A post on another board got me wondering: do providers ever bump new or irregular clients if a regular suddenly calls?

I've never heard of this happening but that doesn't mean it doesn't.

I've only heard of that in the case that the new guy or his references/screening info was "okay" and still left a little question in the provider's mind.  OR in the case that a person requests a huge block of time and therefore she may clear her schedule for the 6 hour dinner/shopping date for the one or two 1hr appts.

Whether or not, if and when it happens in any particular just "depends".

It happens in all forms of business, why wouldn't it here?

Having said that, in this business it probably happens very rarely. I'm sure most providers will say it has never happened and that's probably true. When it does it's based on questionable references, etc on the first appointment or a large sum of money on the second (or some combination of both). Every provider has her own standards and "morals".

because who decides who is more important? To me we are all equal and we all deserve to be treated that way. Do I have favorite clients? Of course I do, but I wouldn't bump anyone to see one of my favorites or regulars.

I will walk the extra mile for my favorites or regulars like taking the time for him on my day off if I can or get up extra early if that is what he wants, but I would never bump anyone.

I am sure it does happen, because we are all different and we all have different views on life, but in my world, no matter where you come from, no matter who you are you will be treated like a genuine individual and with the same respect like anyone else.

Why? Because you deserve that. We all do.

Puss och Kram,
Swedish Anna

-- Modified on 11/25/2007 9:16:16 PM

I would never bump a scheduled appt with a new client if a regular called and wanted to schedule. If I had a regular that wanted me to do such a thing, he wouldn't be a regular any longer!!  I want the new guys biz just as much as a regulars.

And yes a regular got me bumped because he had a better offer, 4 hours versus one. The provider was straight up with me and I acquiesced to the deal because it made great $ sense for her. She rewarded me with a multiple hour date that turned into a great friendship. With the huge number of providers  you know it's got to happen more than goes reported, but I wouldn't hold it against someone if it makes economic sense.

I try to do a first come first served basis, but if a regular and a new friend are both asking for the same day and I haven't yet set up a time and day for them, I'll see the regular, of course. The new friend can see me at another day. For me, it's just less stressful because I know he's verified and we'll have fun.

I don't bump people, though, in favor of someone (even a regular) contacting me last minute.


Katie

I'm not a provider (obviously) so I can only judge based on my observations.

I think that the most frequent occurrences of bumping are solely due to the amount of money involved. A multi hour appt pops up and the guy who booked his one hour appt a week in advance gets bumped with a "dog ate my homework" excuse (if he gets one at all). Doesn't matter if the one hour guy is a regular or not, money talks 99% of the time.

But if the conflicting appointments are the same time & dollar amount, I think that most providers tend to display the opposite behavior towards regulars. The regular guy comes back week after week so she figures that he's happy with her services and will continue to return. But the new guy represents a potential new source of income so she'd keep the new client rather than showing any preference towards the regular. Presumably figuring that the regular client will spend his money with her anyway, but just rescheduled for a later time. So now she's got $$ from the new guy and $$ from the regular rather than just the regular.

you feel that 99% of the time the 'money talks' if you are not a provider? Not meaning to offend you in any manner at all though

Are so many of us truly so jaded by life and experience that we always think that money goes first?

Why is it that we feel that money has to be the sole reason and motivation to everything we do in life? Why can't it be life quality and trying to do the right thing?

My point is simply that not all of us are solely motivated by money only and I believe and I want to believe that there are more providers out there who is doing this because they like to make people happy and because they actually happen to like what they do and that money isn't everything in life.

Puss och Kram,
Swedish Anna

The NJ provider I'm a regular of bumps people all the time in order for me to get the time I want.  I tell her that she shouldn't but she does so anyway.

I've been with her to places and she'll call the guy(s) she has appointment(s) with and give some lame excuse about why she has to cancel last minute.

So, yes, SOME providers do play favorites if that's what you are asking.

Recently, a provider declined her next appointment so that we could spend some more time together.  (I wasn't paying for the time).  It was very sweet of her and I was touched, especially since she and I were both traveling, and it's not likely we would see each other again.  She is now in a little corner of my heart.

Yes, it is a business, but that does not mean that it is always cold and calculating.

Last year I called a lady I see in South Jersey to see if she was interested in meeting me in NYC for a multi hour romp the next night. She had been going back and forth with a guy who wanted the same night(she only sees one appointment a day)but was giving her a hard time about submitting her on line screening form. I told her that I was going to be in the city for a few days and we could do it on another night if she wanted to go ahead and book with the new customer. She called me back an hour later.  The guy had submitted the form and had references but she decided to see me instead based on our past time together, the fact that she knew she would have a good time with me and also the fact that the other guy had stalled for so long. I asked her a few months ago if she had ever ended up seeing the other guy and she told me that he booked and canceled with her twice so she doesn't answer his calls anymore.
Sometimes regulars do get priority, but sometimes it is with good reason...

Yes there is an absolute difference between bumping someone with a set, scheduled appt and someone that you are still going back and forth with trying to schedule. The second instance in my opinion wouldn't be bumping as his appt is not set yet.  So many gentlemen that want appts make almost like pulling teeth to accomadate them. If I did have a regular call and want to schedule and had another gentleman still up in the air, I of course would accomadate my regular. If my new friend had a set appt I don't believe I would cancel. My regulars are all very understanding and will work with me to set an appt that works for both of us. JMHO

Isn't that the expression? I would think that if the provider had a chance for a multiple hour engagement versus a single business sense would prevail.

I remember calling a provider once and asking for availablity that day and she informed she had already been booked for 4 hours I saw good for her and I would try her another day.

As far as regulars versus none regulars I am not so sure I would tend to believe that providers probably want to develope as many regulars as possible and would spend time cultivating new clients.  I guess if the ofcourse the client sounds like a cheap bastard like "Oh can I get a discount because I am such a nice guy" the provider would say no to him and book a steady regular with a constant income stream.

A regular client will reschedule or be flexible if he wants to see the provider.

Why do I feel that 99% of the time money talks? Because I've been in the hobby a long time and I'm not blind or naive. My comments are from first hand experiences.

Why can't it be life quality and trying to do the right thing?  I couldn't agree with you more. But the reality is that it is not like this.  

As for there being more providers out there that want to make people happy? This type of provider is on the endangered species list. A few years ago I wouldn't have thought the same way since there really were a lot of these types of providers out there, but the current state of the union is quite different.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm not making the rules, just playing by them

I found your comment intriguing:

"As for there being more providers out there that want to make people happy? This type of provider is on the endangered species list. A few years ago I wouldn't have thought the same way since there really were a lot of these types of providers out there, but the current state of the union is quite different."

Are you sure that the state of the world has changed, objectively speaking? Or could it be that your perceptions have changed over the course of (as a result of?) a few years in this life?

Just something to consider.


-- Modified on 11/26/2007 12:28:59 PM

I will never cancel on an hour appointment just to schedule a three-hour appointment. First, I was not raised that way. Second, it is underhanded and not good business if he were ever to find out. When I make a promise to someone I make a promise. So, that is why it gets aggravating to me when someone cancels on me at the last minute (or even 1 1/2 hours beforehand without a valid excuse), since I usually only take one appointment a day and don't work weekends. Money is great but a promise to see someone and schedule time with them is more important to me.

Hugs,
ciara

Yes! I agree that if you don't have a definite appointment, or the guy cannot get back to you soon about it, then someone else can take the spot. You can't wait forever in this business to hear back from someone if they cannot figure out their schedule. I usually tell someone, "I'll pencil you in but please get back to me ASAP because I get booked very quickly and may have to fill that time." I'll send him a reminder notice, but if he doesn't get back to me with a definite answer and someone else wants that day, then so be it. That's an entirely different setup.

Hugs,
Ciara

I am always open to meeting someone new with whom I may have ideal chemistry.  

You guys like NEW and so do we!

Smooches,
Cami~

it happened to me once.  i scheduled to meet with someone but she canceled on me saying she was a little sick.  i find out a few days later a guy she used to see that moved away was in town and she ended up seeing him.  now she's off the list and i have no more interest to see her.  i don't care that i was bumped, more that she lied for some reason thinking i would care instead of just saying "i can't see you today".

Regulars in my book do not get priority over a date that has ADVANCED BOOKING! If a client is trusting enough to send me a deposit, I will NEVER cancel unless it is for a real emergency, in which case he will get the deposit back no questions asked.

I have at times had new clients want to haggle over the deposit issue so I created ONE package that does not require it; however, IF ANY client, regular or not wants to submit a deposit for that same date, he will be given top priority.  

I feel I am taking a chance on someone I don't know, who could possible just be playing games and I cannot risk having that time set aside and being stood up.

I give  regulars the option of special rates over a period of time because I feel they have paid their dues and proved themselves to be great clients. They also have the option of booking with only 12 hours notice or less if I can accomodate them.

Our risks for taking on newbies are just like you guys taking on us without being sure we are legit. You cannot pass up a "might be" for a proven client.

That is why I had to start requring a deposit for multi hour dates. I have a full time career and a family so I CAN'T work whenever I want to. The time I set aside is very valuable to me and there are too many guys who feel that providers don't warrant a canellation fee if they cancel, don't show, or don't even bother to call if something comes up in their world.

Too many times we are deemed to be less important by SOME of the hobby and we have to take extra measures to secure our time.  Our regulars have PROVEN to be loyal and punctual but that does not mean they will get a booking that has been secured by a newbie.