What is the normal fee associated with cancelling a one hour appointment 24-36hrs beforehand?  
Does it depend at all on the reason for cancelling or how much the rate is

ZERO.

The reason is immaterial.  

I've never canceled that close, but have had 2 different ladies do so. I've also have a NC/NS. Did I get a discount next time? Nope.

Why was there a next time after a NCNS?

To the OP:

There are no set policies regarding this issue.

So they can fill the spot. Not all providers are sitting around waiting for your call and sometimes that time slot is the only one they can work with. Although things do come up it's important to be courteous to the provider. Cancellation fees are in place because of time wasters and believe me we'd rather not have to deal with the headaches of these types but it tends to keep the nonsense at a minimum. Whatever the excuse is being honest is the best policy, things do happen and we appreciate the heads up. Cancellation fees should be covered on their website.

I didn't reschedule with her. Or either of the two ladies that canceled last minute.  

So how can you expect a discount?! Some will gladly make it up if you give them the chance. If you don't you can't claim what you just said.

-- Modified on 4/5/2015 12:43:43 PM

...with it. Giving plenty of notice may mean no fee at all because she may be able to fill the slot with someone else. Her site should have this info on it.

…and come up with all kinds of excuses to why they’re justified in doing so!  

As far as normal fee for cancellation; I’m sure it’s debatable because of the spread of fees that providers charge by the hour. But if based on percentage of total fee agreed to, there is a common one used in the business world: 25 percent.  

With that said, I’d seriously take into consideration the fairness of the game. Like what do clients get when the same happens to them, from short noticed cancellations to no-shows? Bruised ego? Perhaps, but also someone who has wasted their time. But providers, besides the possible same thing, it’s mostly the lost income that’s the inconvenience and maybe set-back, even when the cancellation fee is not paid. Yet, question the legitimacy of the livelihood?  

Anyway, I have learned that short notice cancellations to no-shows goes with the territory; so best to suck it up and move on; both parties. I believe there is an ebb and flow to life and both client and provider will make it up (however unexpectedly) at a later date

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If someone is proving to be awkward in making arrangements and seems to be switching and changing plans/ times etc... I would probably ask for a deposit to dissuade time wasters. I don't usually charge a cancellation fee if the reason is in good time and genuine. If someone was a constant canceller then I would choose not to communicate with them any longer. x

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In my case (and in the case of other ladies i know), I only charge if someone wants to re-book with me in the future, and if they cancel with less than 24 hour notice.  I send confirmation emails prior to that 24-hour window, so if someone returns the email with a cancellation, there's no fee for that cancellation/rebooking.  If someone pulls a NCNS and then tries to rebook with me, I'll often times ask for 50% of the previous session before scheduling with them a second time.  I never expect to get paid that amount, but on a few occasions a NCNS has redeemed themselves and followed through.  

Canceling before a 24-hour window is always okay by me.

If I ever have to cancel, I offer more time or a discount upon a rebooking within a reasonable time period.

-- Modified on 4/5/2015 8:22:22 PM

I have only cancelled twice. I also re-scheduled at the same time. No cancellation fee necessary. If your canceling 24 or more hours in advance I don't think it should be an issue. Anyways, always be courteous and let your hooker know as soon as possible. By the way how exactly do you pay a cancellation fee

To be clearer,

I did contact the NC/NS. She offered to reschedule without alluding to "making it up to me".  It didn't matter, I had scheduled with another in between. I wasn't particularly upset about it.

One was a traveling lady, that waited until the last minute to tell me that she wasn't making the trip because so many guys canceled. She was in a different state, so we didn't reschedule. I was slightly miffed because she could have told me earlier, and I had to scramble to find another date. I did. No big deal.

Other one, claim truthfully or otherwise that she got her period. How could I be mad?

I may well attempt to reschedule with all or none. I don't hold a grudge. Shit happens.

I agree my use of discount wasn't appropriate though her emailed said reschedule, not "make it up to you".

 

I don't charge a cancellation fee. If you need to cancel, you shouldn't be penalized for it.  Just be courteous enough to cancel as soon as you know.  However....if you make a habit of it, I won't be available to you. I don't try to fill the time that was set aside for you if you do cancel...I just lose the donation for that time.

As you stated [50%] cancellation “…is in line with other businesses' policies like spas, rental car companies, hotels, airlines, and some nicer restaurants.”  

The car rental company I went through would charge me 25% cancellation, and the company I work for charges 25% cancellation custom order. They do not charge any cancellation if it is stock order, and I’m talking product. (So two examples given from my personal experience)  Yet, I do not know where you get the 50% cancellation being the standard? Anyway, a company that values customers and potential repeat business will not charge up to 50% cancellation to begin with.

Now, I understand you gave your personal experience on how you were charged 50% cancellation fee. I say, shame on that company for doing that to you. They deserve a bad rap, and remember, the squeakily wheel gets the grease, sometimes. The more negative reviews a company gets, the more they’ll have to make adjustments to stay in business. Remember, customer is always king or queen. (Unfortunately, some have lost sight of it, but not the smart ones!) Although, it reminds me, how funny it is on how reviews are received on TER.

Although, in the provider business when it comes to cancellation it’s different, and if you can get 50% to 100%  cancellation fee paid to you in your line of work; kudos to you. Sometimes, people will pay what you ask them. On the other hand, it’s understandable that providers charge high cancellation fees in hope of not ever doing business with that prospect again. Then there are those who complain that they’re not getting enough business, and there may be good reason for it!

Least any forget, it’s a condition of ebb and flow and adjustments will eventually have to be made at some point. It is not a static world we live in

When you have only two providers and 20 hobbyists. Big cities with many providers and visiting providers, cancellation in 24 hour advance or within reasonable time would suffice.

Had cancel a couple times and never paid any cancellation fee.  

Not that complicated.

I only canceled once, due to the fact that there was an unexpected emergency the night before, I had to take someone to the hospital, and therefore I didn't get home from that place until 8 hours later.   I sent a text to the provider at 4 am to let her know that I wouldn't be able to see her at noon that day.  I couldn't call her on the phone from where I was (because people would have overheard my conversation), and the time of day wasn't appropriate for a phone call either.  

However, I rescheduled for the following day instead, the provider was fine with it.  I didn't pay any cancellation fee.  If she was going to want a cancellation fee on top of her rate for the session, I wouldn't have seen her.  It was just a provider who sees clients at her home, she didn't rent a hotel room or anything for the purpose of meeting me.  If she did, that would be different.

On the other hand, I have to say that over the years various providers have canceled with me many times at the last minute for various reasons or no reason at all, most of the time after I was already driving to their place.

I understand that I am one of the few providers who asks for a 25% deposit on ALL dates. If a gent has to cancel and gives me at the minimum 10-12 hours notice of cancellation then I am happy to hold the deposit and apply it in full to a future date booked within 90 days. In rare cases I will even apply it towards a date 6 months down the road. Thus, the deposit is not lost and I feel my policy is very reasonable. If however someone cancels  prior to meeting and I have already used the deposit towards booking my travel and hotel accommodations for our meeting and these costs are non-refundable, then the deposit is lost and I cannot help the client recoup his costs.  

--Sitara

Only I ask for 24 because that's what my Dogsitter asks for before I have to pay her if I cancel.
I always offer a discount or more time.
On my recent trip back home I postponed a date a day because the jet lag hit me. It was a multi hour date, so he had 24 more hours of anticipation (part of the fun) and $100 extra dollars to spend on other fun things.

Fair is fair.

….waive a cancellation fee or at least get compensated in some way.

I know it is off topic to what providers look for in cancellation fees, but perhaps some ideas in attached link after booking a hotel with those policies in place can help in negotiating a better deal. (It applies to both providers and clients in same situation.