I have never heard of a provider paying a cancellation fee. When they start I may consider it too. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Originally Posted by Omahan
At most all times (although, I may not always carry them with me from my home to a "local" incall in the KC metro area), especially when I travel, I generally will have one or two pre-loaded gift cards (Olive Garden, Omaha Steaks, Target, etc.) available in the off chance that
IF I have to cancel a pre-booked, verified and confirmed appointment, I have something to immediately offer the client for his inconvenience. I don't offer cash, but I have bought a client dinner or a steak once or twice over the years on the VERY infrequent occasion when circumstance(s) has made it impossible for me to see someone and I have had to cancel with little or no notice. In fact, I published this policy in a thread on ASPD, probably over two or two and a half years ago in a discussion about what happens if you have to turn away a client at the door (totally different topic, but the policy is the same). I have been accused of working my business much differently than many other ladies (believe me, that is a
GOOD thing), and I work
VERY professionally (upscale incall locations, all inclusive rates, refreshments, ensuring a client gets all the time they have paid for . . I even put out mints and disposable toothbrushes). More often than not, on the rare occasion this has happened, the client will politely decline the offer of the gift - but I don't expect that they will - I offer it, and fully expect them to accept it as a token of my appreciation for their compliment of desiring to see me professionally and my apology for having to either reschedule, postpone or cancel our meeting. I've even slipped a gift card into a client's coat pocket after they have refused it . . . If I offer it, it is because I WANT to give it to you - I WANT you to have it!
Of course, I
RARELY cancel
last minute, but occasionally it really IS unavoidable. There are too many variables (that may have a negative impact) a lady encounters in this endeavor and I am always prepared for any contingency. I may cancel a day or two in advance due to weather or a personal matter - and if I do I will always offer a discount to reschedule or offer more time when I see the client next . . . but any
last minute cancellation is always met with my offering something in the form of a cancellation "fee" . . . when it is MY fault and my fault alone to have to withdraw from a scheduled meeting, I believe it is only fair to make a gesture to the client!
On the other hand . . . If the client's cancellation has cost me
real money (for instance, if they have booked multiple hours and I have extended a hotel stay specifically to see them or checked in somewhere for THAT meeting only and they have subsequently had to cancel our rendezvous), I will politely ask them to cover the expense(s) I have incurred . . . And, more often than not, most all will make a gesture to cover those real costs. If they do not, they find I don't answer their calls or emails. For most gentlemen that have seen me once, that is all the incentive they need to "make it right" and guarantee that they will see me again. If it hasn't actually impacted my pocketbook, I generally let it go - although, there are some clients I do hold to a higher standard and frankly, I don't give them a second chance unless they make an overture to offer me something for my time (an example of this would be a cancellation - less than 24 hours - from a client that may be an online acquaintance, or a new client that has canceled after I have spent a good amount of time and energy screening him, etc.).
As a further example, there is a gentleman in Omaha I have seen SEVERAL times and he has become quite a regular caller, however, on a recent visit I had to depart suddenly and with very little advance warning - I was actually on my way out of town before he had crossed town to make it to my incall . . . I left him an envelope at the desk under an assumed name with a "password" to pick it up . . . he left with a $100 gift card to Darden restaurants along with a scented, personal note explaining my cancellation and I kept a $600/month client happy. By the way, that $100 made its way back to me as a tip the next time I was in town (prior to Christmas) . . . what goes around, comes around. Thank you - you know who you are, and I know you are probably reading this!
It is ALL about service. I know Elena understands this, and so do a small handful of others . . . but too many ladies just don't "get it".
Kisses,
- Jackie