That's just the thing though. I only have my one regular cell and am absolutely not willing to go buy a burner phone just to visit one spa. It's not a money issue, it's the principle. If I'm going out of my way to buy a burner phone just to get a rub and tug, then what does that say about my priorities in life? I refuse to buy a phone for that particular purpose, since in my mind, I shouldn't have to.
I also miss being able to just go in and see whoever is available. I used to do that fairly often at Perla and it sucks not having it as an option anymore. Maybe I'm the rarity, but I feel weird planning out sessions many days ahead. I get horny on the spur of the moment, not days in advance. Having to put that kind of thing into a daybook feels strange and awkward.
You're probably right about it clearing out the shitty clients, but it's also costing them some good ones (I never once cancelled or didn't show, over 30+ bookings over the years). Hopefully at some point, competition pushes them to go back to a more sane booking system.