A previous thread reminiscing about awesome gals from the past has got me curious. Some mentioned they wished they had the opportunity to have met some before they moved on. I have also had gents visit me that indicated they had me in their bucket list for more than a year before taking the plunge.

That said, my question is, what in your eyes would be the ideal way for a provider to go into retirement? Would you like her to give advance, public notice? Private notice? How far in advance? Please share your opinions.

Thanks in advance!
Leann

Ideally it's the providers choice to retire, i.e .they aren't forced to leave the business because something bad happens.  I've seen that happen and it sucks... especially when it's because of negative experiences with clients.

When the retirement is voluntary, I've seen multiple cases where the provider let it be known (e.g. via the TER ads page) that they were retiring in X timeframe, which gives clients a chance for a farewell visit or two.  Sometimes the providers are clear they are no longer taking new clients, which is understandable, albeit disappointing for guys like those you mentioned who had you on their bucket lists for a long time.

Which is a reminder to us guys to not put off for too long a time seeing a provider who's on our radar screens... life is short.  

I really liked that she gave a nice amount of time so that if you want to see her but haven't, you have plenty of time to bump her up to the top of your priorities. That also gives those that aren't exactly local a chance to look at the calendar and try and work something out.

Edited twice because I can't type.

-- Modified on 4/7/2013 4:13:30 PM

-- Modified on 4/7/2013 4:15:12 PM

Public announcements two or three months in advance gives us enough time to work something out if I haven't met the lady yet. If I've been seeing someone, it's nice to be told privately. With some, they've given me new emails / phone #s and I've had the chance to see them while in semi-retirement...that's nice if it works out.

or end up contacting former clients and continue their lifestyle in a UTR manner.

Over the past several years the word retirement has been abused and used as a marketing gimmick. Personally I am less likely to see a provider once she announces her retirement or some sort of sabbatical. I see no benefit.

My preference is that any provider wishing to retire simply do so quietly without any sort of announcement public or private. A few have done it that way and I admire them for it. Finding out a favorite provider or one you intended to see just retired without your knowledge may hurt for a brief moment but in no time one gets over it and looks for a new flame to kindle

I do agree with something you implied in your post, let me expound on it, at least for me...

I have at different times in my long hobbying career had a "bucket list", but I find that once their retirement is announced, I am not one to come running.  I go into most meetings optimistically hopeful that a connection might be made that would entice me to want to come back.  If I knew going in that that was impossible, I am not sure I'd go see someone.

That being said though, there ARE some providers with that very reputation, that "dude, you gotta go see her at least once" thing.

If you truly have regulars--guys who see you on a regular basis and see mostly you--it might make sense to communicate privately to them as far out as possible, as a show of appreciation for their steady patronage.  But aside from the really steady regulars, I am not sure "the rest of us" are really an issue...  I mean, how much do you "owe" someone who has never come to see you?