I haven't been an active participant on these boards for quite some time. The reasons being part not really being active in the hobby much, attendance at a couple of meet and greets the extent of involvement with ter for the past year, and also an injury issue which made "playing" not doable. But the injury problem has abated somewhat and so I thought to try the waters again. The following experience made me remember another reason why I stepped away from the hobby, the aggravation that can come from dealing with the people in the biz. Let me say up front that I understand both hobbyist and providers will "no show." This recent experience though went beyond anything I've ever encountered and that made me want to share the story.
As I said, I understand about no shows and came to the understanding years ago to let "no show" experiences roll off my back. Just walk away and move on. But again this one went beyond anything else.
I made an appointment last week with the agency representing Isabella Cox who was visiting NYC this week. My initial appointment was for 90 minutes on Tuesday nov 17 but because of travel issues I had to adjust the appointment to an hour but kept the same time. I sent an email Monday night as soon as I got in from the west coast informing about the need to adjust the appointment. I got a reply early Tuesday morning that the adjustment had been made and asking if I was confirming the appointment for that day as I was supposed to do. I replied yes I was confirming. The person then sent the location of the hotel where the provider was staying. I then emailed back making sure what phone number to text before the appointment, as two were listed. The person replied again with the correct number.
Throughout the day I checked my email and text for any further communication regarding the appointment. None was sent. I checked one last time before leaving for the appointment which was in about forty-five minutes. Again nothing.
In transit to the appointment I checked the phone and had received a text which stated unfortunately because I did not confirm for that day's appointment I was being charged 150.00. That text was sent at 3:53 or about thirty five minutes before the appointment. I responded that I did confirm and was even sent the location. No response. I sent another text asking "do I still have an appointment?" Finally a few minutes later I got another text saying there was a mistake and disregard the previous text. I then sent another text asking if I still had an appointment. Nothing. Finally, I get a text saying the provider hadn't even checked into the hotel yet. Okay, this was about twenty minutes before the appointment. So not only did this agency want to charge me 150.00 for not confirming but wanted to charge me for an appointment with a provider who wasn't even in town. Heck of business don't you think. And given that they had text me with the late fee only ten minutes before they had to know the provider wasn't in town when informing me of the charge. They sent another text asking if I wanted an appointment when the provider arrived. I had enough, I didn't respond and started back to the apartment. Surprise, I get another text, the provider had just got to hotel would I like to see her between 4:45-5:00. Now this is almost 4:40. Funny, she just showed up. I responded this is going to get a ter post. Guess what their response was? "oh please call us." Too long of a post I know, but the moral of this story be very careful if dealing with this provider and agency.
So that's part one. Part deux.
The person running this agency emails me and is profusely apologetic and offers me an one hour complementary appointment. At first, I didn't take her up on it, but then reconsidered and made an appointment for Sunday night with the same Isabella Cox, supposedly visiting NYC, I mentioned that even though it was a comp I was going to take care of the provider with an appropriate tip.
I was traveling but made sure to confirm early Sunday morning about the appointment. My initial email went unanswered and I emailed again to confirm about 90 minutes later from the airport. Half hour later still no reply. I landed in NYC and checked my email. There is an email from the agency asking if I received the appointment info, which I had while in flight. I responded and confirmed.
Jump to Sunday night at the locale and time of the appointment. You see this coming don't you. I'm outside the hotel and text of my arrival for the 10pm appointment. The time is 9:57. I'm a prompt dude. Two minutes later there is an answer, "okay one moment please." So I'm waiting. At 10:09 there is another text, "will send you up in a moment sorry about that." See the pattern, "moment." By 10:17 there is still nothing. I wrote and sent a text at 10:18 saying I guess this is payback for me being upset about Tuesday for the agency wanting to charge me for an appointment with a provider who wasn't even in town, No reply. At 10:19 I wrote "I'm gone." At 10:21 there is a text saying, "her phone was the problem and that was the reason for the delay." I didn't answer because I'm lucky enough to get a cab at that time and place,midtown, so I'm out of there. 10:21 another text, "oh, please come back she's in room ______ the door will be slightly ajar." "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, but a third time will never be."
I answered, "waited almost 25 minutes. halfway home. Leave me alone." Another text from them saying, "I sent you a text at 10:19- a lie it was 10:21 and after I had sent the text, "I'm gone." The rest of her text said, " I texted you earlier that her phone was the issue" - again a lie, none of the previous texts mentioned a phone issue, only the instructions to wait a "moment." Her phone was the problem, right. Let's see they know her room number and name,but couldn't call the hotel operator to get ahold of the provider. Maybe there is a provider rule about not using the hotel for contact,but I mean this is kind of a unique circumstance.
Was I stupid not to initially put the post up about the first scheduled appointment for Tuesday yes. But it didn't seem worth the effort. "Let it go and move on." And I questioned its value given I don't frequent the boards or the hobby much anymore. Was I stupid to believe there was going to be compensation in the form of a free appointment, oh yes. But I believe that people are good at their word. Was I stupid in wasting almost 80 bucks in cab fare, yep, so go ahead post all about me being such an idiot.
but understand the consequences of scheduling or having anything to do with this agency or the provider Isabella Cox. The red tease.me agency is scary.
According to their site they have another provider due in the city today November 23 and another on November 30. Be very cautious who you are dealing with here.
Going back underground.