Acceptable amount of time to wait for an appointment ( After Arriving 5 Mins before set time )

[walter2010 145]

So here is the Million Dollar Question 

 

So after communication with provider or booking agent a time is booked and location ( General Idea of Area or Hotel ) is given . Now 5 to 10 mins before set time you reach out again and let them know your in the area and need instructions as to where exactly to go . At this point you’re waiting for instructions as to where to go with the hope that you arrive on time for the set appointment . You then get a text back saying please hang tight or maybe nothing at all . My question is What’s actually acceptable time to wait before it’s time to cancel or just leave ? I understand things happen I get it . The key here however is clear communication and consideration . Also say you get that information finally then say by the time you get to the room or location you now 10 mins behind planned schedule . Is it acceptable to bring it up what time it is as so to add to the tail end of the appointed time ? 10 mins of a $500 per hour appointment is over $80 you’ve spent before you even arrive . Kinda hoping for some feedback 

 

[BenDover 348]

everyone gets ghosted sooner or later 

and about half the time you are right on schedule and you get

‘ hey babe i’m still getting ready sit tight 15 mins or so 😘’

 

for someone established i’d give 15 mins or so leeway , for an unknown if i'm on time and she’s not , i’d just leave 

once i rescheduled about 3 times in an afternoon while she changed hotels all over the place , the pics were that hot ,   and it turned out to be in the top 5 worst encounters ever 💁🏻‍♂️

 

[AdamSandler 419]

Personally I expect to be given the address and not just a general area 1-2 hours before the scheduled time at least. I try to arrive and park early and then I wait until about 5 minutes before the meeting time to text that I'm here/nearby but always add that I know I'm early and no rush at all on their side. 

I'll give anyone a little time. But there are a couple different situations. No response at all to my first text then message again maybe 5 minutes after you're supposed to meet. Still no response I'd probably give until 15 minutes after the scheduled for maybe 1 more text saying I'm leaving in 5 if I don't get a response. 

Now if they are actively responding I'll definitely give more flexibility but again if we hit 15 minutes or so past the scheduled time I'll probably hit them with a text asking how much longer. Maybe throw something in about having a tight timeline and if they aren't ready soon I will have to reschedule (whether it's true or not). If it seems like they are just stringing me along I'll leave but thankfully that hasn't happened to me when they've been actively replying. 

 

To your other question 5 minutes I probably wouldn't worry about at all but when we hit 10-15 or more I would expect my booking time to be honoured and shifted. If we were supposed to meet at 9 and she wasn't ready until 9:15 I would expect to stay until 10:15 for sure. I'd say most independent providers would do this anyway and I often see SPs put a timer on their phone rather than watch the clock. Now if we are talking Agencies like YFL if the provider is running late you will likely lose the time. I think YFL only gives the ladies 15 or so minutes between appointments which is not much time at all and doesn't really give them the flexibility to extend their time in the moment. 
I probably wouldn't bring it up at the beginning but maybe at the end if it seems like she's trying to get you to leave early you can try to bring it up in a gentle way. Maybe something like "we started a little later than expected but I am really enjoying our time together. Is there any way we could take just a few more minutes?" Or something along those lines. I'd keep the focus on her rather than strictly on the time and money aspect.

[DaveM2 223]

My rule is 15 minutes after the scheduled time before I leave if I don't get any response. If they text me something generic like "just a few minutes" I'll give them 15 from when I get that text. I'm willing to be more flexible if they have clear communication but that rarely happens.

Your second question is a good one. if the client is late to the appointment then I think its totally reasonable and fair for them to send you out at the end of the time slot you booked. But if they are late they really need to be giving you the full length of time you booked. If they made you wait there's no reason they can't make the next guy wait as well. I always check my phone for the time right before knocking and compare to the clock in the room (many set it ahead) so I know exactly how long I've been there. That way I don't get scammed and also don't risk overstaying.

[AdamSandler 419]

32 minutes ago, DaveM2 said:

My rule is 15 minutes after the scheduled time before I leave if I don't get any response. If they text me something generic like "just a few minutes" I'll give them 15 from when I get that text. I'm willing to be more flexible if they have clear communication but that rarely happens.

Your second question is a good one. if the client is late to the appointment then I think its totally reasonable and fair for them to send you out at the end of the time slot you booked. But if they are late they really need to be giving you the full length of time you booked. If they made you wait there's no reason they can't make the next guy wait as well. I always check my phone for the time right before knocking and compare to the clock in the room (many set it ahead) so I know exactly how long I've been there. That way I don't get scammed and also don't risk overstaying.

Checking your phone is smart. I'm curious though do you check it when you're leaving and if they're kicking you out early do you say anything about it? 

I often leave my phone in my pants or jacket so I'm not watching the time. I let the ladies control the time and usually take the hint when they ask if I want to grab a shower that I've probably only got 5-10 minutes before my time is up.

[DaveM2 223]

12 minutes ago, AdamSandler said:

Checking your phone is smart. I'm curious though do you check it when you're leaving and if they're kicking you out early do you say anything about it? 

I often leave my phone in my pants or jacket so I'm not watching the time. I let the ladies control the time and usually take the hint when they ask if I want to grab a shower that I've probably only got 5-10 minutes before my time is up.

What I meant is I calibrate the real time against the clock in the room at the start of the session. If my phone says its 12:00 and the clock says 12:15 I know they set it ahead by 15 minutes. I like to keep an eye on the clock throughout the session so I pace myself accordingly, but that doesn't do you much good if the time is wrong.

I'm not a very combative person, so I'll usually just roll with it but obviously warn other people that they do that if I see someone asking about them in the future. I mean lets face it you're not going to get an enthusiastic finale after calling them out for trying to scam you lol.

[AdamSandler 419]

1 minute ago, DaveM2 said:

I mean lets face it you're not going to get an enthusiastic finale after calling them out for trying to scam you lol.

My thoughts exactly haha

[Jon22391 20]

I've only had this happen twice. First time, message that I am there, 5ish mins later got the reply that she just didn't a few more minutes. Another 10ish mins go by and I message again and get no response. 5 minutes later I drove away. At this point I was getting a bit paranoid that something else could be brewing and I just want out of there, but she messages back suddenly that she just needs 3-4 more mins so I wait, then I go up and we have the appointment, but I'm more on edge now and not enjoying it as much as I am going into the situation paranoid and skeptical. The girl seems off too, and I wonder of she is on something and I mostly just want to rush out of there, and I do.

 

Second time, with a different girl, after 15ish mins of waiting past the time I message her that I have left and ahe just responds with "what the fuck!?" And we never message each other ever again.

[walter2010 145]

I kind of think of things this way . If you were to go to another professional in a different line of work . Say a Lawyer and your appointment was for example at 10 Am and they were with another client and didn’t get finished up with them till say 10:15 . Then you had booked a 1 hour time slot to discuss your case . Now at say 10:55 that professional tells you we need to wrap up soon as the one hour consult is about to end at 11 . Would that be considered acceptable ? Given for example they are charging you say $500.00 to $600.00 per hour ? With charging this kind of money per hour I believe needs to come with a high level of professionalism. Set yourself to a higher standard . Now of course life happens and things happen I get it . But make it clear that if there isn’t enough time to meet the fully paid session then acknowledge it and move forward in a professional and fair manner .  Again communication is the key . Be kinda nice to have a few SP weigh in on the topic as I’m sure they also have the same issue from time to time on the opposite end . What would be considered as fair to them if you show up 15 mins late ? Should they take it as it’s your fault and you forgo that time or extend your set time by 15 mins ? I appreciate hearing everyone’s different perspectives on the topic . 

[BenDover 348]

5 hours ago, walter2010 said:

I kind of think of things this way . If you were to go to another professional in a different line of work . Say a Lawyer and your appointment was for example at 10 Am and they were with another client and didn’t get finished up with them till say 10:15 . Then you had booked a 1 hour time slot to discuss your case . Now at say 10:55 that professional tells you we need to wrap up soon as the one hour consult is about to end at 11 . Would that be considered acceptable ? Given for example they are charging you say $500.00 to $600.00 per hour ? With charging this kind of money per hour I believe needs to come with a high level of professionalism. Set yourself to a higher standard . Now of course life happens and things happen I get it . But make it clear that if there isn’t enough time to meet the fully paid session then acknowledge it and move forward in a professional and fair manner .  Again communication is the key . Be kinda nice to have a few SP weigh in on the topic as I’m sure they also have the same issue from time to time on the opposite end . What would be considered as fair to them if you show up 15 mins late ? Should they take it as it’s your fault and you forgo that time or extend your set time by 15 mins ? I appreciate hearing everyone’s different perspectives on the topic . 

thank you 

even if it’s a gray area business , be professional and respect the clients time 

i’ve had a company for 25 years , if i have a meeting booked i make that f’ing meeting unless there’s a flat tire or tornado or something 

 

[MikeyInHalifax 644]

Any time that you feel like you want to cut your losses is fine. There is no guideline. 

 

I've wasted my time waiting 15+ minutes after arriving and never heard back from the provider. 

 

Once you get the feeling that you're being ignored, it's probably a good idea to leave. 

 

It's a difficult call to make because you're in a heightened state of stress and excitement, but you need to take control of yourself and the situation.

 

The only justification you need is that you're feeling uncomfortable with the way the arrangement is progressing.

[Exotic Touch Danielle 31955]

So what do WE do when you guys are late, arrive 20 minutes before the agreed upon time or do not show up at all....

[walter2010 145]

Exotic Touch Danielle 

 

Thanks for for being the first provider to comment . I’d be the first to say that if I was 15 mins late for a scheduled one hour appointment . I’d have the courtesy to communicate that a head of time and because it was my fault or even if it wasn’t I’d be good with taking it as my loss and do my best to try enjoy the balance of time . I’m of the belief to treat others the way you’d want to be treated . 
 

To reply to your question if I were a SP .

Time is $ I get it . I’d make it clear to the client to be ready for final instructions on exact locations 5 mins prior depending on the logistics of parking and think of how long it would take to get to where I’m located . Example a hotel with plenty of parking I’d want them to reach out to me 5 mins before appointment to get final instructions so as to be walking threw the door as close to the start time as possible .If they are late then that’s on them and whatever time is left over is the time they get . However if it’s a long time client with an acceptable excuse and you don’t have another booking or commitment then you’d be the one to decide .

 
In the case of showing up 20 mins early I’d be polite and inform them to get back in touch 5 mins or whatever time is necessary to be able to meet on time . If you do your own booking like I’m sure most do then I’d spell out my terms in my ad or on my website . 
 

Now this is the hardest issue of all . When people book and don’t show . Only really a couple of ways to deal with that problem . Ask for referrals if possible from other SP that may be willing to assist and only when they agree . Ask for a deposit as I realize a lot of time and effort goes into getting ready for an appointment . Know how to tell if someone is using a phone app to mask phone number as not to be traced . I’m in business and do free estimates and quotes often and walk away knowing that there is a slim to none chance of getting the business and ask myself why I do it . It’s sucks when people book and don’t show I agree . I have had the same thing happen on my end where I book with a Sp and make my plans around that time . Get shaved all cleaned up . Fight for a place to park etc . Only to get ghosted . 
 

Id say the best way for Sp to not have to worry about the issues you’ve mentioned is to do the best you can within your limits of course to get decent clients and keep them happy and count mostly on repeat business . 
 

I often as well wonder how many people just do bookings to discourage providers from their line of work ? Not Cool 

 

Or better yet one Sp has a beef with another try’s to waste the others time ? Again not nice 

 

But to be a guy and book and just not have the decency or courtesy to book and not show . That’s Lower than a Snakes Belly and most certainly not me . 
 

Thanks Again Danielle for your input

[AdamSandler 419]

2 hours ago, Exotic Touch Danielle said:

So what do WE do when you guys are late, arrive 20 minutes before the agreed upon time or do not show up at all....

I understand no shows are obviously bad for business but the way you say 20 minutes early or don't bother showing up seems extreme. I aim for 15 but sometimes things happen. The thing is whether I'm there 30 min or 5 min early I would never text until around 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Maybe 10 but that would be the absolute most. Texting 20 minutes early saying I'm there is far too early and feels disrespectful and like I am expecting to be allowed in before our scheduled time. I find 5 to 10 is long enough as I would expect the provider to be ready or nearly ready and to be expecting a message and therefore have their phone nearby and watching for it so a response should be pretty quick. 

 

Now all that changes if someone has a rule which says "please arrive 20 minutes early and text me to confirm you have arrived" or similar but I still would call it a bit much to have that as a rule unless I'm allowed to come inside that early too. Now if I were running late I would always send a message to let the provider know and of course I would expect my time to be still based on the originally agreed upon start and therefore cut short but I would still be paying the full rate. That goes without saying. 

[Exotic Touch Danielle 31955]

7 minutes ago, AdamSandler said:

I understand no shows are obviously bad for business but the way you say 20 minutes early or don't bother showing up seems extreme. I aim for 15 but sometimes things happen. The thing is whether I'm there 30 min or 5 min early I would never text until around 5 minutes before the scheduled time. Maybe 10 but that would be the absolute most. Texting 20 minutes early saying I'm there is far too early and feels disrespectful and like I am expecting to be allowed in before our scheduled time. I find 5 to 10 is long enough as I would expect the provider to be ready or nearly ready and to be expecting a message and therefore have their phone nearby and watching for it so a response should be pretty quick. 

 

Now all that changes if someone has a rule which says "please arrive 20 minutes early and text me to confirm you have arrived" or similar but I still would call it a bit much to have that as a rule unless I'm allowed to come inside that early too. Now if I were running late I would always send a message to let the provider know and of course I would expect my time to be still based on the originally agreed upon start and therefore cut short but I would still be paying the full rate. That goes without saying. 

I have had guys arrive to the given location 20-25 minutes early expecting to come in and then get upset because I'm not ready

No shows happen that's part of the reason why I now require a deposit 

 

Now If our date starts 5-10 minutes late due to it being my fault I of course will add that time onto the agreed upon time it's only right 

 

I feel we both need to be respectful of each others time 

 

[AdamSandler 419]

7 minutes ago, Exotic Touch Danielle said:

I have had guys arrive to the given location 20-25 minutes early expecting to come in and then get upset because I'm not ready

No shows happen that's part of the reason why I now require a deposit 

 

Now If our date starts 5-10 minutes late due to it being my fault I of course will add that time onto the agreed upon time it's only right 

 

I feel we both need to be respectful of each others time 

 

Respect absolutely is required on both sides! Sadly I would assume for you and other providers that does not always happen and many treat you poorly. I hope it's the minority 

[Exotic Touch Danielle 31955]

1 hour ago, AdamSandler said:

Respect absolutely is required on both sides! Sadly I would assume for you and other providers that does not always happen and many treat you poorly. I hope it's the minority 

Unfortunately not all behave in a respectful manner 

But the ones that do make up for it!

Good guys do exist