Dear Readers,
The continual whining about no-shows never ceases to amaze me. Face facts, no-shows are a part of the business, and they are outside of your control. Do I agree that they are frustrating as hell? Sure. Do I agree that it represents lost time for the hobbiest? Sure. But be realistic, rather than kvetch, get proactive, understand the underlying reasons, and then work to mitigate your risk. Consider what kind of hobbiest you are, and how this affects your no-show rate. Are you:
1) Anal-retentive Researcher versus Roll-the-bones: Do you pore over the message boards, scrutinizing every word of every review, trying to understand every fine nuance of the session and/or provider before you book? Or do you pin the back pages of the weeklies to the wall and throw darts to find your date? Decent information exists, find it. Not all sources are perfect, but they will help you avoid the no-shows.
Edge: Researcher
2) Incaller versus Outcaller: Which do you use most often? It is very easy for a woman to no-show an outcall at a hotel/motel, but virtually impossible at an incall. (Although Ashley of Spokane can pull this off! LOL). Edge? Incaller.
3) Active Poster versus Lurker: Are you a local regular or are you an anonymous lurker? It is easier to no-show someone who does not post than one who does. Naturally, a provider will be more responsive if they know they are meeting an active poster, as they risk a negative post. Whereas the lurkers will eat the no-show and continue to lurk. Edge? Active Poster.
4) Local versus Visitor: Similar to the 3), if you are local, and your provider knows it, she may be more accountable, knowing that you might post, or try to call again, or at least let your local friends know about her poor service. An out-of-towner, who visits once a year? Easy to no-show. Edge? Local.
5) Agency versus Independent: Which do you use? Agency women are
accountable, if they don't show, they won't be at the agency for long. Pre-session, they have to maintain contact with their agency, and often you, so logistics are usually smoother. Independent women have less accountability. The only accountability they have is reputation created through reviews on the boards and private information sharing, and often no-shows go unreported due to the general unwillingness of hobbiests to post criticism. Edge? Agency.
6) Type A versus Easy-come-easy-go: How much does a no-show bother you? Do you fly into a rage and trash your hotel room a la Eddie Vedder if your date doesn't show? Or do you turn on the shopping channel, crack a brew, and buy some cubic zirconium for your wife with your newly released funds? Figure out your own tolerance level for no-shows. Edge: EZ cum EZ go.
7) Book in advance versus short notice: Booking in advance means many things can change for the provider between the time you book, and the time of your date. Even if she doesn't no-show, she may need to cancel. If you call on short notice, she'll either be able to do it, or not. Either way, you'll know immediately, and the dissapointment will be minimal. Edge: Short Notice.
So who will be LEAST affected by no-shows? From above, here is the optimum profile: The hobbiest who does his homework, does mostly incall, sticks with agencies, is an active poster, is a local, has a mellow attitude, and books on short notice.
Naturally, we can't (and don't want to) all be like this. To each his own way of hobbying. But if you find yourself on the extreme end of one of these items (ie, you don't use the boards) it pays to try to become a little more like the "optimum", especially if you find yourself continually getting no-showed.
As far as discounts or "freebies" go as recompense, don't expect
anything. If she emails or calls with a compelling story, and really wants to make things right, great, otherwise move on. Frankly, she doesn't owe you anything, rather you owe it to yourself to understand your risk as a hobbiest, and be prepared.
I always have several backups (that are sure-fire) if my main event doesn't come through. That way, I can make a quick call and have a nice time elsewhere in spite of the no-show, and I'm not sitting around all evening with my thumb up my ass, staring at the phone, fuming at the provider.
Finally, post your experiences. No one can learn about who tends to no-show if you don't. Don't feel badly for your negative post, the information helps all of us, including the offending provider. She may feel pressured to work harder at it in the future. If she genuinely cares, your post will help her business in the long run. If she is a great provider but is just notoriously flaky and doesn't care, fine, at least we all understand the risk in booking her.
To conclude, if you have a profile that is high-risk for no-shows, adjust your behavior and/or expectations accordingly.
Have fun, stay safe, and leave the lights ON!!
Iceman
