Is it better to get your gift at the the start of session or after? That is the question.
As a provider with plently of + reviews as well as a steady repeat clientele I always prefer to sat aside a gift basket by the door so after I have exchanged screening, greetings & salutations with my guest I direct them to my gift basket before we proceed into the session. I also have a close female friend of mine who is also a provider that receives her gift after the session. As a matter of fact, I've done several sessions with her & her client (which is always fun with a male,shemale & female. Super hot!!!) Now granted she usually gets  a gift of $400  for the hour & oppose to my $100 for a full body massage with erotic release but she told me that she feels that her clientele appreciates it that way. She explained to me that she wants her guest to feel that is not a service but a getaway from his everyday life & the gift at the end is his way of saying "Thank you & I value your company". I tried it one time recently and after the session was over I offered my guest a hot shower to freshen up before his departure. He raved about what a great CMT I was and how I made him feel comfortable. Upon leaving  I had to remind him of my gift because he was pretty much almost out the door. He then placed $60 in the basket. WTF?!!! I asked for the additional $40 and he said he was a little short & he'll make it up "next time". Instead of causing a scene over 40 bucks I considered it as a loss & learning experience to ask for the gift up front. I'm curious to know what are other providers & hobbylists thoughts are on this matter?

-- Modified on 9/12/2010 2:21:08 PM

well to put it into perspective before i voice my lousy opinion.  i am a hobbyist and my career has been freelance for too many years now, so i go through the same thing of price negotiation job to job, haggle, haggle, argue, debate.....arrrgh.

that said i am easy going and don't care if it's before or after.  but i guess if you go with the rule of thumb we're the customer.  we receive our product/service then pay, it's not a bad rule to follow for you.  i say that because you have to deal with the consumer reports of your service whether it be this site or another.  but it's harder for you to report a bad customer.

you might get the short end of the stick once in a while as do the customers, but if you have good customer service you will get repeat business.  that i can attest to.  and that is where the money is.

on a related note, I see reviews implying that actions/positions were discussed prior. If one is particular and really wants to top/bottom/etc. what do you recommend?

I recommend to discuss this with the provider 1st but be prepared to be more generous if you are inquiring about more services that require more work & time.