Do you ladies find BP useful?
I gave it a brief try 3 yrs ago (when it was $10/ad) and would get bombarded with 25-30 texts (not phonecalls like my ad states new clients need to do) within a 2-3 hr timeframe. This is because they're surfing at work. Why they couldn't call me on their break or arrange a convenient time to call via text is beyond me. I was lucky if even one of them had taken two minutes to read my ad re: services (allowed then as pre Bill C-36), prices, etc. I found it to be more hassle than it was worth.
Have things changed?
P.S. Robin and Others,
I'm an old school SP that doesn't require references or work info. in lieu of lack of references, only that you call me and talk to me like a human being for our initial contact, which as can be seen few are willing to do. I also ask that before I drive 45 min's to 1 hr, not including time spent packing for an outcall to TO, that a client give me their full name so that I can call the hotel and verify they're present and accounted for by being put through to their rm. before heading out.
The difference is that I don't have a driver possibly waiting for me downstairs if something goes wrong or an agency backing me, so require a little more assurance. I've been doing this for some years and am completely trustworthy and reliable. However, I might as well be starting out fresh given the attitude of many potential clients. Why contact us for an appointment if we're too far for you to travel, over your budget, require a phone call and you're at work, etc., etc., etc.? Every day I have my time completely wasted and still I don't ask for more info. than the basics (first name so I can refer to you as something other than 'hey you', cell # which is needed upon your arrival at my incall, email if prebooking as it's a more discrete way to communicate if clarification is needed prior to meeting and a last name if booking an outcall for hotel verification). It's to protect myself and for no other reason. Like I said, I'm independent and don't have an agency fielding my calls, providing me with an incall location and driver and basically backing me on the boards.
On the red board agency girls who aren't in blue can post ad nauseum (something I never did), drumming up business for themselves but if I post a simple "thank you" to a comment concerning me by a member as a non paid SP the post is removed. I think you'll all agree that appreciation for a review should be allowed either way. The agencies appear to have all the power there.
Forgive me for the rant, but the atmosphere is changing drastically post Bill C-36. This isn't a Cold War between SPs and members/clients. We as Independents are just trying to protect ourselves against the very negative attitudes we're receiving from some members. It appears from the outside looking in that members are less likely to give agencies the run around as they are us. Oh well, I messed up and can't see Sophia vs. Mirage has blacklisted me and that probably means Eye Candy as well. Big difference! This is why there are more posts in the PSA section of the red board by Indies than by Agencies. Maybe I should start asking for handles and references as well! If I had references for an outcall I wouldn't feel the need to call the hotel to verify, etc.
raying: Surprised no one has, must be a hard thing to run?
