Question for Clients Who Do Incalls

[hornytwells]

Clients at home

 

I think if you are careful not to see too many clients in the middle of the night and are discreet, it shouldn't be an issue. I work from home, teaching privately, so the doormen are used to people coming to my apartment for one hour appointments, no problem whatsoever> You could also be a part-time counsellor or therapist (which is in a way what you are!) I think discretion and a good relationship /tip for the doorman will go a long way to their minding their own business>

[rvwnsd]

As a client, a doorman would not be a huge deterrent to me, but I would want to know in advance of his/her presence. However, I agree with those who say "take a pass." Taking extra steps to avoid potential problems with a nosy doorman will get very old very quickly.

[GoodFella69]

As one who travels for his profession, I recall having late night in-calls with escorts/masseurs who live in condos with doormen in at least four cities: Chicago, L.A., Miami and Manhattan. I've never felt awkward about it...and none of these guys ever mentioned to me that having a doorman was problematic for them. Of course, every situation is different. Good luck, Mark. Keep us posted on what you decide.

Goodfella

[buckguy]

Security systems of all sorts are a pain. the more you have to give instruction, the more a new client will be uncomfortable. If you're not available when the client buzzes you, that incurs resistance. Having to sign-in is a problem, esp. if there's a need to show ID; some people don't like video surveillance if it's presence. Sometimes, there's a simple spoken question about why you're there (?friend, business associate, etc.). A nervous answer will be uncomfortable and will raise questions.

 

I've lived in several different urban condo/coop buildings. The desk/buzz-in thing always posed some kind of problem for visitors of all sorts. My current building doesn't have this, but the package delivery/mail people have the door code, so I don't miss having someone keep packages.

 

The door/desk person will figure out your business, even in a high rise. The high rises near where I grew-up were periodically raided because of callgirls. I would look for something "not new". It will have more character, but not necessarily new appliances. A simple buzz-in will work. Mine is keyed to my cell phone.

 

As for hotels--I've encountered the problem with coming down for guests 3 times (i.e., needing a guest room keycard)--at the Van Ness Holiday Inn in SF, the Sheraton Center in NY and the place that's shaped like a pyramid in Las Vegas. Coincidentally, I hired in 2 of these and had friends visit in the 3rd. I tried leaving a key (discretely in an envelope that looked like it had something else) at one place. That didn't work--they hassled my visitor. Oddly, I've stayed at much nicer places than these in SF and NY w/o such hassles. Some of it is legacy--the Sheraton Center went through a bad period in the 80s--a friend's mother had her purse snatched in broad daylight in their lobby, which is right off the street. Stuff like that was common. Places that have opened since the bad old days in NY seem more laid back and some places from the 80s like the Marriott Marquis put the lobby above street level to control traffic.

 

Picking a place to accommodate work is nothing unusual. I sometimes work at home and also have legal/medical responsibility for a family member (think lots of files to keep), so having home office space, access to phone plugs (pre-broadband) and adequately located outlets, etc. has long figured in to my housing decisions. You may change occupations before you move, but it would make sense to take your current one into account.

[raife]

Canada guys, Canada

 

Hey guys,

 

Great discussion but keep in mind that Mark lives in Canada where escorting is legal and the cops have no grounds to hassle him (maybe the manager can harass him for excessive foot traffic, not sure). No way would I want to do a "sign in" incall here in the ol' US of Anachronism where human nature is still illegal after all these years and I've just incriminated myself but I'd have no qualms in Canada, other than some nervousness that the doorman might get all up in my business. (Of course if he's cute, I'd invite him to join the festivities...)

 

Mark, I'd come visit you wherever you choose to live!

[seeker630]

Not a matter of law but of discretuion and comfort-levels

 

Hey guys,

 

Great discussion but keep in mind that Mark lives in Canada where escorting is legal and the cops have no grounds to hassle him (maybe the manager can harass him for excessive foot traffic, not sure). No way would I want to do a "sign in" incall here in the ol' US of Anachronism where human nature is still illegal after all these years and I've just incriminated myself but I'd have no qualms in Canada, other than some nervousness that the doorman might get all up in my business. (Of course if he's cute, I'd invite him to join the festivities...)

 

Mark, I'd come visit you wherever you choose to live!

 

 

Good point. But just because it's legal doesn't mean everyone would have no qualms about possibly being identified or leaving a record. I'm sure some clients would prefer true anonymity.

 

But Mark should have a feel for these things. And he *did ask the question.

 

There is also still the issue of possible consequences to be considered if other residents & management rrealize what's going on.

[Mark Gordon]

Thankyou and An Update

 

I’d like to express my appreciation to all of those who have taken the time to share their perspectives. You’ve made many useful points, though opinion is, as I had feared, somewhat divided. This, despite the fact that the clients who post here are likely to be amongst the more savvy and bold variety.

 

I went back to the property today, felt management out some more about security procedures and got some additional information. When visitors arrive, the resident buzzes them in. They then will be stopped by the concierge who will call the apt to confirm that the resident is expecting a guest. Having verified this, the guest will sign in, but will not be asked for ID. The concierge will hit a button at his desk releasing the elevators, which residents operate with a fob, and the visitor will proceed on his own. Of course, these procedures may be subject to modification depending on the wishes of the condo association. I didn’t see any sign of security cameras or monitors, but the lobby is still being completed. The high-rise has over 400 units. It is on the edge of the gay village, so likely to attract a large gay population. My lawyer will check whether business is permitted on the premises.

 

Consensus seems to be that I should advise clients of the entry procedure in advance. Of course, I would be happy to meet them in the lobby, or for them to call from their cells from outside, or meet them at a coffee shop, if they preferred to be escorted into the building.

 

I am well-versed in maintaining a low profile and screening clients. I lived in the same apt building for years in London without any problems, and have no problems in the rental high-rise where I live now, but have never lived in a condo before. I know how to dress and maintain an immaculate and inviting home. About half of my business is outcalls, so I wouldn’t have any more visitors than many people my age, though their demographic varies widely. Toronto is not a 24hr city, so I get very few late-night calls. This is not to discount the possibility of security catching-on, so of course I’ll be friendly and generous. My search has revealed that all of the downtown high-rise condos have a concierge and most, if not all, have a call and sign-in policy. I see small buildings as undesirable because it is harder to not know your neighbours and maintain your anonymity. Besides, I like to live in the sky J So, it would seem that my options are 1) go for it and hope for the best while attempting to limit my exposure to risk, 2) pass and scour the city in the hopes of finding a high-rise condo with laxer security, or 3) remain in rental accommodation (upgrading to a larger apartment).

 

Today, I left a holding deposit, with a 10 day no-penalty cooling-off period. I have a feeling I’m not going to be getting much sleep...

[+ purplekow]

Well with the new information: Not that you asked but I vote for you to take it. You love it and there will always be some downside to every location. If you are happy with where you live, you will be happier in your life and you will be a better escort.

[+ azdr0710]

if you like it, and if you've done your "due diligence" re: the project being actually fully financed and finished on time (some problems like that out here in Arizona!), your own finances, what is included and not, condo rules and regs, etc., then go for it.....

 

only thing I can think of is security, management, neighbors catching on to what you're doing, complaining, and maybe trying to kick you out or call the police....

 

also, yes, I'd definitely tell clients the entire story before they arrive....you'll probably need to meet some in the lobby, meet some outside, but others won't care....make sure the "no ID" thing holds....I probably would not want to have to sign in, but would ask you to meet me somewhere short of the concierge.....

[+ Gar1eth]

Mark, and I apologize if this was answered earlier in this thread, but if the clientS called you beforehand, and you came down to meet them, would the client still have to sign in?

 

Gman

[Mark Gordon]

Mark, and I apologize if this was answered earlier in this thread, but if the clientS called you beforehand, and you came down to meet them, would the client still have to sign in?

 

No Gman, I could come down and accompany guests directly to my apt, by-passing the concierge, if they wished.

[gregkidman]

You could also be a part-time counsellor or therapist.

A massage therapist with a really, really happying ending! LOL!

But seriously, just say you're a part time massage therapist. Then all those one hour appointments make sense to the doormen.

[bobchitown]

A massage therapist with a really, really happying ending! LOL!

But seriously, just say you're a part time massage therapist. Then all those one hour appointments make sense to the doormen.

 

This was going to be my suggestion. As long as the building allows use of the unit for business purposes you could just become anything you wanted to be. Massage therapist might be a little too close to the line. Why not tell them you're a CPA or financial counselor and see clients in your home - an hour or so is probably about a normal CPA appointment time.

 

I actually go to a massage guy who has a doorman, they call up to say "bobchitown" is downstairs and he says to let me come on up. The doorman is always very professional, but I do have to say that if this was for a true escort session I'd feel a little funny, and this is without needing to sign in or anything.

 

As much as the OP wants to "live in the sky", I'd go with the no doorman option if at all possible.

[Epigonos]

Mark I have been out of town the last few days and thus I just became aware of this thread. I am a member of my Condominium Board of Directors here in Southern California. Now I know absolutely NOTHING about condominium law in Canada but here in the U.S. condo complexes are governed by C C & R's (Conditions, Covenants & Restrictions). The C C & R's in most complexes, including mine, state clearly that businesses in the home ARE not permitted. This condition has been upheld in numerous state and federal court decisions.

 

By law, here in the U.S., all condominium purchasers must be given a copy of the C C & R’s prior to buying a unit. If the buyer then purchases the unit it is understood that he has read and agrees to all its terms and conditions. Even is the buyers was NOT given a copy of the C C & R’s they remain valid and any action taken by the purchaser would be directed against to real estate agent who sold the unit.

[doitb4ugo]

Come and get me.

 

No Gman, I could come down and accompany guests directly to my apt, by-passing the concierge, if they wished.

 

 

That would make me comfortable.....not to mention liking to be fetched....

 

Go for it.

[Guest Spanky]

That would make me comfortable.....not to mention liking to be fetched....

 

Go for it.

 

Also not to mention, meeting Mark outside or even in the lobby would give me a chance to get over the initial shock of being overwhelmed by his hotness . Would help me settle down a little before the session actually started.

 

Mark, not to be prurient, but having lived in several condos I can tell you that soundproofing is important. I even recall a thread here where we heard about a wireless network named "we can hear you having sex" so you might want to ask the builder about this and also figure out whether your bedroom shares a party wall with your neighbors.

 

At the end of the day though, it's a blessing when you really love the place you live. I think if you really love this place and will be able to call it a home, you should go for it and then figure out a way to make the business side of things work. Condo boards, nosy neighbors, and meddlesome doormen aside, I think you'll be happier. My two cents.

[buckguy]

You definitely should ask for the condo rules. In the US, jurisdictions vary regarding when you get to see these. In DC, co-ops have to provide these early in the contract process, but condos do not have this requirement. A co-op technically involves buying shares in a corporation which may explain the difference.

 

As for conducting business---the rules may be rather complicated. It's not unusual for people to run some sort of side business or a consulting business out of their homes, but it is usually done quietly.

 

The good news/bad news of living in a building with 400 people is that you may never know your neighbors. It's likely, too, that a significant fraction of the units will be rented-out, which fairly regular turnover. A big building will mean less information about good service people and other things that are essential to home ownership.

[Mark Gordon]

Sold!

 

The deal is done. With excitement and some trepidation, I will be taking occupancy May 13th.

[doitb4ugo]

That's Great

 

The deal is done. With excitement and some trepidation, I will be taking occupancy May 13th.

 

Congratulations. That's great Mark. I hope you will enjoy many happy times there.

Doing what feels right is always the best choice.