June is a slow month. School activities at year end keep parents home and busy; school letting out keeps parents shuffling kids back and forth; and summer vacations send people away.

So, the debate in SD is who gets more business and why (regardless of whether it's 'slow' season) - those who pick up their phones; or those who have messaging systems and return calls and/or choose email?

I do the latter, and much prefer it. Who wants to be a slave to the phone, and have ridiculous conversations all day long, weeding out or getting rid of 80% of the calls? I tried it three weeks ago, for three weeks and was aghast at how many don't have a clue, or can even carry on a one-minute conversation! Also, I was surprised how many people wanted same day appointments! Don't most people plan their weeks the week before? (I do)Screening, and preparing for an appt. takes time and planning and can't always be thrown together in an hour! And just driving time to whatever incall location I'm using, takes at least 45 minutes depending on the time of day!
Then, too, there's this sudden large number of guys who refuse to give you any information! And can't understand that you won't see them unless you can verify them! So, I changed my paging message to send them to my Appointment Form on my website or to email me the information so that we can be more efficient with our time and planning. Do guys really think we'll see them with no information other than a first name? Why would anyone think that??
Those who provide the information, with the greatest ease and the quickest get top priority, and have always proven to be the best dates, and the best time.

So, I ask - do you think your business is better because you answer the phone; think it's slower because you don't? Think your clientele is better or worse for either?
Guys, do you see ladies moreso who answer their phones, or less who don't? Why do you prefer one or the other; it makes no difference?



 

I just returned after a year's hiatus and got my first new review and have had a tremendous response. I've gotten over a dozen phone calls and nearly TWO dozen e-mails. I do state on my webpage that all new clients should e-mail but not everyone saw it I suppose.

I agree with you, Sedona. I have a family, school, other responsibilities and it is very difficult for me to talk freely on the phone. The times that I have tried to return calls it's generally a day or two later and I've gotten some rude responses and hang-ups when I have called.

I understand a man's desire to see someone "right now" - after all, when you're in the mood and can get away, you want to do it right now, not later. But since I can never see more than 2 people a day, and rarely ever a same-day appt (even for regulars) it's hard for me to accomodate these people.

So to answer your question, I'm sure business is slower because I don't answer the phone but I do think the clientele is better. I enjoy having e-mail conversations for a few days or so before the appt, it builds the suspense and helps me "get to know them" a bit in a very old fashioned way, sort of how it must have been in the old days when the only form of communication was the written word. I enjoy reading e-mails from some of my more witty, literate clients and it really makes me anticipate meeting them all the more.

MM

For escorts I have seen before, I much prefer to use a phone method of communication simply because my schedule results in only an hour or so my availability without much advance notice.  So for me the ability to pick up the phone for a same day appointment is invaluable for me personally.

As to escorts I have not seen, The email method works for me because I do understand the need for screening, etc.

Of course I am very capable of "carry[ing] on a one-minute conversation" and in fact probably can talk with you for much longer if wanted.

Most of my experience has been through sending an email and then contacting by phone later when a time to call has been agreed with by both of us.  This way we do not play phone tag and waste time.  

I just want a response by either email or phone within a day or two of first contact.  If that does not happen, then I forget about setting up anything with that person and look for someone else.  I try to avoid same day appointments since I am lucky enough to know in advance when I will be free.

A suggestion for you might be just to contact only those who provide the needed info.  State it on your site that without the info, they will not be called back.  You probably do and some just do not take the hint.  I have noticed some women that only give out their phone number after the initial email with needed information arrives.  

Good luck!

I try everyday M-F to answer my phone between 9am-10am. I notice that this helps to schedule my calendar about 3 days out. When I e-mail a client I do let them know when I will be available on the phone to talk.
If I have time I try to answer all my calls and usually I will direct them to TER newbie section or to e-mail the information because i am driving etc.

I am not sure that there is a correct answer here! I do know that I will not see anyone without the information need or a reference.

kisses & licks...........
mara of san diego

First, establish a no-haggle policy and stick with it. Don't for a minute engage a guy in conversation if he isn't giving you the right message. As for phone, VM is best... In that way, you control your life and activities and not the other way around... I think the linchpin is being timely. If a guy calls, return the call in the shortest possible time. Now if you are "busy," I think most of us can wait and they cannot, say "next." If my provider and I hit it off and "we" want to establish a regualar date night, I ask for the special number or work out an e-mail message that she responds to pretty quickly. Like an earlier post said, you are not the type that wants to "rent" herself to just any fool for the night, so keep your standards high and you'll find that those of us not afraid to be real will riSE to the occasion.

Actually I do both.  If there is a particular provider that I want to see I would comply with her preference.  I generally
do not make appointments in the spur of the moment.  If I did I guess it's obvious that a phone call would be easier.

-- Modified on 6/18/2004 8:48:38 PM

If your business slows down enough, you will be picking up the phone, whether you think it's ridiculous or not.  Obviously you are missing some opportunities, but you don't appear to need them enough right now or think it's worth your effort.

Just as Circus clowns will never get along with Birthday party clowns so too will multi-hour GFE providers always clash with the immediate gratification "same day" providers.
That said; It should be easy to understand why "picking up" is favored by those looking for "same day" and messaging works fine for the planned dinner date clients.
  In respect to getting more business during the slow periods. I would venture to say it is the lady that can be flexible and market to both hobby groups; She is the one who will prosper.

  Cm.

I can fully understand why a provider would choose to return messages rather than taking live calls.

Frankly, I prefer to establish some kind of rapport via email first.  That way, when the phone interview begins, there's a higher level of comfort on both ends.

The point made above, though; that men often want their appointment on the spur of the moment, is well taken.  Before I was able to establish the relationships I now have with several independant providers (some of you may remember one friend of mine lived in my spare room for several months), I dealt with my sudden urges by calling a reputable agency (is that phrase an oxymoron?) and having my love du jur delivered within an hour or two.

Was I ever disappointed?  Yes, a couple of times.  But by and large, the agency ladies were very nice.

Before I hired my assistant, I used email contact primarily to make appointments. I did not give out a phone number until the appointment was confirmed.  Now I have an experienced helper who answers a phone 9-5 every day (as well as checks the mail). It's great!

I've noticed I've picked up several "phone only" kind of guys. Based on that, I think if one was a phone person (which I'm not), the phone would provide a better source of clients than email. With the phone, I can now have some same day appointments (even for new clients), which was rarely possible with email only.

The guys who make the same day appointments are also more likely to cancel, but overall phone contact has been very helpful for my business.

The guys don't ask her inappropriate sexual questions about me, and she says they don't waste her time. It's a friendly but businesslike conversation.

True, I do miss the personal communication and rapport I used to have when I did my own email, but I find that I can get up to speed when meeting a new guy in the first few minutes of conversation.

For me, the upside of prompt communication (whether by phone or email) greatly overrides the downside of missing that personal touch. I think the guys would have to agree, as my regulars have stayed with me and I am as busy as usual.

Given my 'druthers all providers would pick up the phone first the time I called.  But I neither expect nor demand that.  I understand full well the amount of time that can be wasted dealing with jerks and people who can't or won't read, and that many providers refuse to deal with that at all.  So generally I'll go along with anything within reason that the lady prefers.  

Cynicalman described two kinds of hobbyist.  There's a third kind, those of us who are both at different times.  If I plan to see a popular, well reviewed provider I'm pretty sure she won't answer the phone, and even if she does I still have to plan a date well ahead of time.  But there are times when I want it NOW, not a week from next Thursday and I doubt I'm alone in this.  OK, this cuts down on the possibilities, but there are still choices.  

On the other side, there is a variety of 'business models' among providers.  Some have been very successful dealing with the 'within the hour' group.  Others prefer to plan their calanders in advance and take the time to screen thoroughly (whatever that means to each of them).   Is one right and the other wrong?  I don't think so, they're just targeting different markets.  

I'm pretty sure you would get some extra business by directly answering phone calls.  I'm also pretty sure that the marginal increase would not be worth the cost to your peace of mind and general well being.  In the end, the only thing that really matters is your own comfort zone.

Sedona asks a very good business question.  I too have been in the hobby for about 2 years with frequency based on descretionary income, usually once a month.  Only once did I make a "spur of the moment" decision.  Yes, it was a disapointment.  

Most times I'll plan at least a week or more in advance with e-mail contact and then eventually phone contact.  Most of us can't always talk on the cell when a call comes in--it's called a job.  As someone else stated, prompt communication is the key.  If an e-mail goes unanswered in 48-72 hrs., I'll move on.  If I call to confirm 24 hrs. in advance, I expect a call back, even it its VM, to confirm from the lady.  Finally, a call the day of when the provider is en-route is a nice touch which helps prevent the anxiety of a "no show" on her part.

could be illuminating to provide a different perspective. First, I should point out that I agree wholeheartedly with you that it is entirely your prerogative to ask whatever questions you wish of potential customers, and only see them if you feel comfortable with their replies. However, from your comment, "…do guys really think we’ll see them with no information other than a first name? Why would anyone think that??" it is evident that you only see this matter from your own narrow perspective. Although you and some other commercial companions may not see asking someone’s last name and employment information as intrusive, the fact of the matter is, many men find that this more than crosses the line, and it becomes a personal privacy issue. For as much as you criticize men for not respecting your right to pose questions, the second part of your comment illustrates your equal disregard for men who don’t wish to provide this information. Many men think that don’t need to provide this type of information, because the majority of paid ladies indeed only require a first name and cell number. You need to broaden your thinking and be somewhat more understanding and receptive of different perspectives.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of your business, it is subject to certain feelings of distrust and apprehension. Some commercial companions feel that the way the laws are written, they are particularly vulnerable and that the playing field is tilted in favor of the customer. To feel more protected and minimize this feeling of anxiety, these paid ladies then request certain personal information from customers. By doing so, these commercial companions now know more personal information about the customer than the customer knows about the lady. As a result, many men see that instead of leveling the field, these questions have now totally shifted it in favor of the lady. Since an unleveled field is totally unacceptable to you, then you of all people should understand why certain men would also find an unlevel field as being unacceptable.

The only way to have a true level field is for both parties to give up equal information. Just think about it for a moment, if the paid lady and customer each exchanged full name, birthdate and social security number then they would have equal information about each other. What do you say Sedona, do you believe in equality? Willing to give up that information if the customer is willing?  If you don’t find this as an acceptable idea then you best come to grips with the fact that there is no solution. There is a stalemate. Learn to live with it. The fact is, the paid ladies that require screening will continue seeing only those men who don’t feel it’s personally intrusive to give her the information she requests, and the other ladies who just ask for first name and cell number will see those men who don’t want to give up any more information.

Regardless of how many times a screening-related grievance pops up on the discussion boards; it will never get much beyond this.

Hi,

I just wish for a prompt response for e-mail or phone call, whatever is best for the provider.

I also want to say, Sedona is very right about this..Those who provide the information, with the greatest ease and the quickest get top priority, and have always proven to be the best dates, and the best time.

I'm very glad I gave any info needed to Mara and Sedona....

Just me,
1dogg12











-- Modified on 6/20/2004 7:16:48 AM

Having set up an appointment with Chrissy I can confirm that her assistant is friendly and prompt.  It was very easy to set up an appointment with her assistant and all information transferred promptly in both directions.

Nevermind.

-- Modified on 6/20/2004 6:59:42 AM

...with a touch of subtlety and somewhat understated.
It may have gone over his head though.

When are some guys going to accept that women are far more vulnerable in this activity?

There seems to be this "logic" employed by some that those providers who screen are going to miss out on "great guys"(implied) who choose not to give the required screening info.

Somehow I don't think those of you who require reasonable screening
info loose any sleep over missing out on such self proclaimed "great guys" (their implied self description).



-- Modified on 6/20/2004 9:10:04 PM