It is phenomenon I have noticed myself. On the rare the rare occasion I've gone back and it's usually about the third time, there is a definite backing off on the gas pedal so to speak. Not every time or every SP but certainly some.
As for being a regular, I've often kept in mind something a SP said on here a number of years ago. I think it was a similar subject as this. She had a regular who she who was perfectly fine in his behavior etc but she just didn't like and dreaded when the booking request came through from him. She obviously provided a good experience for him each time and he kept coming back. In his mind he was probably thinking he was seeing an old friend. To her it was nothing but an ordeal. It did make me realise things are not always as they seem
In the near twenty or so years I've been doing this I've never gone beyond knowing just the user name they use and that's it. I've always treated this as a brief time of fantasy and escape from the humdrum of normal life, nothing more.
I find regulars are not a homogenous group of people, they are all individuals, not clones. Also what suits one punter, may not suit another - some punters want to skip around, do not want to rebook. Also some cannot rebook, they are moving around the country or may not even return to the same area again or a tourer they like may not return.
Yes even though I have many fantastic regulars, it is not all sunshine and roses there can be issues. Also if an SP has many regulars, going out of her way for everyone could be simply impossible and unmanageable, potentially overwhelming. Some interesting things to note are that some punters think 'regular' means rebooking a couple of times 2, 3 bookings sometimes over some years. Ok by the end of year 2 a six monthly booking pattern has now arisen = regular, but I have regulars who have had 50 bookings with me, but this is not a competition.
Some regulars can still be unreliable, regularly unreliable, difficult and or awkward. Some when given special consideration, understanding, going out of my way for them, giving them something extra can seem to expect more and more.
Also regulars can stop booking for many reasons not necessarily as a result of something I do, reasons can include health, financial, relationship, their job or business, family things, or simply they fancy a change or move on. I find new and infrequent clients can be just as enjoyable/successful and everyone starts somewhere.
I once had a regular that my gut told me to dread, over time the gut was right because in the end he really turned, stepped completely over the mark. Truth-be-told the signs were already there I was simply being very soft/understanding, doubting my own instincts.
But on the sunny side many regulars I consider to be absolutely fabulous. Trust is built, some open up if and when they want to, a form of friendship within boundaries builds over time, both sides are appreciative and both sides know there is a business arrangement involved. No disillusionment. Others simply book, attend, have a good time, they do not want or need anything more - the next time I hear from them it's to make or attend their next booking (some make their next appointment at the end of each booking).
