Turning down a dinner invitation
I have a customer who has told me I'm his ATF. He comes in to see me once to twice a week. We've talked alot and I enjoy his company. But his last visit, he asked if we could get together for dinner sometime. I don't know how common it is to meet customers out of the club, but it's not something I want to do. How can I put this nicely without losing him as a customer?
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
I don't think there is an answer that will guarantee that you don't lose him as a customer. It all depends on his mindset and motives behind asking. When I asked about customer generations, Sporty mentioned that many guys quit going when they are turned down for meets outside the club. :(
In my case, I had known my ATF over 1 year and had been a regular for 7 months when we met for dinner. If she had said no, it would not have changed things. I wasn't looking to date. I just wanted to spend more time talking because we are always so busy at the the club. LMAO! ;D
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
Q: I don't know how common it is to meet customers out of the club, but it's not necessarily something I want to get in a habit of doing. How can I put this nicely without losing him as a customer?
A: Tell him you've only been dancing a few months, and you don't feel comfortable yet taking Mandi into the real world. But if you ever do, it will be with him.... Personally, I think you should do the early bird special at the Hearth and Kettle with any regular you like who who can't get it up. They're safe and very appreciative.
Q: I know there are quite a few of you who have met ATF's outside of the club... was this initiated by you or by the dancer?
A: Always by the dancer. I had to put one off until next week because I already had two this week. They want social acceptance in the real world by a serious guy.
Q: How long had you been a customer before you met outside the club?
A: Shortest: one week. Longest: more than a year.
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
Quote:
I think the biggest problem is I'm not absolutely positive if he's just sekking a closer dancer/customer relationship or if he is looking for a little more.
How can I find out with out acting to presumptious (sp?) Wouls it be rude to ask?
Luv,
Amber
SW's suggestion was great! With regard to finding out his motives in a sneaky way... Say something like: "If I'm still your ATF at 6 months, I'll do it as a one time bonus." LOL. If he's looking for more, he'll go elsewhere anyway. If he just wants to enjoy your company in a non business setting, he'll stick around. :) By that time you should know him well enough to be comfortable.
BTW Thanks for the props! ;)
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
I don't know how to put it It's never happend to me. I'm the process of going out with my ATF. We talked about it for the last 3 months. It was more of finding time to do it. But, she's all for it. We were talking about movies and all I said we hove to go sometime. She said why not? We got to know each other pretty well already. After 3 months of conflicting schedules we're finally gonna go out.
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
Speaking from my ex-RIL point of view, I would guess that "he is looking for a little more..". If you turn him down you may have to do some fancy dancin' (no pun intended) to keep him as a good paying customer. Just my 2 cents I could be totally wrong...
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
How about "Ya know sweetie, if went I to dinner with everyone who asked me, I wouldn't have time to worK and dance for you."
It might piss him off, but hey it's true!
Re: Turning down a dinner invitation
Amber, when you make you decision pls let us know how you decide to handle. Your insight is always welcome.