Alarm bells for me includes one if not more of the following:
1) Provider won't accept text (indicates a cheap cell phone plan which implies provider is either cheap or unsophisticated)
2) Won't accept blocked caller ID (there's a reason we call it a hobby phone)
3) Provides the following disclaimer in the ad "Money exchanged is for my time only and is not an offer of prostitution" or "By contacting me, you are not connected with law enforcement and are in no way attempting to entrap me."
Originally Posted by Cpalmson
I'm a massage therapist, not an escort, and actually prefer texts simply because I despise talking on the phone. I personally have no problem backing somebody off, and typically my text demeanor does that for me, but you guys have NO idea how annoying/rude/time-wasting some dudes really are with the text thing.
Even as just an LMT, I get all kinds of stupid texts at all hours, including the infamous dick pics. Take a lesson from Brett Favre and NEVER do this to a woman unless she asks you to. Seriously, it's really creeper otherwise and NOT a turn on.
This is a business. Providers say "no texts" NOT because they don't have good text plans, it's because they don't have time to waste texting back and forth answering often explicit questions that are texted one at a time, or fending off some dude who thinks he's going to date them/be their friend (I actually had a guy text me asking if I would be his friend), or arguing with some jerk about their rates, etc. The list of text time-sinks goes on.
Same goes for #2 with the blocked numbers. If it's a hobby phone, why do you need to block the #? If you can't trust your preferred providers with your number (hobby or otherwise), find better ones.
When I first went into business, I naively used to answer the few blocked calls that would come in. UNFAILINGLY, it was either a hang up, some nutjob saying vile things, or they'd book an appointment and no show. EVERY time. I even tried the old "I'm on the other line, can you give me a callback number" trick a few times, but they would always hang up as soon as I asked.
I absolutely understand and agree with the clients' desire to text, but having seen it from both sides, just be aware that it can be a real problem for a busy provider.
If you want your provider to be text friendly:
1) Text only during her business hours. Providers who are up late usually advertise as such. Don't rely on the time her BP ad was posted. All auto-repost ads go up just after midnight so it might seem like she's up and online, but most likely not. If her hours aren't stated, 9a - 9p should be a reasonable range.
2) If you have questions, try to ask them all in one text and be respectful. Don't text anything you wouldn't want revealed as coming from you, and don't expect open or positive answers to direct questions naming specific services. Leave the explicit talk for your session. Remember, texts leave a digital "paper trail."
3) If you ask your questions properly and get the answers you want, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT! There are few things more frustrating than spending 30 - 60 minutes (or more!) answering every question, trying to be nice, back and forth, getting seemingly positive responses, then not getting an appointment.
If more clients followed these suggestions, more providers might be text friendly.