I'm relatively new to the business (just got started in August) and I have had a rash of last minute cancellations lately.  I know this is old hat but I just would like to get some advice/suggestions from ladies AND gents for minimizing last minute cancellations and I'm NOT interested in charging a cancellation fee.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Ask for references and when you get the reference, ask if this particular client has ever cancelled last minute.  If so, then reject them.

Also, ask for deposits, but that is going to greatly cut down your volume.

Last minute cancellations are unfortunately a part of the game for both sides of the coin.  Eventually things will even out.  You might just be having a rough patch

I am sorry to hear that this is happening to you.  Having been on the other side I know how frustrating it is.

I agree with Mrfisher on checking references.

Personally I am not in favor of deposits for a 1-3 session.  I have had a NCNS by a provider as well as last minute cancellations.  With the NCNS I have serious doubts I ever would have gotten a deposit back.  Shit happens and I understand that.  I would be much less understanding if I am out money as well as time.

He is right that deposits will cut down on NCNS or last minute cancellations.  My question would be how many potential people do you now eliminate from the pool.  Of course you know what you want to make so it is possible that the deposit will still allow you to generate the level of income you are looking for

will not pay a deposit for a "regular" encounter; meaning 1 to 3 hours in length. I did it once and it was a PIA. If a guy gives a deposit and the provider has to cancel, is she going to get a green dot card and send him the info? Trust has to go both ways on this.  

I can totally understand a provider wanting a deposit for an overnight date or travel to see a guy, and possibly a dinner date if they haven't seen the client previously. But, not for a 1 or 2 hr. date.

So I definitely disagree with fishbro as well, but in my case I doubt there is anybody on TER that I haven't ever disagreed with before. lol

Fish, we are trying to help her cut down on no shows, not run her out of business. Do you have any idea how big a hit her business would take if she started demanding deposits for every appointment? She seems to already get this concept as she is not even in favor of charging cancellation fees.

Fish's idea about asking references about the reliability of her potential clients is most likely a good one, aside from that last minute cancellations seem to go with the territory, and it happens on both sides.

One other question to the OP, do you confirm your appointments the morning of the day scheduled?  If not, that could cut down on the last minute cancellations from guys who know that something has come up, but don't get around to letting you know until the last minute.

Thanks for the advice!  I definitely need to make a point to ask about cancellations from references.

Thank you GaGambler, I do confirm the day of and maybe since there have been a succession of cancellations it may appear to me that they are a new trend instead of just pure coincidence.  Thank you guys for helping me see it in a different way!!

and then sometimes you just run into a streak of bad luck that leaves you shaking your head thinking to yourself "not another one!!!"

I feel your pain, but you appear to be doing everything right, let's just hope it's nothing more than a bad run of luck that's run it's course.

A provider I have seen who was in her 50's at the time had a rule that seemed to work for her:

Starting at 7am she took calls for appointments that day.

That reduces the chance that a fellow was feeling horny the day before when he made the appointment and no longer does on the appointment day.  She took future day appointments only from proven regulars.

I never rebook a client that no call no shows me. I have a no show list a mile long they get no second chances. Although it still happens from time to time I eventually weeded out most of the bullshiters.  Once they have seen you around for awhile they will know you don't play that nonsense, and find somebody else to mess around with. unfortunately  it still happens! If you find away to cut it out completely sweetie let me know! Be safe sweetie  and good luck to you.

LOL, yep I'm going to put it into the cosmos that it's only a streak and will end shortly!!

Hey thanks for that girl!  I need to go ahead and make that list.  I try to give them the benefit of the doubt and some do reschedule but for the ones who don't now comes the Delaney Do Not See List!!  

BTW, I'm listening to Steely Dan's "Do It Again" right now as I write this and it's doing it for me man!  Oh yeah!! Just had to throw that in there!!

Say they make an appointment a week in advance, for Friday at 5PM. Once we've set everything up, I'll send an email saying 'I'll be in touch by Thursday afternoon to confirm.' On Thursday afternoon, I send the email. Only one time have I not heard back. In that case, I emailed him again that evening, saying 'Haven't heard...if I don't hear back by tomorrow 12PM I'll assume you've made other plans. Have a nice day.' If he still doesn't reply, I'd fire one off at 11:00AM just to give him one last chance (and cover my ass).  

Even if the appointments are booked with less lead time (say 24-48 hours), make sure they know that you will be in touch to confirm...and, if they don't reply, then no appointment.  

If these are same-day or especially last-minute requests, there's really nothing you can do. A high percentage of last-minute requests are made on impulse, and those guys do tend to be flakier. So if you're able, you could simply not accept same-day requests, or accept them very selectively...for regulars, or guys who sound like they are very serious about actually seeing you.

Also, if the guys seem really indefinite, or if they haven't done research on you (asking for rates clearly posted on your site, changing times constantly, setting things up over multiple emails in text-like fashion rather than being more efficient and doing it in a few emails - that can indicate ambivalence about keeping the date)...those are dates you might only want to take if you're already at your incall location and don't mind sitting around waiting for a date that might never materialize...

Hope this helps!

Thanks for that, it makes perfect sense.  I'm beginning to see patterns in the behavior of serious clients and time wasters!

I always confirm the night before and typically within a few hours or hour of the appointment. I realize that things do come up for people and have given up to two cancellations for regulars before I get concerned. References are helpful in learning red flags ahead of time, as mentioned by some of the others here. I also pay attention to any other signs of flakiness in my correspondence. The ones I feel concerned about cancelling or wanting to make schedule changes often, I be sure to get confirmations.  I'm always friendly and stay communicative.  Good luck!

I like to remind clients that I need them to confirm their appt 24 hrs in advance. otherwise,I can not cancel the room and will have to pay the Hotel Charges.