Thanks. I worked hard at that. It isn't my intent to take sides, or self promote. I understand BOTH the points of view here.Nice, doesn’t break a single rule! lol
It's called dispassionate discourse. It's not rocket surgery!
Thanks. I worked hard at that. It isn't my intent to take sides, or self promote. I understand BOTH the points of view here.Nice, doesn’t break a single rule! lol
If you have done your research on the girl (even better if she is in red), than Erica’s scenario should be the minimum a guy should commit to...You aren't in touch with the point of this thread then. It isn't about getting guys to pay for their tours or expenses. It's about using a deposit to demonstrate your committment to going through with the session that you have booked! It's about PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. Here's what happens. Here's a fictional story and a fictional provider who may or may not be a paid advertiser on this board. They're theoretical, so not breaking any rules.
On some past Wednesday morning Theoretical Indy Girl (let's call them TIG for short), got a request for an overnight in a city where TIG has no permanent in call. She decides then that she will advertise a mini tour for that weekend, Thursday to Sunday. She books her hotel, her transportation, her ADVERTISING, & she gets ready to go. She runs ads, and several gents reply with enthusiasm, & email text & call to arrange their appointments. The day before she is supposed to travel, she has an overnight, a dinner date, and several shorter bookings too. After making all the arrangements, turning down appointments for her BASE CITY clients, etc, she heads to the tour city.
She arrives at & pays for her hotel...and then opens her email. The client who initially booked & requested her first appointment for the tour, a 5 hour dinner & play date, has emailed to say that his mother's brother's best friend's cousin has been involved in a tragedy, and as such he must regrettably cancel. However, he will happily rebook at some nebulous & undefined future date. Even if every other date is legitimate, that one flake puts a big hole in her pocket! Why? It's highly unlikely she can fill that same block of time on short notice, PLUS she may have turned away other opportunities because of that one date. But more & more often, it isn't just that one date. It is not unknown to have more than one No Call No Show date in a weekend, because for some men, it's a GAME. They want to book the appoinment & fantasize about it. Sure enough, the next day, she has 2 appointments ghost. At the end of the tour, she's broken even on what she spent to get there, to stay there, & to eat while she was there. She didn't enjoy any sightseeing or social interactions with other providers or friends, because she spent time waiting for dates to show up that didn't. Deposits are indications that you're a bona fide client, not a time waster.
I understand the unwillingness to expose your vulnerable information online; here's a way to get around it.
1) Book a date with TIG.
2) As a demonstration of your commitment to the appointment, buy a $50 Visa prepaid card at any gas station, convenience, drug or grocery store that sells them.
3) Take the card out of its packaging.
4) Take a pic of the front & back of the card that clearly shows the dollar value, the number, expiry date, & validation code from the back.
5) Send the pics to the provider. She is then able to use that gift card to pay for advertising. ($50 doesn't go as far as it used to on Le0l1st...but nevertheless, it's $50 she didn't put out of pocket!)
6) SHOW UP FOR THE DATE & have a great time.
Very well said!2 different things
First. I don't like nor want to do deposit with unknown (to me) SPs. Mainly because I run the risk of losing $, but it also shows my full name on the transfer.
That being said, I have done etransfers for my entire session (when I didnt have canadian $ on me) with some SPs I have seen a few times. For example, I do etransfer with 4151 group as I feel comfortable with them and visited many times.
I can see hesitations from married pooners without separation bank accounts - it will show up funny on statements.
Different topic.
As some mentioned above, touring SPs need to look at their costs (flights and hotels) as investments.
I have no issue with asking for a small deposit as a commitment to show up for an appointment for the 1st time client (it is up to the client to send or not - with password), but I wouldn't like it if a SP say I am spending this much time or money to be ready for the appointment so I need $ up front. (Even tho it may be the same thing but worded differently)
SPs are in business to make money. They need to not cry over their investment if and when it doesn't turn out just like any other business.
And also, we pooners do need to honor appointments if we made them. I hear there are a fair share of no shows in the business.
That's a very good example :thumb:You aren't in touch with the point of this thread then. It isn't about getting guys to pay for their tours or expenses. It's about using a deposit to demonstrate your committment to going through with the session that you have booked! It's about PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY. Here's what happens. Here's a fictional story and a fictional provider who may or may not be a paid advertiser on this board. They're theoretical, so not breaking any rules.
On some past Wednesday morning Theoretical Indy Girl (let's call them TIG for short), got a request for an overnight in a city where TIG has no permanent in call. She decides then that she will advertise a mini tour for that weekend, Thursday to Sunday. She books her hotel, her transportation, her ADVERTISING, & she gets ready to go. She runs ads, and several gents reply with enthusiasm, & email text & call to arrange their appointments. The day before she is supposed to travel, she has an overnight, a dinner date, and several shorter bookings too. After making all the arrangements, turning down appointments for her BASE CITY clients, etc, she heads to the tour city.
She arrives at & pays for her hotel...and then opens her email. The client who initially booked & requested her first appointment for the tour, a 5 hour dinner & play date, has emailed to say that his mother's brother's best friend's cousin has been involved in a tragedy, and as such he must regrettably cancel. However, he will happily rebook at some nebulous & undefined future date. Even if every other date is legitimate, that one flake puts a big hole in her pocket! Why? It's highly unlikely she can fill that same block of time on short notice, PLUS she may have turned away other opportunities because of that one date. But more & more often, it isn't just that one date. It is not unknown to have more than one No Call No Show date in a weekend, because for some men, it's a GAME. They want to book the appoinment & fantasize about it. Sure enough, the next day, she has 2 appointments ghost. At the end of the tour, she's broken even on what she spent to get there, to stay there, & to eat while she was there. She didn't enjoy any sightseeing or social interactions with other providers or friends, because she spent time waiting for dates to show up that didn't. Deposits are indications that you're a bona fide client, not a time waster.
I understand the unwillingness to expose your vulnerable information online; here's a way to get around it.
1) Book a date with TIG.
2) As a demonstration of your commitment to the appointment, buy a $50 Visa prepaid card at any gas station, convenience, drug or grocery store that sells them.
3) Take the card out of its packaging.
4) Take a pic of the front & back of the card that clearly shows the dollar value, the number, expiry date, & validation code from the back.
5) Send the pics to the provider. She is then able to use that gift card to pay for advertising. ($50 doesn't go as far as it used to on Le0l1st...but nevertheless, it's $50 she didn't put out of pocket!)
6) SHOW UP FOR THE DATE & have a great time.
Thank you b3; appreciate the input.That's a very good example :thumb:
Interesting read and shows what a lot of touring ladies have to put up with...
mother's, brother's, cousin's best friend; I sure hope the excuses are never that contrived.
I can understand why gentlemen are hesitant to send deposits and e-transfers when booking an SP.
But I love Vancouver. I love the energy, the multiculturalism, and the opulence. I love the men and the providers I've had the pleasure of meeting in the Rainy City, and so...with trepidation...I'm planning a few small tours in Vancouver, and I'm asking for a 20% deposit on bookings.
Twenty percent is not a large amount of money, but it *hopefully* indicates that the gentleman is serious about actually meeting me.
To the men: Is this a good compromise? What can I do as a provider to assuage your fears and show that I'm sincere in my intentions?
To the SPs: Do you request deposits? Why or why not?
In my totally theoretical example, TIG doesn't ever double book because she comsiders THAT unethical.I think Priya, is making potential Clients aware, of what She'll require to make a Booking with her .
And, She's looking for some Feedback, on that requirement ?
Thanks to Erica, for an insightful Reply, for anyone having a tough Time connecting the Dots...
P.S. And Guys wonder why, some of the Ladies, Double-Book a Time slot ? LOL
A cabbie told me, if you call two cab companies and take the faster one it is, by law, fraud... so that makes “you” fraudulent client lolIn my totally theoretical example, TIG doesn't ever double book because she comsiders THAT unethical.
In my totally theoretical example, TIG doesn't ever double book because she comsiders THAT unethical.
Exactly! TIG has been in a position where a client books two SPs on the same day, sends texts to BOTH saying "any chance I can see you earlier?" & then standing her up...in theory.
Thanks. I worked hard at that. It isn't my intent to take sides, or self promote. I understand BOTH the points of view here.
It's called dispassionate discourse. It's not rocket surgery!
Nice, doesn’t break a single rule! lol
An example that is sort of double-booking: once I was having a massage with a woman who answered her phone during the massage, and talked with a guy who wanted to book. She gave him a time that was exactly the time at which my one-hour appointment was to end. After she hung up, I pointed out that she hadn't allowed any time for me to shower, get dressed and get out. She airily said "Oh, he won't show up." Sure enough, he didn't show, at least not at the appointed time. She guessed correctly; how she could have been so sure I don't know. Experience and intuition maybe. Still, I thought it was bad form and kind of rude to me. I liked her massage, and had seen her two or three times, but I never booked with her again after that episode.In my totally theoretical example, TIG doesn't ever double book because she comsiders THAT unethical.
Of course it doesn’t - we’re talking the Grammar Queen/Lyrical Genius Miss Phoenix here!Nice, doesn’t break a single rule! lol
I am actually starting to request deposits for new clients as well. I agree if you are well respected, which you are, then no one needs to worry about your scamming them..... T xWhat a coincidence, I've also just started asking for deposits from new clients. So far I've been thrilled with the very positive reception!
I made a totally discreet and nondescript email address for clients to send either an etransfer or an amazon gift card. Very easy! Sure a few people will balk at that, but you still won't be losing as much as you would through last-minute cancellations. Plus you are well respected, so anyone who thinks you're going to ruin your reputation by running away with their 50 dollar deposit is crazy.
I'm so happy that I'm seeing this becoming a trend among providers. It really changes your entire day when you don't have to worry about your next client bailing at the last minute. I wish I had done this ages ago!
Good luck to you