Your Man in Arlington Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 Just wondering how long you all wait for a provider to respond when inquiring about meeting a few days in advance? Since my time and schedule is usually limited; if a provider isn't interested or available, I'd like to be able to make other plans. But, also don't want to end up in a situation where more than one provider is expecting a booking. peter831 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylander1940 Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 48 minutes ago, Your Man in Arlington said: Just wondering how long you all wait for a provider to respond when inquiring about meeting a few days in advance? Since my time and schedule is usually limited; if a provider isn't interested or available, I'd like to be able to make other plans. But, also don't want to end up in a situation where more than one provider is expecting a booking. Depends! Even if he's doing an overnight when you contact him on a Monday to getting together on a Friday, he can always text back from the bathroom or when they client is not around. I would say wait one day and if he doesn't reply by then move on to the next and if he texts you back later just tell him you made other plans. Hopefully he didn't reply to you the day before because he was out of the country or hiking the Appalachian trail without connection. If provider doesn't text back within 24 hours, I would expect an explanation about why it took him so long. domonkasshu160 and Your Man in Arlington 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ sf westcoaster Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 If I have not had a response within 24 hours, I move on. NipLuvr212, marylander1940, Yukon21 and 6 others 5 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 24 Share Posted February 24 24 hours is the maximum amount of time I’m willing to wait for a response before I move on. + sf westcoaster, spidir, + The Big Guy and 6 others 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ KensingtonHomo Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 It depends. Not more than 24 hours. Your Man in Arlington, EastbayMike, Medin and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ nycman Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I used to be a "wait 24 hours" guy. But after looking back and doing the math, I figured out if a guy hasn’t responded in 2 to 3 hours he’s either not going to or it’s not worth it. And guys who respond will immediately get my attention fast. They’re almost always worth it. peter831, Your Man in Arlington, Yukon21 and 1 other 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Man in Arlington Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 Thanks for the input everyone! 24 hours has been my rule of thumb, too. I'll probably stick with that as long as I have enough lead time. 7 hours ago, nycman said: I used to be a "wait 24 hours" guy. But after looking back and doing the math, I figured out if a guy hasn’t responded in 2 to 3 hours he’s either not going to or it’s not worth it. And guys who respond will immediately get my attention fast. They’re almost always worth it. I've noticed this, too... maybe up to 4 hours depending on when I reach out since I'm an early riser. I just feel better giving them the greatest "benefit of the doubt" if I need to tell them that I've already made other plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloyo215 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 For a response to see if there's any sign of life or interest, 24hrs. For me to start looking for another provider, between 1-2 hours. + sf westcoaster and Your Man in Arlington 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I like how guys take their time to respond to me, but then if I don't answer them within a few minutes I start getting "?" texts. + DrownedBoy, BuzzLiteQueer, + Pensant and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Passionate_lover318 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 I’ve waited at least a day because I do realize they’re busy with life as well. I’ve always texted them by their cell to get a response faster. TorontoDrew, + sf westcoaster, Your Man in Arlington and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massageguy99 Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 This is one thing that irritates me. I wait 24 hours. Past that I am done. I can't stand people who have their listing set to active in my city but are actually out of town for 2 weeks. Or, they are currently with an extended client, or sick or whatever but they still show their listing. Why not put an auto reply on your text that says you are unavailable, or change your listing. It is just dumb because people who reach out while you are away just assume you are a flake. Medin, MikeBiDude, Yukon21 and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ DrownedBoy Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 It depends on how far in advance it is. However, usually, if a provider doesn't answer within 24 hours, they're never going to answer. And I'm not going to keep begging anyone with additional texts. If I'm doing right-now hiring, I only give them 30 minutes. I've had to tell more than one potential provider that they took too long to get back, so I already hired a replacement. Plenty of fish in the RM sea. jsn102, Dolman, Yukon21 and 3 others 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Man in Arlington Posted February 25 Author Share Posted February 25 2 minutes ago, DrownedBoy said: However, usually, if a provider doesn't answer within 24 hours, they're never going to answer. And I'm not going to keep begging anyone with additional texts. This, absolutely yes. I only ever send one initial inquiry. There's no way to make someone want your business if they don't. Yukon21 and Medin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ The Big Guy Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 (edited) Given the number of providers I have been with that spent much of the appointment looking at the phone, I have a hard time believing they cannot answer in a 3 or 4 hour time period. Edited February 26 by The Big Guy Medin, Your Man in Arlington and + DrownedBoy 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Man in Arlington Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 1 hour ago, The Big Guy said: Given the number of providers I have been with that spent much of the appointment looking at the phone, I have a hard time believing they cannot answer in a 3 or 4 hour time period. I have fortunately only really experienced this with one provider (others have checked their phone in limited way after playtime), but I hear of this complaint often. I hope it remains the exception for me. ☝️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Suraci Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Speaking for myself here. I don’t know what your other guys are doing. My response time varies from minutes to hours. Late night texts when I’m in bed and falling asleep or already asleep I let sit overnight until I wake up and respond first thing from bed. Some of my clients book me for 2 1/2 hrs (pretty common, long massage and scrub appointment) to 5 hrs or more. For example, once a month, a client gets body trimming (45 mins), massage (90 mins), playtime (120 mins), and body scrub (30 mins). Then we go out to dinner after all that, for about two hours. When a client reaches out to me on this day, I am lucky to respond on the way to dinner. Forget about that hours long window when I am focused on my client and not checking my phone at all. I’m actually being a good service provider giving my complete focus and attention to my client. Those demanding responses in 30 mins or less…you’re essentially requiring that a provider not only be available during the time you want, but also available when you reach out. Say you want an hour of his time, and your start time is two hours away. That means you’re demanding three hours of his time IMMEDIATELY. Great if he’s sitting around with nothing better to do, awaiting your one text. The reality is we juggle many requests throughout the day and do our best to make it seem like you are our only client and only concern in the world. I may be working on a client when you text. Say it’s only a one hour appointment, that’s still too long for some of you people here. When you’ve done good research, you’re already picking from among the better providers - those most attentive to client inquiries, but they are busy because they are good. Wait up to 24 hrs. Several hours is not unheard of. Some of them are worth the wait. Quality is more important than convenience or instant gratification. I get that some clients are looking for “right now”, but it’s unrealistic to expect your whole list of half a dozen guys to respond within minutes. It’s ok to respond to a straggler later saying you hired another provider. To show goodwill, mention that you will keep him in mind for next time. Perfectly acceptable. More than 24 hrs and he’s less and less likely to respond at all. Move on. Saabster and Your Man in Arlington 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbar123 Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 I usually give at least 8 hours assuming that someone might be in a plane or otherwise off line. After that I assume they’re not interested and start thinking about plan b Musru and Your Man in Arlington 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viewing ownly Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 The fair time to wait is 5 hours, provided you're not asking before they are turning in for the night. The advice given earlier to move on on YOUR side after about two is a great suggestion. It's been rare, but I have had to let people know that someone else got back with me in a more timely fashion, and I'll try to see them some other time. peter831 and Your Man in Arlington 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJF Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 If the provider doesn’t respond with a couple hours, it will not progress toward anything or anywhere 😂 peter831 and Your Man in Arlington 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay DC Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 I don’t often look for quick availability but have done so on occasion-usually when a flight cancelled or business required me to stay an extra day or two while traveling. When I got up those mornings I didn’t realize I was going to have availability and, of course, had not made any inquiries. I’m probably going to get chastised for admitting this, but in these last minute requests, I usually send out identical inquiries to 2 or 3 different providers (marked as Available Now). It is rare that I get two quick responses. In the first hour, I usually get one. If I book that appointment, I respond immediately to later responders by apologizing and admitting I jumped the gun and am not available after all. The second response is usually 4 or 5 hours later, which is reasonable but didn’t fit my time frame. There is always one who doesn’t respond. I have gotten some criticism from the ones who responded but didn’t get booked. Called a time waster or flake or alleged that I jerked off and had no intention of booking. I’m sure I’ve been a flake and God knows I jerk off but it seems a little harsh to me for a single text I sent hours earlier and a single text they sent. But I can’t imagine how few inquiries convert into appointments. And it must be maddening to get inundated with repeated messages and questions from a single person that leads nowhere. That’s why I only send one message to each person and respond the second I get a response from them. I suppose it would be more honorable to make one inquiry and wait for the response before moving to the next candidate. But honestly if I did that I wouldn’t book half of the last minute appointments I’ve had. And they have been some of the best. There have been a very few times when someone responded very quickly and said, “Send me the address, I’ll be there in 15 minutes”. I’ve had to ask for more time so I can get my act together and occasionally they’ve been irked and told me to forget it. Good thing I had a back up. I apologize to those whose time I’ve wasted and I don’t hold a grudge to those who never responded. I know I’m just looking for fun and that it’s the provider’s livelihood but life happens, let’s give each other a break. mike carey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viewing ownly Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 3 hours ago, Jay DC said: I don’t often look for quick availability but have done so on occasion-usually when a flight cancelled or business required me to stay an extra day or two while traveling. When I got up those mornings I didn’t realize I was going to have availability and, of course, had not made any inquiries. I’m probably going to get chastised for admitting this, but in these last minute requests, I usually send out identical inquiries to 2 or 3 different providers (marked as Available Now). It is rare that I get two quick responses. In the first hour, I usually get one. If I book that appointment, I respond immediately to later responders by apologizing and admitting I jumped the gun and am not available after all. The second response is usually 4 or 5 hours later, which is reasonable but didn’t fit my time frame. There is always one who doesn’t respond. I have gotten some criticism from the ones who responded but didn’t get booked. Called a time waster or flake or alleged that I jerked off and had no intention of booking. I’m sure I’ve been a flake and God knows I jerk off but it seems a little harsh to me for a single text I sent hours earlier and a single text they sent. But I can’t imagine how few inquiries convert into appointments. And it must be maddening to get inundated with repeated messages and questions from a single person that leads nowhere. That’s why I only send one message to each person and respond the second I get a response from them. I suppose it would be more honorable to make one inquiry and wait for the response before moving to the next candidate. But honestly if I did that I wouldn’t book half of the last minute appointments I’ve had. And they have been some of the best. There have been a very few times when someone responded very quickly and said, “Send me the address, I’ll be there in 15 minutes”. I’ve had to ask for more time so I can get my act together and occasionally they’ve been irked and told me to forget it. Good thing I had a back up. I apologize to those whose time I’ve wasted and I don’t hold a grudge to those who never responded. I know I’m just looking for fun and that it’s the provider’s livelihood but life happens, let’s give each other a break. If a provider is going to waste their own time to contact you with criticism, you can know that you were much better off not seeing them at all, or to ever try to in the future. I've followed through only one time with a provider who was being flat out rude with texts prior to meeting him - it went about as bad as I feared. EastbayMike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICTJOCK Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 As a provider, I think a diligent response is always important. I say 24 hours for sure. To be responsive is to show interest in the client and in the job in general. Communication is a flow of ideas and interest. The only exception is if the provider was sick or simply unable to respond. Without it, a client should consider moving along and finding another candidate. Your Man in Arlington and thomas 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay DC Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 3 hours ago, viewing ownly said: If a provider is going to waste their own time to contact you with criticism, you can know that you were much better off not seeing them at all, or to ever try to in the future. I've followed through only one time with a provider who was being flat out rude with texts prior to meeting him - it went about as bad as I feared. I think you’re probably right but I give a little more latitude. Once when flying cross country, I realized at the airport that I had left my laptop and iPad at home. On my phone, I reached out to a couple of providers asking if they had availability in the next few days. I explained I was traveling and would check back when I arrived at my hotel. Traveling to the hotel, I left both my personal and professional phones in the taxi never to be seen again. I was like an Amish girl trying to survive in the big city. And the provider’s never heard back from me. Shit happens and we all have moments that don’t show us at our best. I’ve never been such a doofus before or after that trip but nobody’s perfect and a little compassion never hurts. MikeBiDude, Your Man in Arlington, + nycman and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Hagen Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 On 2/24/2024 at 7:24 AM, Your Man in Arlington said: But, also don't want to end up in a situation where more than one provider is expecting a booking. Initially, tell the provider you are also reaching out to other providers. Your Man in Arlington and MikeBiDude 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ APPLE1 Posted March 27 Share Posted March 27 13 hours ago, Rod Hagen said: Initially, tell the provider you are also reaching out to other providers. Don't providers automatically assume that? I assume that no matter what is being purchased most people check out the options. peter831 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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