I am one of little experience as a hobbyist. I know the preferred method to contact and communicate with a provider is via phone call, I assume because it's easier to verify/screen.
I have seen (here) HORROR stories about wifeys and SO's going B.A.N.A.N.A.S <---Gwen Stefani reference when they, for what ever reason, end up with a clients phone and see calls or texts from providers.
From an experience - a LONG time ago, I had 2 phones at one point, one was a work phone and the other my personal. I called a well known provider and scheduled a session. We hit it off and stayed in touch every now and then. She would call during the hours I was avaliable to answer. I would help with her PC problems and edit videos and pics for her website. It was all good.
TILL.... I start getting the late night texts and calls. It got so bad I would leave the work phone in the truck or turn it off so the SO wouldn't get a hold of it. Finally I just turned it back in to the company and started using my personal and getting reimbursed from the company for the expense.
Ever since then I have used my email to text and IM's to communicate with providers. The phone I use (like all phones now) is capable of IM's and I text from it too but only to the IM's supported carriers. The unsupported one like Metro PCS I use email to text to those.
In my situation I cannot have more than one phone. So provider phone is out of the picture, too much hide and seek from the SO to do that. I've used a caller ID spoofer but providers can't call back if the call is missed or goes to VM.
Now my question is why is email and IM's no bueno? I know there are some ladies who might prefer those methods but I've only seen a few.
As far as the 2 call confirmation goes. Why is that needed if a said upon time was already agreed on. I know time management is a pain but for a professional scheduling shouldn't be an issue right?
I'm not bashing anyone, if it sounds like I am, I apologize in advanced.
Any thoughts? Opinions? All is welcomed.