Sound advice, I would add if she no shows you to post who it was.
Ok. I have been doing lots and lots of interviewing descreetly among local providers in the area and some are very top notch providers. My question for your advice is, if they ask money (downpayment) for an overnight stay is it worth it? I know this person is very reputable, I'm just not comfortable with the situation and my heart is broken becuase I want to help her out so much but I don't want to be busted either. Yes I am new at this and I'm being very very careful, I'm very stuck right now.
Tad Morose.
Have you met the lady before? If not, to book an overnight for the first meeting is very risky. How do you know the two of you is going to click? if you met the lady for a shorter period before and had chemistry with her, then asked yourself was she punctual, did she change or cancel the date with some excuse, did she return your call or email promptly?...etc... If after all the considerations, and you have no uneasy feeling, then you have minimized the risk to a minimum....(IMHO)
" Let the buyer beware "
It is very normal for a provider to ask for a deposit on a overnight stay ( or longer ) .After all she knows nothing about you , and she may feel the need to secure such a long time slot .
If she is a well known and well reviewed provider it shouldn't be a problem . She wouldn't risk her great reputation over your down payment . If she is well known there is no chance you will get "busted"
I had many clients book me for longer appointments even though they never met me before. It was never a problem . But I did talk to them quite a bit over the phone to feel a connection and I also gave them the option that if they ( or I ) felt we are not clicking we can short cut our time together and I would collect fee for only time spent and no hard feelings .
Hope this helps , xoxo CindySpice
If you've researched and found that she's honest and dependable, I think it's fine to give her the deposit. After all, SHE can't research you the way that YOu can research her here on T.E.R., so she probably wants that deposit as a guarantee, more or less, that you won't be a no-show. As long as she has a good amount of reviews that show her to be honest and dependable, I wouldn't hesitate to give her that deposit.
Sound advice, I would add if she no shows you to post who it was.
I have sent deposits on many occasions and have NEVER been ripped off one dime. In fact, I've never been ripped off in any way, in the room, from my pockets while in the shower, from my money clip on the dresser, or in any other way by a provider.
I once had a lady return almost 1K in cash through the mail, when her plans changed and she couldn't see me. The vast majority of good providers are as honest as anyone you're likely to find anywhere. They're basically lovers of people, and wonderful ladies.
Go for it,
Jacksonlips