to let anyone dictate to me how I do my business practices...I have seen a lot of hobbyists in this area who will say I have never charge them a deposit..Why is that? Because they submit the info I ask of them, either it being provider references, board verifications such at TER, Date-check, Preferred 411, etc or work verification...Unfortunately you have some guys would will not submit either...Even in this day and time, Screening is not 100% safe these days...There have been a lot more incidents where a lot of providers have been hurt by individuals who have been screened, so don't go throwing screening around like it is 100% safe proof because it is not...Fortunately in this business you have options, just like you will exercise yours, I damn sure will exercise mines...As always I respect those who can openly discuss their opinions to an important topic and let me know how they honestly feel...
As most of you know I have recently relocated out of the MD/DC area...I still do intend to make periodic visit to the area because I have met and made some great friends over the years...For the past couple of weeks I have been in communication with a particular hobbyist out of the Hagerstown area...He was basically interested in a hour PSE session and once I told him the donation for that he said what is the rate for the half hour...I told him...Basically at this point I knew it was a no go...But then he states that his wife wants to join...Yes I do see couples but I don't think you can afford it...So after blowing him off for a few days..I decided to respond to him and what do you know its his wife(supposedly) I am talking to now...After a few exchanges of IMs with her, I decided let me end this now...And I told him or her that I require a deposit for me to even travel to the area...Well guess what the response was??? "I found someone else"..I bet you did...
I am not the only lady in this business that requires a deposit...Usually providers require deposits for multi hours, overnighters or for traveling outside of their area...True hobbyists who have been in the business have known of this practice for years and now that the industry has taken a hit from this economy with a lot of cancellations, deposits are essential to the provider who inquire expenses from traveling or booking hotel rooms...
And no, I wouldnt suggest sending a deposit to a provider who doesn't have at least a page of reviews, a website and a board presence that dates back at least 6 months- 9 months...In other words don't send your money to an pop up overnight sensation...
The bottom line here is this deposits are used to protect our time and the loss of out of pocket expenses...And of course for me, to get rid of time wasters
Lisa Rivera
ANY hobbyist that sends a deposit to a provider is of his rocker and asking to get ripped off.
"He was basically interested in a hour PSE session and once I told him the donation for that he said what is the rate for the half hour.."
This individual revealed his/ her nature and intent from the get go. He sought to take up her time for weeks then claimed to not know the price for a PSE session which is clearly annotated on her website? Then in what could be perceived as calculating, proceed to ask for a 30 min rate? It may not to you, however this behavior belies a thought process which more often than not, is fundamentally dishonest. Let's not even get into the issues of engaging the wife in this farce as well.
Ms.Rivera was well within her rights to ask for a good faith deposit which as she points out is an acceptable and common business practice.
"I wouldnt suggest sending a deposit to a provider who doesn't have at least a page of reviews, a website and a board presence that dates back at least 6 months- 9 months...In other words don't send your money to an pop up overnight sensation... "
Rational and reasonable advice to others who may encounter such a situation in the future.
I put forth the follow supposition based upon
1) Your use of an alias (in this case taking a pot shot)
2) The absolutism of your comment
You're the kind of client who values the path of lease resistance and non accountability.
Many HONORABLE reputable providers are sent deposits all the time as a normal course of business and to state in the absolute that "ANY hobbyist that sends a deposit to a provider is of his rocker and asking to get ripped off.." has more to do with your disenchanted model of the world than it has to do with industry history. I will give you this, yes there are dishonest people ANYWHERE. Just as there are honorable people, who do business with other honorable people even in our industry.
Lee Dreams
"Sine amore, nihil est vita"
( No PM's please folks)
-- Modified on 9/27/2011 3:00:07 PM
Too many providers are stealing deposits these days, and my answer will not change under alias or under my real handle.
Pages of reviews may lessen ones exposure, but there are a few guys (recently) who will disagree with you.
It was not a pot shot, but a reality.
Ms.Rivera
This could be a miss-interpretation of your posting however it comes across more of a vent then anything else. If this is the case, I empathize.
In reading your words please allow me to share something which stands out to me.
One of the major lessons I teach in our training program is the concept of "process" and the kinds of end results it generates. I have a saying, " in life often it is not what you do, but how you do it, which matters". Methods, procedures and 'target audience' in our industry have a huge determinant in the final results we generate.
By virtue of being an agency, I'm going to attract a different kind of psych profile than you will as an independent. We in the Fantasys Network know this because we've taken the time to measure and study it. Over time a collection of these little insights, lessons and failures have led to many of the procedural polices we have today. Target audience is a huge factor in the results one generates. Many of the procedures we have will fail with certain psych profiles and specific target audiences however they do work wonders for those of us in the network.
As procedural policy we do not offer a 30 min rate, not because of profit issues, but because of the baseline (majority) personality type it attracts. For every one great human being we attracted, we had to deal with three 'rectal perforations'. The latter lessons also plays a part in our everything up front pricing page and current rates for the Dreams line. Take a look if you care to.
NO IM or texting -A few years back one of our Ohio member agencies and two independents allowed clients to text and IM. What we found over time and study was disheartening. In general the booking conversion rates ( the number of bookings from a communication) dropped by 47%, the number of NCNS increased by about 39% and the time spent to book an appointment went through the roof. Too many clients suddenly needed hand holding and extra attention which led no where even if you factored in the long view of customer service. Ultimately we went to a booking by phone only policy. Voice commitments, and inquiries trump those made by IM or text, results have proven for us.
I am sure there are those who feel they are losing potential business by not entertaining IM, or long e-mail or casual texting engagements. I would however, beg to differ especially if they start adding up how much time they spend to book that call in the first place and add it to the base line cost of the booked event. Suddenly, when you figured out the one hour call you made only results in a 10 to 20% return for example it can be sobering.
Because of our processes, procedures and policies I get to focus on our clients who are proven winners. Those are the relationships we go the extra mile to nurture and invest our time in as opposed to those who love jerking providers around.
Deposits came to be as a way to mitigate much the negative out comes of less than honorable people and rightfully so. Yet I also would advocate to many in our industry to perhaps examine their business process as well.
I am truly sorry for your experience, however as I said previously I can empathize.
Sincerely,
Lee Dreams
"Sine amore, nihil est vita"
( No PM's please folks)
Your point is on target. Having worked in direct sales, the best way to develop leads is with personal communication. Personal communication allowed me to read the lead and not only respond to objections they presented but also ones that I might have been clued onto by their responses. Indirect communication (print, email, IM) are dismissed better than 90% of the time. Another thing that has to be considered is that IMing and email allows the lead to check other providers as he communicates with you.
Tell prospective clients to read the booking requirements on your website. That will cut down on the drama that goes on with booking these types of engagements.
I have been in the hobby since 1999 and never done a deposit and never will do one. This includes for overnights. That means I miss on some ladies so be it.
Don't knock down the new ladies. There have been plenty of scandals with some of the well known ladies keeping deposits and not showing up for appointments.
To get a better judge if people keep appointments you should check references and the ladies boards etc.
Never'd had to give one. TS
I know exactly who Lisa is referring to. He has spent several weeks pulling the same crap with me. He emails constantly, picks a day to meet, and then I never hear from him again till the next time he wants to waste my time. He now goes to spam. I'm not dealing with him.
Ladies if you want to know who he is send me a PM.
Dusty
This is a subject where a lot of people will have different views and I can respect that...What works for you may not work for every one else...A lot of us ladies learn lessons in this business by trial and error...There are a lot of ladies in this industry that requires deposits and most certainly won't be the last...Take this for instant, if you would like to see me in let say Denver, CO, do you expect me to purchase my plane ticket and also booked a hotel room base on the fact alone that you booked an appt with me and I have never seen you before...Really? I am sorry but I am sure a lot of ladies here will not just jump on the next plane to go and see someone and hope that they don't cancel on them...In the past yes I would book appts without a deposit and was fine but in these times with cancellations and no shows, I follow suit of many of the other ladies in the business...
it is funny to me how you think we can control someone playing games with us...Let's be real..The bottom line for me is this, I will charge a deposit where I deem necessary..Point blank period...I have been in this business to long to let anyone dictate to me how I do my business practices...I have seen a lot of hobbyists in this area who will say I have never charge them a deposit..Why is that? Because they submit the info I ask of them, either it being provider references, board verifications such at TER, Date-check, Preferred 411, etc or work verification...Unfortunately you have some guys would will not submit either...Even in this day and time, Screening is not 100% safe these days...There have been a lot more incidents where a lot of providers have been hurt by individuals who have been screened, so don't go throwing screening around like it is 100% safe proof because it is not...Fortunately in this business you have options, just like you will exercise yours, I damn sure will exercise mines...As always I respect those who can openly discuss their opinions to an important topic and let me know how they honestly feel...
I do not charge deposits for everyone..Just where I deem it necessary...
I don't live in the area any more eiter but pop in every now and then. There was a guy in Hagerstown that booked an overnight with myself and another provider and then he asked if his wife could join. Days of IMing, texting and emailing(nonstop, it was tiring) he then said he wouldn't be a copule because the wife was spending it with some other dude. Uum okayyy. Then fewhpursbefore scheduled meeting time he canceled because his wife was in an accident!
I honestly think he does this, and that NO wife exists. He gets his kicks this way. Then a week later he asks for an appt! I said if I ever would consider an appt with hi
he would hav to send me money first. He asked why an honestly, I feel that he does this to many providers and can't remember which one he is talking too and which one he has already screwed over!
Kisses, Sidney
p.s. This man is a real tool, and had done this too me months prior for a four hour couples appt in BWI and then canceled due to schedule changes in his work. I bet it's the same exact TOOL..
He does the same to me all the time. Sets things up and then cancels. Gives different excuses all the time. One time it was the kids are now here. The next time he asked I mentioned the kids and he said there were none. He can't keep his stories straight. The sad thing is he is a member here. Maybe he'll read this and realize we all know about him and he'll stop bothering us.
So you get led around for weeks and months at a time. That's your own fault for allowing it.
Parlaying that scenario into a deposit situation for real hobbyists makes no sense. Perhaps you all should tighten up your screening procedures.
I don't feel they are necessary. I do screen very well. But I also allow newbies sometimes. The problem is even when I tell him no he keeps contacting. I just posted to let others know that this guy really does this crap.
I do understand why some require deposits, and if I did do overnights or traveled to meet somone I would also require a deposit. But since my regular job does not allow me to offer appointments of that type I do not feel deposits are necessary for me.
It is NOT my fault that some idiot contacted me to Waste my time. Not just three of us either. He has done this all at the same time to different providers. My screening skills are just fine, he did have a reference that checked through. Just because someone actually has references doesn't mean that it's smooth sailing the rest of the way LOL.
I do NOT require deposits for any of my appts BUT if someone seriously wants to book an overnight, or a weekend or some other type of appt that will take serious planning and arrangements on both the providers' and clients' part, then I don't see anything wrong with a small deposit. If the client is really serious then there shouldn't be any issue.