I have been on both ends of the session cancelation issue in the past 30 days.  A few weeks ago I had a provider cancel on me the day of our appointment and I can admit now that is really bothered me.  So much so I was not planning on rescheduling with her.  I think the most disappointing aspect was that I had arranged our meeting 2 weeks in advance and confirmed the day before.  By the time I received the cancelation it was too late to schedule anything else that day.

However, this past weekend I canceled an appointment same day (about 1 hour before).  I wont get into my reason here let's just say it was unavoidable.  This is someone I really wanted to see and still do.  I am just thinking that she probably feels about the same way I did - disappointed even cheated.  Because I did schedule the appointment a week in advance and I did confirm the day before.

What's the best solution now?  Should I offer to pay a cancelation fee, beg for forgiveness, or move on to another provider (worst possible option).  Needless to say my opinion of cancelations has changed radically in the past 48 hours.

There's been a lot of chatter about the lose/ lose scenario of cancellations. It sucks both ways, no doubt. Explain your situation by email, phone or however your comfortable. After you feel as though expressed yourself, then ask her if she would consider scheudling with you.

She'll say Y or N. If she say Yes, just hope she doesn't cancel on you. If she says No, then just ask a simple follow up question.

"By no, do you mean no for now or no forever" Her answer to that will let you know how pissed she is.

Look, you called first. Even though it was VERY late. With a NCNS, I wouldn't really pursue it because that's creepy.

Good Luck

B

Great post!

I have had to cancel for all sorts of reasons out of my control.  Here’s a few:

1) I have had my super magically appear to fix things in my apartment- and since my building shares this man with 3 other buildings, you have to take what you can get.  It may be another 2 months before he returns.
2) I have bitten my lip trying to wolf down a bite before an appointment.  I would think it would be obvious why I wouldn’t want to see a client then- for the same reason I don’t BB.
3) Surprise visits from family that doesn’t know what I do- YIKES!
4) Travel snafus- anything from missed planes to getting trapped across town and not being able to catch a cab because it started raining.

When I do have to cancel I always offer either a sizeable discount or an extra time on a future appointment.  It’s the least I can do for messing up someone’s plans for the day.

When I have had clients cancel on me- I am sympathetic.  As long as I get a call of some sort, I will be happy.  I have had gents bring me big bouquets of flowers, my favorite candles, even a scone and coffee to make it up to me.    I even had a poor guy leave his cell phone on the subway platform- how’s he supposed to call me when he arrives in my area?  He was 20 minutes late but very resourceful, he found an internet café, my number via my site and called from a payphone.  That is determination!

XO
Melanie

I have had situations arise which have caused me to have to reschedule as well. Due to my job situation, I usually have to do short notice appointments. Occassionally but not very often, I will set an appointment and have to call back within 30 minutes to say I can't be there.

It happens, just don't make it a big habit!

OFF

Unrelated Gratuitous Boobiage Photo

I had to cancel a long scheduled appointment on short notice.  I called and let her know and offered to pay for her time.  She was great about it.  We rescheduled and had a blast.  She appreciated that I did not take her for granted.

The thought that comes to mind for me in the rare situation that I have to cancel an appointment is to schedule the next appointment for a longer period of time (two hours vs. an hour and a half, for example.) That avoids the awkwardness (for me, at least) of offering a cancellation fee, and compensates the provder a little bit for the lost revenue.

Life is what it is. This is such a sensitive business that both participants need to be honest about how they are feeling in the moment and about what upheaval may have happened in their life on that particular day and decide for themselves if the session is the correct encounter at that particular time. Cancellations happen on both sides. Yes, it is a let down to both parties, but wouldn't you prefer that you saved yourself the money and energy if either one of you are not in a position to experience the moment fully? Unfortunately, this business is not like a "day at the office" where either the client or companion can put on a fake face (actually, I suppose some can and do...but that just doesn't seem an option for me.
Just my .02 cents...
xoxo
Gina Marie

No matter what, when you cancel this late, you should offer to compensate her for the block of time she reserved for you, assuming it was so late she can't reasonably expect to book a replacement date.  She may demur, but let it be her choice.

Yes, I agree.  I really think offering to compensate her for the reserved time is the right thing to do with a very short notice cancelation.