Is no one reliable?……
The longer I’m in this hobby the more frustrating it becomes.  I’m sure the ladies say guys are huge flakes, and I’m sure plenty of them are, but I’m going to present discussion from my perspective and examine the non-professional flakes that I’ve had the misfortune to come across.

I've had last minute cancellations five times in the last two months and I'm sick of it.  The first one occurred in Vegas the day before our date after at least 2 wks of prep. Reason: that time of the month.  True or False? who can say for sure but it happens so I was forgiving.  The next one occurred TWO HOURS before our date in Portland after 2 weeks of prep including booking a hotel for the night, etc. etc.  Reason: said her boyfriend (who doesn't know of her extra-curricular activity) changed his work shift.  True or False? Again, who can say but to leave it until two hours before the date is unforgivable.  The third one occurred (Portland) ONE HOUR before the date having made the date the night before and completed everything she asked of me (email the minute you check in, etc.etc.).  I emailed her 4:00 and after no response left a voice mail for her at 5:00 followed by a text at 6:00, still no response.  She finally emailed me at 7:00 to say she couldn’t make it happen for our date at 8:00.  
These were all independent providers.  I was so fed up that for the fourth attempt I thought I’d try something I’d vowed against; the use of an Agency.  I chose a prominent Seattle Agency because I had read good things about them. And with ample notice (1.5 weeks) and multiple amiable emails as well as two pleasant phone conversations was instructed to call back one day:

“It was great to talk with you Friday night. Please call me directly tomorrow when you have a moment. We can go over all the necessary details then.  She would love to spend quality time this Friday with you.”

After three failed attempts to have my requested phone call answered on that fateful day, I left a pleasantly worded email requesting a time that would be more convenient for me to call.  The response I received both shocked and stupefied me and led directly to this writing.  The emphatic response I received was:  “I am no longer interested in booking this appointment.”  Period!
To say I was stunned is an understatement.  I then went so far as to inquire further as to why the sudden change of tone and plans and the response I received was that it was “just a vibe”,  followed by silence and refusal to interact any further.

“Just a vibe”, are you kidding me!  Isn’t that what the screening process is actually there for; so no one has to react on the “hunch” mentality?  Isn’t that the exact reason hobbyists provide references and providers request and verify those references?  To go from “it was great to talk with you and I look forward to seeing you Friday night” to “I’m not interested in booking this appt. because while I have not checked your references, I’m having a “vibe” moment”, is not only unprofessional but sounds a little unstable to me!

And the fifth was a repeat by #2 above!  I know, I know I should never have given her a second chance but when she initially cancelled she was willing to re-book, so I did …….  my mistake. She stuck me with another expensive hotel room, one that I booked on her recommendation because of proximity to her.  After preliminary emails in which she said all the right things:

“8pm works. What kind of things would you like me to wear or bring with me?  and  “Ok, sounds great.. I like white wine, thank you.  Looking forward!”

and upon informing her of what room I was in and asking for confirmation she simply went silent; wouldn’t respond to my communication and just plain didn’t show up, and has been silent ever since.  

Lack of professionalism aside there are certain common courtesies that seem to be lacking in this hobby that I would like to champion for change,… so Providers and Hobbyists alike, LISTEN UP!  

1) if you ask someone to call you, PICK UP or otherwise REPLY!  COMMUNICATE!
2) if you don’t like the sound of their voice or the tone of their emails tell them up front you are uncomfortable with them and tell them WHY!  A little communication can go a long way. A little reference checking can go even further!  Hobbyists have reviews, Providers have references ….. USE THEM!
3) if you make an appt. …… KEEP IT! Do not cancel after the other party has gone to great and costly lengths to make sure the appointment is a pleasurable experience for YOU!  (obviously certain emergent situations can apply here, use common sense)

I’m sure I will get bashed for one thing or another as almost all forum posts seem to deteriorate into ridicule rather than focusing on the expressed concern but …. I NO LONGER CARE!  So go ahead and take your best shot.  As long as someone is listening and things are getting better and not worse any abuse I might have to endure will be worth it.  That is all ……. for now.

ps:  While it is not my policy to publicly bash anyone or any entity, in the name of change/betterment/improvement I will gladly provide you the names of the principals involved in this post upon request.

I am sorry to hear that you had such of a hard time.  

Things happen sometimes, and I actually made a bad mistake recently on a great guy by noting our time on the wrong date.  I felt terrible for him when he called and I was not ready or even anywhere near to my location, and offered to make it up to him by sharing 2hrs for gift of 1 hour.  Once we did meet, I liked him so much he stayed for three!  You never know what you might be missing when you diss people like that.  

I only have one question because it does seem odd that you were cancelled so many times.  Did you in anyway say anything that may have compromised the situation?  I can't imagine having that happen over and over as it did without something sending up a red flag.  I know that sometimes bad things come in waves but this story is quite extreme.

Jenni

I had that very thought, that I was saying or doing something out of the ordinary to make someone feel uncomfortable but there's no way.  I'm extremely cautious about discussing anything inappropriate and never have nor ever will say anything inappropriate.  All communications were very amiable and pleasant. I'm a total gentleman at all times.  As a matter of fact I was booking a couples date each of these times so I cannot for the life of me figure these out.  And we are so gunshy now that we've decided to just forego for awhile.  What a lose-lose for everyone.  With a little COMMUNICATION none of this would have had to happen.

I notice that you are posting from two separate user names.
Were you also contacting the Ladies from multiple email accounts or phone numbers?
Sometimes that can give a Lady a vibe.
Sorry for your frustrations.

= red flag. I would suggest you respond to Cindy.

No, I wasn't using two emails or names and that other alias (in this post) was just an oversight while experimenting with the features of this site.

this seems to happen a lot as a provider actually, too....  and I really hate it when they cancel 5 min before the appointment....