Many providers have it spelled out clearly on their websites. If you're seeing BP girls just throw it in the air and "make it rain".
This topic was suggested by a post by OhCharlie on the general board entitled “What Are the Hoops You Guys Have to Jump Through.” Seeing as that thread played out extensively and went down divergent paths, I take the liberty of starting a new thread here.
When I started the hobby nobody schooled me on handling payment, which resulted in learning some lessons the hard way. I carried the cash folded in my pocket, and I once accidentally shorted a provider by $20 because one bill stayed in my pocket when I pulled the wad out. She counted it in front of me and said it was short, at which point I discovered the error and sheepishly handed it over. However, she apparently thought I did it intentionally and complained to the agency, because I have been shut out from that agency ever since, which is truly galling and unfair.
I similarly once shorted a provider $100 and realized it just after leaving, so I had to go back and ring the doorbell to give it to her.
Eventually I realized it’s best to handle payment in such a way that it doesn’t need to be discussed at all, which adds to the pleasant illusion (for both parties) that the encounter is about pleasure, not business. So I put the $ in an envelope and put the envelope in the chest pocket of my shirt. I leave the envelope in the pocket when I take my shirt off unless the provider asks for payment; if she does I readily hand over the envelope and she usually puts it on the dresser without looking inside. If she wants to count it, no big deal, it’s just a momentary distraction. If she doesn’t ask for the payment I leave the envelope in my shirt until I’m getting dressed, then discreetly put it in plain sight on the dresser. I even play a little game of trying to do it when she is not looking to see if she is thinking about it. Somehow they always seem to know and never ask for it, even if they were out of the room when I was getting dressed.
Just walk in, put the envelope on the dresser. Done.
I was taught that the fee goes into an unsealed plain envelope, which is clearly deposited on the desk or elsewhere in the room shortly after your arrival; you then excuse yourself to wash your hands etc. to give the lady a chance to check the donation but not in front of you. I have done this dozens of times, and I thought this was standard procedure in the hobby, so don't understand how no one has told you this. Standard procedure. Not a new issue.
If a lady is intruded upon, or stopped, by LE, aren't envelopes with $$$ even more incriminating?
And what is the rationale for doing the envelope thing? Does anyone think that exchange is any less incriminating, or is it just a delusion that somehow this is only discretely about money? It's always puzzled me, would appreciate someone explaining the rationale for this convention.
When I started the hobby nobody schooled me on handling payment, which resulted in learning some lessons the hard way. I carried the cash folded in my pocket, and I once accidentally shorted a provider by $20 because one bill stayed in my pocket when I pulled the wad out. She counted it in front of me and said it was short, at which point I discovered the error and sheepishly handed it over. However, she apparently thought I did it intentionally and complained to the agency, because I have been shut out from that agency ever since, which is truly galling and unfair.
I similarly once shorted a provider $100 and realized it just after leaving, so I had to go back and ring the doorbell to give it to her.
Eventually I realized it’s best to handle payment in such a way that it doesn’t need to be discussed at all, which adds to the pleasant illusion (for both parties) that the encounter is about pleasure, not business. So I put the $ in an envelope and put the envelope in the chest pocket of my shirt. I leave the envelope in the pocket when I take my shirt off unless the provider asks for payment; if she does I readily hand over the envelope and she usually puts it on the dresser without looking inside. If she wants to count it, no big deal, it’s just a momentary distraction. If she doesn’t ask for the payment I leave the envelope in my shirt until I’m getting dressed, then discreetly put it in plain sight on the dresser. I even play a little game of trying to do it when she is not looking to see if she is thinking about it. Somehow they always seem to know and never ask for it, even if they were out of the room when I was getting dressed.
to put it in an envelope, no?
xoxo
Caylee
No experienced provider is going to keep a bunch of envelopes, each with $$$$ in them, because that IS incriminating, while a bundle of cash is not so much. The envelope thing is just a convenient way of transferring the funds without actually handing over cash, which can somewhat cheapen the experience for some sensitive folks. Plus, dropping the envelope & going into the bathroom to 'freshen up' affords her a chance to count the donation not in front of the client; many ladies I have seen have a support network they need to call AFTER verifying the donation to say everything is OK. And yes, it is a little bit of maintaining the GFE illusion; after all, that's part of what many of us are paying for in the first place.
Sure many of us providers greatky enjoy what we do. Love it even. But we all know we are getting paid, and you know you are paying us so just lay the money out on the table , nightstand or bathroom sink. It is easier to just put it there in full view and then just enjoy yourselves! In an envelope or out in the open , doesn't really matter to me. And many providers are very aware of their surroundings and notice things like an envelope here or there , among other things.
Upon arrival just pay the lovely lady and then get ready to have some fun! If you are with the right lady, she too will be enjoying herself. 
The envelope is simply a convenient way to handle the cash and complete the transaction. Loose cash can fall and flutter to the floor, or accidentally stay behind in a pocket. Nobody wants this. It's the main reason for the envelope. Nothing more.
If LE should knock on the door, it would also be a simple matter to hide the cash because it's tucked in an envelope and easy to move around. Stick chewing gum on the envelope and paste it outside the window or under a piece of furniture.
As for getting banned by an agency, there are flakes running some of them. You can get banned for just changing the time of your appointment. Money issues notwithstanding.
As I mentioned I don't care if it's in an envelope or not. And anything can be hidden and anything can be found. Le can find envelopes.
Love the idea about sticking gum on the envelope and sticking it outside the window. Most hotels though when you are on higher floors don't have windows for you to open , or if so, the screens don't open. Good idea though!!!!!
Many providers have it spelled out clearly on their websites. If you're seeing BP girls just throw it in the air and "make it rain".
any witness or photo would not see money being exchanged. And leaving the envelope unsealed probably had the intent of avoiding tearing it open, which might be used as further evidence of an exchange. Not saying that would be a successful legal defense, but that's probably the original thought behind it. Best procedure might be to ask to wash your hands and then leave the envelope in the bathroom. That reduces the odds that anyone sees or documents that anything was exchanged.
An alternative method would be to roll up the dough and insert it in your ass, then request prostate play. Again, not sure this would be a successful legal defense.
I think it is fair to say that everything changes after the first meeting. All of this angst is generally associated with the first time you meet someone and if the provider has an exchange preference they will put it on their website
In more polite circles giving an unwrapped monetary gift is simply crass and vulgar. Any monetary gift from me to anyone goes into an envelope usually with a gift card.
But this is perhaps 'old school'. To see how it was done in civilized society in the 60s see Season 4 episode 2 of Mad Men. Don Draper gives his secretary a cash bonus at Christmas in the genteel manner.
It puts the envelope on the dresser when it enters the room, or it gets the hose. It puts the envelope on the dresser when it enters the room or it gets the hose. It....PUT THE FREAKING ENVELOPE ON THE DRESSER!!!! (lol)
How you managed to make a comparison between that scene and the hobby is too funny! 
xoxo
Caylee
write "Donation to American Red Cross" on the white envelope; which I thought was a pretty good idea.
I typically place it on the vanity when I go to the bathroom to shower.
OF COURSE it is at least in the back of our minds, somewhere.... unless for some reason, the lady has offered her services to you pro bono.
Yes, I take a look around the room just before my client leaves, not only to check that the donation has been deposited, but also to be sure he hasn't accidentally left his sunglasses, work ID, keys, or anything else.
If I do not see the donation, then I have to ask. That is usually an awkward moment that I prefer to avoid.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Thanks to all, especially the ladies who have weighed in. I am eternally grateful to the providers I have known (well, most of them) and want to be a "model client." I see now that withholding the envelope doesn't improve the experience and could cause concern to the provider. Henceforth I will discreetly put it out upon arrival.
which is what i think you meant by playing games...
you can always draw pretty photos or color on the envelope. 
or if we were to meet (and I'm sure many others, but i dont want to speak for all) - you can stop by party city and get a fun money handler. they have chinese take out boxes and other off the wall things. just drop it in the bathroom or the dresser and we can have a little laugh.