making an appointment.  I'm OK with that, and sometimes I've had real nice conversations with them.

Mostly however appointments are set up by email.  I do insist on them giving me a phone number at least a day before we meet so I can reach them or they me in case of a last minute hitch.

I enjoy making initial contact with a provider via email so that there are no misunderstandings re my contact info, my references, and the date/time of our appointment.  We will have plenty of time to talk when I see her, so phone contact is not required for me ....

"so, after the initial email which should include .......... AND most importantly the exact nature of his needs and interest in me in particular..

 I don't feel comfortable explaining my kinky interests via email.I am wary The National Enquirer might obtain a copy of my messages to you. I refuse to text. A golfing buddy got himself in a little bit of trouble with idiscrete texting.

when a provider WON'T use e-mail.

Pimps, robs, circuit girls, often won't use email, for a variety of bullshit excuses.

I prefer e-mail overall. However, I won't provide references unless I have spoken on the phone with the provider. That's just one of my 'things.'


HalfHour

This question is for the gentlemen and ladies how do you feel about Email Only as your intial contact to set up an appointment?Is it a red flag to some gentlemen if a phone number is not listed?Are you comfortable with this form of contact first?Forgive me if this question has been asked before but I am really curious.I am Email Only but after screening I do offer my phone number to have a quick conversation before meeting for the first time.The reason I ask is because most(not all)gentlemen that contact intially through email seem to be more serious than the gentlemen that call and want to set up something over the phone.Email Only has worked for me but a certain situation has made me question this.I had a gentleman that I kept in contact with via email all the way up to appt time attempted twice to call and leave a vm with my number for a quick chat before meeting.Gentleman claimed to never receive calls vm or nothing but could respond to emails.Right before appointment time cancels and says he is seeing someone else because the whole phone thing is weird to him.Huh?I was completely confused by this and after I guess seeing another provider contacts me back through email to apologize.First time that ever happened.

schedule the appointment via email, but they insist on a phone conversation prior to the meeting. They can get a feel for the client that they don't get via email. I don't think the absence of a phone number is a red flag, just the way some providers prefer to do business.

   Phone numbers in the beginning are best ONLY if you like last minute booty calls. Most ladies rightly prefer to do a little screening prior to releasing phone number and setting appointment.

  I'm confused with your post in one respect though. It seems that all may have been good until YOU initiated phone contact. I consider that a big nono unless it had been previously agreed to. Many guys and providers are married and/or have significant others. They may not appreciate unexpected calls.

  I totally get wanting to talk prior to meeting but that should be agreed on before making the call.

because I can leave a message any time convenient for me...  she can answer at her convenience...   once we approach setting a time, need to switch to phone.  
skb

email is the only option a gent has to initiate contact with me. i request certain very specific information in my ads, and expect to find that information in his initial email. one of those things is a personal phone number, so that i can call him (at a time convenient for him) and we can get to know one another. i do not accept "appointment" requests in an initial contact, because those are not the types of men i wish to attract (someone who wants a wham bam with a total stranger). so, after the initial email which should include his real name, age, race and a phone number AND most importantly the exact nature of his needs and interest in me in particular...then i will follow-up by email confirming a phone call and that starts a phone/email relationship where we each feel each other out and determine compatibility. then when everything feels right, a meeting is planned. and even then, i do not provide a phone number. i only provide a phone number to men i have seen and who wish to see me again (and again).

I also believe that a live phone number for both is required for the last mile up to the appointment.

I assume you're using the initial email only until someone is screened, and then they can email or call for future appointments.

I think it is important to be clear about communications up front. I think email only (no voice or text) is fraught with problems for both folks. An email only appointment requires the lady to provide her location further in advance. Maybe not an issue for repeat clients.

Also, often for email a lady relies on the hotel WiFi for her internet which may/may not work.

I had a recent encounter with my ATF that illustrates the pitfalls of modern communication devices: She was taking the train from NYC to the DC area for our meeting. She accidentally left her cell phone in the cab in NYC. I was unable to call her when I arrived and after some time was concerned about an NCNS. I happened to check my hobby email and had gotten an email from her explaining the situation. However, she was also having serious issues with her laptop connecting to the hotel WiFi network.

Yes, thats a case of email saving the day, but what if I did not have a smartphone and data plan?

I think any methodology can work, as long as everyone is clear on how to connect. I think the "email only for initial contact" is fine and maybe even a good idea. It sounds like the issue you had was not the initial part, but that he continued to use only email.

it's completely cold and impersonal...not me at all.

as for not wanting to explain your "kinky interests" via email, i have no clue what you're talking about. beyond the fact that i am not into "kink" of any kind, i would completely ignore any first-time email discussing sex or erotic activities period. by the nature of a man's needs and interests, i am talking about stuff like, "my wife of 20 yrs and i have had no intimacy in several years. i long for a kind touch and friendly voice," or "i spend all my time and energy giving to others. i would love to know what it's like to actually be taken care of for a change." you know, actual issues.

if a guy's interest in me don't extend beyond sex, then we won't be seeing each other.

can not always answer my (hobby) phone.

When I'm at home, my wife and kid are there. When I'm at work, my employees are there. I have no privacy most of the time and would have to make excuses to step outside to make hobby phone calls. I can check emails any time, anywhere.

Pesonally I refuse to fill out "contact forms" that require all sorts of personal info prior to speaking or contacting a lady by email. Some women adamantly insist on having such a form filled out in it's entirety before even acknowling a gentleman. This would defintely be a "deal breaker", but it happens all the time.

My advice is to do what you feel comfortable with, don't be intimidated into revealing any information you feel would be damaging to you. Do be considerate of a lady's wish not to be robbed, killed, or imprisoned, but be cognizant of the fact that this hobby is not without risk "on both sides"

Certain ladies will insist that "their was is the only way" nothing could be further from the truth. In all fairness, some men will insist that their way is also the only way, as with most things in life the truth is somewhere in between.

My ATF will not give out her phone #.  Says she never has.  Reportedly, this keeps her personal life and hobby life comfortably seperate.  All contact is via e-mail.  She calls me shortly before a meeting to confirm via a blocked # and has never let me down so I suppose I can't complain too much.