So I offer GFE and so I know lines can get a little blurred. I normally allow half an hour between appointments to allow for a short run over( which is normally say ten mins). I’m also pretty generous with my time so if I have finished for the day or a long wait between bookings, I don’t rush at all, even if that means we over run by half an hour. I’m so worried I’ll Be accused of clock watching that maybe I let them take the piss a bit. So I am aware the problem below is probably related to this.

As I said, I don’t rush and I’m pretty generous when I can be. However lately,  a few clients have been getting huffy when I can’t allow these longer times. As they want quite specific times, it messes up my other bookings meaning I go from being able to see say four a day to two, or maybe three at a push. In order to try a fit more people in, I have to condense my break in between. There have been quite a few days where due to this silly scheduling, I don’t get to eat lunch or have a break.

 The icing on the cake was one client (I believe deliberately as the clocks are far apart and I was in the shower ) put his clothes and a towel in front of both of my clocks so I couldn’t see the time. . He ended up staying an extra hour- thank god he was the last of the day. I’ve even had one reg want to give me approximate times as opposed to set. I had to put my foot down but he wasn’t happy.

I don’t know how to be stricter whilst avoiding being accused of being a clock watcher. I’d say 80% of my clients are regulars so I can’t afford to piss them off too much but it’s starting to cost me
Money.

You just have to be more strict.
And get new regulars who don't take the piss.
They are the clock watchers, not you, as they are ensuring they get free time.
Hell, no!

Do you work from home?

I have mentioned long appointments but they just won’t do it.  I have tried the subtle route of getting dressed, making the bed and mentioning I’ll need a shower . It works with most but there are few that it just doesn’t seem to click. But when I mention I’m now running late, they get sulky.

I am hotel based. This issue doesn’t seem to happen as much without calls.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some clients I don’t mind chatting with a little longer (as I do genuinely enjoy their company and they never expect the extra time). But some of these blokes are starting to expect it. I think my worry is if I start getting strict, they’ll stop being regs.

These are taking advantage, for years I managed clients who wanted sliding around start times but it was not fair. I put my foot down making it clear it was set time or no booking, and from then on they made a booking for a specific time knowing if they were late they would not get an overrun and or may have the time subtracted. Unfortunately one of these also went on to push other boundaries one day stepped far to far so I refused to see him again. These days if anyone asks for a sliding start I only accept the furthest time of their slide, no one has had a problem  with me stating I only work to set times.

Overruns I have experience of many, I need a lot of time between bookings and or whatever else I am doing. I clean and tidy thoroughly,  have emails, texts, phone calls to answer, as well as my own maintenance. Having less than plenty of time is energy sapping and means I'm running around like an idiot. If they can only do a time that suits them, then they have to accept I may have to finish on time. Also to expect more is completely unfair, extensions cannot be guaranteed depends on my arrangements - I plan based on the booked time.

From past experience the only punters, clients, regulars who have problems with finishing on or just after time are just not worth it. There'll be others who will be timely, considerate and be ready to go without much fuss being very happy with the full time they paid for without feeling the need to hang on.

Like you I was once afraid of losing regulars. But then you have to work out if it's worth this stress and aggravation on a regular basis when there are many men out there that will pay what you ask for your time without taking the piss. Why are you sacrificing unpaid time at the expense of other bookings? I've experienced this in the past and when I put my foot down and the odd one didn't come back it became clear that they're not that fussed about seeing me- they're more concerned with what they can get for free. Some clients aren't happy unless they feel as though they're getting a bonus round.
You're worth more and they're worth none of the stress they're causing you. And if they don't come back? You'll probably feel relieved, and fill their time slot with someone who becomes a valuable regular.
Xxx

Decent regulars don't take the piss. A few minutes is fine, especially if it's due to their showering, tidying up, farewell chat etc., but if someone regularly goes 15 minutes or more past their alloted time, you need to say something there and then and get them out the door, then when they book again, ask if they want to do half an hour extra. If their answer is no, then you make sure the booking ends on time.

Sound like you need to work on your boundaries OP, you're running a business not a charity. I believe that if your boundaries were solid and you were much firmer with these guys you would be making more money. They're taking the piss.

I have mentioned long appointments but they just won’t do it.  I have tried the subtle route of getting dressed, making the bed and mentioning I’ll need a shower . It works with most but there are few that it just doesn’t seem to click. But when I mention I’m now running late, they get sulky.

I am hotel based. This issue doesn’t seem to happen as much without calls.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some clients I don’t mind chatting with a little longer (as I do genuinely enjoy their company and they never expect the extra time). But some of these blokes are starting to expect it. I think my worry is if I start getting strict, they’ll stop being regs.

If they’re sulky about it, too bad, that’s on them. If they genuinely hadn’t realised the impact it had they’d apologise and offer to pay your full rate.

You can always make way for new regulars and with all of them, make them aware you set an alarm when approaching the end of their time so this doesn’t happen again. People dislike alarms and I don’t really know why when they’re only booking a set time, they’re not entitled to anything more.

Being a regular client doesn’t always equate to being a good client and for whatever reason, some of them can be a drain just as much as the idiots we sift through. I’ve lost a few regulars for setting my boundaries, whether it’s thinking because they’ve known me for years they can push/ask for services I don’t advertise, trying to overstay, unwanted contact out of hours and that’s fine because people who have a problem with me or anyone else saying No aren’t worth my time.

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