In some cases, yes. In fact, I contacted a lawyer once about a potential lawsuit and was told that in order to contact him -- not talk to him -- I had to pay a fee. Which I did. Because I needed specialized help and he had great reviews.
Perhaps in some rare cases, but I can't think of a personal service industry where application fees are the rule and not the exception. And lawyers sometimes need to establish attorney/client privacy privileges, which require some financial consideration.
Go do some research. You will see that some require application fees. In fact, if you've ever rented an apartment or got licensed they you paid one. I had to pay a fee to take an exam to get licensed when I worked in finance. These things cover associated costs.
Yes, and there are college application fees also. But that is about engaging an organization for some type of certification. Not the same as engaging an individual for a few hours of personal services. Also, the apartment rental or licensing firm would likely answer a few questions before taking the fee.
1. Your argument says that it's okay for clients make phony or abusive calls, emails, and form submissions but it's not okay for us to charge fees because it's "exploitative". Ergo: Men can exploit women but women cannot exploit men. Women should allow themselves to be exploited.
No, it's not "OK". But it happens. It is part of doing business. Have you never walked into a store even though you had no intention of buying anything?
3. Your argument says that not every inquiry results in revenue. Ergo: People should accept that they must offer their expertise and labor for free.
And your argument says that someone selling a personal service for upwards of $500 an hour should also be immune from any type of sales cost or effort. So don't offer your expertise, just tell them if you are comfortable with their request. "No, I cannot sing opera while standing on your chest".
But if, say, 90% of your work fielding client inquiries would not result in revenue would you still make the argument above? Would you not try to find a way to reduce or eliminate spending your time this way? Knowingly allowing yourself to walk into these scenarios? Especially when some of it is abusive and degrading?
Oh, I absolutely would try to reduce the wasted time. For example I don't answer unknown numbers on my phone because they are probably "IRS agents" who are going to send me to jail if I don't send them Amazon Gift Cards.
One thing that I've seen Mistresses do is to send the response from an 'assistant' in a very business like fashion. Other Mistresses send responses that say things like "Yes, I'd like to make you my little b*tch" but others are strictly conventional business in tone.
So, charge a fee if you wish. I will seek out providers who are willing and able to answer a respectful question or two. And I would expect to be ignored for a salacious, disrespectful email, which I suspect will be treated as just another piece of spam. And I would not expect more than two responses before being asked to pay up or go away.
Previous Topic
Index
