How to deal with flakes.

[JoeyLA]

This past week, I had a record number of flakes. Bummed me out more than anything because I really enjoy meeting new clients. How does one handle this situation with grace and professionalism? I normally just ignore it but I’m wondering if anyone has other advice.

[Kevin Slater]

For me:

• I make sure I hear a voice on the phone in order to set it up (I don't care if he's piloting the international space station while his wife is in labor next to him, if he can't call, I'm not interested)
  
• I don't take calls from blocked numbers
  
• If he sounds flakey I'll call back to try and discern if it's a google voice number (the equivalent of a blocked number)
  
• I keep a record of his number after he flakes, because he's going to reach out to you again in six months
  
• It's not a bad idea to call the hotel and get patched through to the room before heading over, especially if something strikes you as 'off'
  
• The likelihood of a booking actually happening is inversely proportional to the number of texts, calls and emails beforehand
  

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.

 

Kevin Slater

[JoeyLA]

Thanks so much Kevin. I think I’m gonna use some of this. Really appreciate it.

[Trick]

 

It's not a bad idea to call the hotel and get patched through to the room before heading over, especially if something strikes you as 'off'

 

 

Is there a way to call the room directly? The operators usually ask for a name when the call goes through them.

[Chad Constantine]

For me:

• I make sure I hear a voice on the phone in order to set it up (I don't care if he's piloting the international space station while his wife is in labor next to him, if he can't call, I'm not interested)
  
• I don't take calls from blocked numbers
  
• If he sounds flakey I'll call back to try and discern if it's a google voice number (the equivalent of a blocked number)
  
• I keep a record of his number after he flakes, because he's going to reach out to you again in six months
  
• It's not a bad idea to call the hotel and get patched through to the room before heading over, especially if something strikes you as 'off'
  
• The likelihood of a booking actually happening is inversely proportional to the number of texts, calls and emails beforehand
  

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.

 

Kevin Slater

How can one tell if it is a google voice number?

[+ SundayZip]

For me:

• I make sure I hear a voice on the phone in order to set it up (I don't care if he's piloting the international space station while his wife is in labor next to him, if he can't call, I'm not interested)
  
• I don't take calls from blocked numbers
  
• If he sounds flakey I'll call back to try and discern if it's a google voice number (the equivalent of a blocked number)
  
• I keep a record of his number after he flakes, because he's going to reach out to you again in six months
  
• It's not a bad idea to call the hotel and get patched through to the room before heading over, especially if something strikes you as 'off'
  
• The likelihood of a booking actually happening is inversely proportional to the number of texts, calls and emails beforehand
  

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.

 

Kevin Slater

 

• If he sounds flakey I'll call back to try and discern if it's a google voice number (the equivalent of a blocked number)
  

This is the criteria from your list that concerns me. Up until a couple years ago I used my one and only cell phone number for everything, including communicating with potential escorts. Then I had an unfortunate misunderstanding with an escort and he decided to publish my phone number (I've since learned that he has a reputation for being a temperamental prima donna so it's not only me). But it was disturbing enough that I switched to google voice for escort related communication. I'd hate to be black-listed simply because I use a google voice number.

Edited December 30, 2019 by SundayZip

[Kevin Slater]

Is there a way to call the room directly? The operators usually ask for a name when the call goes through them.

 

I'll explain that to him and ask for his name. If he's not comfortable with that, I may pass. Again, this is only if he's already struck me as 'off'. If he's calling from a hotel number and I can't patch through to his room, that's the same as a blocked number.

 

Kevin Slater

[Kevin Slater]

How can one tell if it is a google voice number?

 

Not always, but often you get the "Please state your name..." screener that google voice employs. Then I know it's a fake number.

 

Even if he calls, I can start to text him back (even if I don't send) to see if it shows up as blue (a legitimate iPhone number) or green (not an iPhone, potentially google voice or some other number-masking service).

 

Kevin Slater

[Kevin Slater]

• If he sounds flakey I'll call back to try and discern if it's a google voice number (the equivalent of a blocked number)
  

This is the criteria from your list that concerns me. Up until a couple years ago I used my one and only cell phone number for everything, including communicating with potential escorts. Then I had an unfortunate misunderstanding with an escort and he decided to publish my phone number (I've since learned that he has a reputation for being a temperamental prima donna so it's not only me). But it was disturbing enough that I switched to google voice for escort related communication. I'd hate to be black-listed simply because I use a google voice number.

 

I hear you. However, if the guy already sounds like he's going to no-show or what have you, adding a google voice number to the mix adds to my concern. I may decide not to meet him, and he may have been completely legit, and that's ok; not every booking has to happen.

 

Kevin Slater

Edited December 31, 2019 by Kevin Slater

[BluDay]

This is the criteria from your list that concerns me. Up until a couple years ago I used my one and only cell phone number for everything, including communicating with potential escorts. Then I had an unfortunate misunderstanding with an escort

 

I must agree, I've not had the same experience as this poster, but I use GV to help assure I don't. And I value my privacy. I have never missed an appointment. We use different names (often), as do escorts. I know escorts who have a special phone/number for this business. Why shouldn't the client as well.

 

Yes, this can be a tool of a scammer, but it's a tool of good clients as well.

 

In fairness, I suspect if a GV was the only indication, you wouldn't be as concerned.

[+ BlueSky]

I am surprised to hear an escort say he likes to voice verify with a phone call. I'd love to do this when I hire. I rarely ask anymore though. I think many providers see it as an imposition. But then again in the last two weeks I've had two guys flake on me that I tried to hire. So maybe it's only the flakes that see it that way. As you say, comes with the territory.

 

I've never owned an iPhone or iOS device so I didn't really follow the comments about the colors of the texts. I'm guessing it's N/A to those of us on team Android.