Hi everybody

I seem to be having a higher than what I would call usual number of no-shows at the moment - I am currently sitting here in my hooker knickers waiting for the second in 24 hours! That's five in the last two weeks who have booked, one of whom even rang and confirmed shortly beforehand, and then not turned up - I was furious yesterday because I turned down a regular client to arrange this three hour incall who never arrived; I know that some things are unavoidable but it just seems ridiculous at the moment!

I am aware that school holidays etc make for potentially more unpredictable situations when it comes to work like ours but I'm getting really hacked off - some days I've run around like a lunatic to get ready in time, missed meals because I didn't think I'd have time to cook/eat them, not gone to the bank etc all because I'm sitting waiting for some thoughtless idiot. It's not even as if I take bookings from texts or withheld numbers! Anyone else noticing this and are there any tips to spot them before it's too late?

AMY xxx

I already take Paypal & mobile phone topup deposits for outcalls, these have all been relatively short-notice (mostly same day or day before) incalls; admittedly they are not costing me anything as such but I have turned other bookings down to accommodate them and found out later that the client has gone elsewhere rather than wait for the next day etc. Asking for a deposit would just send them to someone else - there are other ladies working here who are less busy and can fit them in more easily. I know it gets slated on many of these forums but the only advertising/booking system I have never had any problems with is AW - everyone I've met has been punctual, reliable and very nice! I might try deposits for bookings longer than 1 hour, in or outcall - hopefully this will put off the timewasters.

Almost all my bookings are two hours (it's my minimum), but I've had guys book three hours, four, and overnight without having met me before. That's outcalls though, it might be different.

I don't like turning regulars down in favour of new clients, but if the new client has already made a booking what can you do? You don't want to be in the habit of letting people down even if it keeps happening to you.

Amy, if you're busy maybe you can afford to lose a few clients for the sake of deposits. I'd rather work less but always know when I'll be working. Just ask for a fiver or something.

Thanks folks!

Think I will try the 'small deposit for first time bookings'; after all, at least I've got something out of it if they don't turn up. It has just been these last couple of weeks and hopefully will go back to normal soon! The client who booked for three hours sounded very nice and very plausible; didn't withhold his number, rang at a normal hour etc - I guess we all get caught out now and again!

It could also be that he bottled it. If you didn't think he sounded like a timewaster he probably wasn't. Just got cold feet and was too chicken to tell you. Not to mention probably a bit over his head asking for 3 hours for a first time. For some gentlemen it's just easier not to tell you, they don't want to look like a coward. It happens.