Usually deposits are used by visiting providers to reducing the cost of no-shows. Since there is limited time for a visiting provider to conduct business in a city, plus the additional expenses of airline ticket and hotel room, it is reasonable for her to ask for a deposit. Most of the visiting providers or their agencies have good reviews. Otherwise they risk the chance of having lower than expected responses.
Since there is a lot of bait and switch in this business, there is too much risk in making a up front deposit for a local provider.
Even though Paypal does not mail statements to a household, a customer still need to do a credit card or deposit bank account transfer to supply funds to Paypal. Maybe he can sell items on Ebay and receive Paypal payments. However, this requires extra effort and time and is not so easy for everyone.
Given the slow down in hobby activities elsewhere, if a provider is "so popular that she could easily ask for the entire fee up front", more power to her.
Link to thread "Where did all the hobbyist go?" in General discussion.
http://theeroticreview.com/msgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=12&Page=1&Messageid=26121
-- Modified on 7/28/2002 7:24:53 AM
What is it with the hobbyists who won't use Paypal but still try to make appointments with providers who require this?
Paypal is discrete and does not mail statements to your house or show in any other normal method so I wonder what the apprehension of it is?
A friend of mine requires Paypal deposits because she does not want to waste her time with no-shows and her website states this up front quite clearly.
She still has to deal quite often with guys who try to get around the paypal requirement.
She is merely asking for a guarantee that they will show up.
They don't realize how good they have it right now.
She is so popular that she could easily be asking for them to pay the entire fee up front like some of the VIP high digit escorts do.
Maybe she should just double her price and let the the customers absorb the stress and cost of doing business on their terms.
Bottom line is, if a provider requires Paypal deposits in order to make a date with her, either leave her alone or else sign up for Paypal and comply.
Anything else and you are just ruining someone elses fun on purpose.
Most hobbist don't do like to use paypal because as this business goes, here today gone tomorrow. In addition, I believe in paying when services are rendered.
How about if the provider doesn't show up. And, the person already pays pay pal. Does he get credited back to his credit card or does he lose it?
Usually deposits are used by visiting providers to reducing the cost of no-shows. Since there is limited time for a visiting provider to conduct business in a city, plus the additional expenses of airline ticket and hotel room, it is reasonable for her to ask for a deposit. Most of the visiting providers or their agencies have good reviews. Otherwise they risk the chance of having lower than expected responses.
Since there is a lot of bait and switch in this business, there is too much risk in making a up front deposit for a local provider.
Even though Paypal does not mail statements to a household, a customer still need to do a credit card or deposit bank account transfer to supply funds to Paypal. Maybe he can sell items on Ebay and receive Paypal payments. However, this requires extra effort and time and is not so easy for everyone.
Given the slow down in hobby activities elsewhere, if a provider is "so popular that she could easily ask for the entire fee up front", more power to her.
Link to thread "Where did all the hobbyist go?" in General discussion.
http://theeroticreview.com/msgBoard/ViewMsgBody.asp?BoardID=12&Page=1&Messageid=26121
-- Modified on 7/28/2002 7:24:53 AM
It's pretty sad that I just happen to have had 3 no shows this weekend! Totally ruined my weekend as I could not do the things I wanted to do. Complete waste of time and money for me!
I don't think any of them were TER members - just newbies.
So just maybe a non-refundable $25.00-$50.00 deposit isn't so bad for certain people. I accept paypal, but maybe I should require it for non-TER members, or members without any reviews.....
What do you think???
P.S. - I do understand things come up, but a phone call would be nice! I know I have had to cancel before, but I try to give as much notice as possible. These 3 people didn't call, email, or anything - just didn't show up -
-- Modified on 7/28/2002 11:19:28 AM
If the deposit is non-refundable, does that mean if YOU don't show, you still keep the deposit?
This is not against or about Autumn. I have never heard of her flaking on a client. It is just a question I have always had since I first saw a NONREFUNDABLE deposit.
If I didn't show for whatever reason, I would definitely give a refund if I couldn't show or sometimes I have just rescheduled and given him a huge discount.
I guess you'd really have to be careful with some girls though. I remember a discussion a while back where the cash and dash girls were using paypal for half the fee and not showing up. Unfortunately, if it wasn't for TER, it would make people skeptical of us all.
Honestly, I prefer not to use paypal since they take a lot of the money. I don't think it's fair to charge the hobbyist extra for that either.
I have always been one to trust the guys I see with the cash. I have been gipped a few times by being so trusting, but overall, most of the guys I see probably wouldn't do that to me. I do my research on a guy before I accept an appointment. Just like you do your research on me before you decide you want to see me.
Paypal is a drag - I offered it for convenience only for the hobbyist.
If the provider takes the deposit and then does not show, she is risking her reputation and not showing very good business sense.
The real question is whether or not the deposit is considered part of the actual fee for services or whether it is merely for her time to set up the appointment and guarantee her to meet you.
There is some discussion that if it takes five emails to set up the first date, then isn't the provider deserving to be paid for this. I can see it going 50/50.
With the upcoming buyout of Paypal by E-Bay, several business pundits have argued that Paypal will suspend it's services for the sex trade. Although they were referring mostly to porn sites, I would imagine it would equally apply to escort services. Afterall, the purpose behind the buyout is for Paypal to be the financing arm supporting Ebay's core bartering services.
One other thing about Paypal. My understanding is that they were extremely "helpful" to Florida LE in their recent bust of TBD.
OK, I have to add that the provider I was referring to was doing business legally in Mexico......so there is no problem with LE in this scenario.
One of the nicest things about Paypal and credibility with a provider is that you can reach a point where you can just look at her and say "I'll pay you later by paypal, let's go for it right now"!
Of course this does not work if you are a first timer or if the provider is worried that you will never pay her, but if you are a regular, it is an added benefit because you have built up some trust with her. And it is common to run out of money while across the border.......
in times of uncertainity why leave a paper trail . . .and i've set up appointments with tania without using paypal - so what's all the hubbub bub. . .
There are guys like you who have forced Tania to bend her rules....and consequently fume when she has a no show. I doubt that you made a very good impression on her by not using paypal.
I also would suppose that you refused to send her a picture of yourself as well and she probably had to pick you out of the crowd when meeting your for the first time.
Try looking at it from her point of view and not yours.
After all, she always has provided the very best service. Why is it that her clients cannot return the courtesy and make her happy?
When she asks me what is wrong with these guys, what would you propose that I respond to her with.....?
careful with your assumptions my friend as i indeed did send a photo, which was not only courteous, but also smart. the paypal issue was one of not leaving a trail. i only deal in cash when going on this type of journey - my preference as others have their own. tania had no trouble with it then or now. if she insists paypal with you or others that is her decision. like in all relationships people get treated differently and if one prefers not to deal with paypal or providers who only use such a system -so be it. in the mean time have fun, enjoy life and most of all thanks for turning me on tania some months back - not sure if you remembered.
If the following 2 conditions are met, I have no problem whatsoever with a deposit:
1) The lady has a great reputation, and a significant investment in a specific identity - i.e. it is her brand equity that is at stake if she flakes. She must have something of value to put up as collateral, her good name and reputation IS her collateral.
2) The deposit must be REASONABLE. To me, 50% of the cost of a multi-hour appointment is quite a bit too high. To my mind, nothing greater than the larger of $100, or 25% of the session cost, constitutes a reasonable deposit. The lady has to have significant incentive to complete the appointment. If I've already paid half, and she's not done anything yet, she might figure that 50% of the cash with 0% of the effort is a better deal than showing up.