Recently I posted two messages about a problem I had with one provider who asked for money in advance, but didn't provide anything except excuses for not meeting.

This was a single exception to many positive experiences.  To present a full picture these are some of my other experiences:

(By the way, in all of these cases I am talking about visits of one or more days, commanding thousands of dollars each, something that neither client nor provider can easily accommodate as a cash transaction on the appointment date.)

I have seen a dozen or so women having paid them in advance by check or wire transfer.  Only one was dishonest.

One time, netMichelle said she lost my check and I sent her another.  When I subsequently saw that both checks were cashed, in her own charming way she immediately confessed to her confusion and refunded my money.

One time, lilyJune had to cancel a date after receipt of payment; she sent my money back.

Another time, Suzanne of South Florida, who I had previously seen, sending her money in advance every time, asked to borrow money, when she experienced unexpected, very large medical expenses.  I lent her the money, and she repaid every penny.

All in all, my experiences with providers and money have been very positive, well worth the risks and much better then my experiences with building contractors, for example.