Sort of new around here but are the ads for $25 deposit before meeting all scams. I've had a number and never bit but tested one tonight. Are they all scams or what?

For example, is this with some kind of agency, or with independents?  (I'm guessing the former.)

And what do you mean by you tested one?  Did you in fact send them $25?  What happened next?  I'm going to guess nothing.

There are some legitimate gals who request deposits, especially if you want them to travel to you, so that they are not stuck for airfare and hotel room costs should you decide not to see them.  That should only be done with gals with many stellar reviews.  Beyond that, a deposit if often a scam.

There are also sites that make you pay a fee (not a deposit even) just to look at their listings.  Those are definitely scams, and more often than not, they are just into stealing your credit card number.  Is this the kind of site you are talking about?

I've seen plenty of ads where a girl wants you to pre-pay especially if she is traveling.

But $25.00 seems well, Low, usually its 25 to 50% of the fee.

Where are you seeing these ads?

You said you never bit but tested tonight, what happened, and how was the money sent?

END OF MESSAGE

....forward them.  

    I do, however, agree that asking for a $25.00 deposit is a scam.  What does $25.00 cover?  Most courtesans I know, who book multi hour, and travel dates would never block out that much time without a deposit.

    Thankfully, we all have many options, and if you do not want to play by a certain ladies, or gentleman's rules, simply move on.

Hugs and Kisses,
Kelly

...that you can't afford to loose. What you discribe screams scam as does being asked to buying a cam show as a means of screening.
The only time a deposit might make sense is if a well established provider is coming to town just to see you or for an extended date, even then I would think twice. There are as many or more stories here about deposits gone wrong as there are about deposits gone right..
 Advancing your hard earned money to a girl you don't know, just because she says everybody does it, can be a quick way to find yourself with blue-balls and an empty wallet so beware and be informed before you decide to give a deposit to anyone.

To do so in an illegal activity, with the extra added bonus of potentially losing your money, makes zero sense to me.

hour or 2 incall date.  There just isn't.  
The one circumstance where I'd be conflicted, a quick hook up where we met at a coffee shop near a small hotel, so she knew I was going to show...   She wanted the cash to secure the room.   I agreed IF I could wait in her car so she couldn't bail on me.  She "found" the cash but it would have worked either way.
Actually a CL gal (back when) but cute & we had a good time.  I saw her a couple of times.

Give a deposit. She's going to be putting a lot of time and money aside for you, you might as well prove you're serious too. Will some be assholes? Yes. But that's life. All you can do is make sure you don't play with them.  

If it's $25 for an hour.... Eh.  

Maybe she's seeing four-five guys that day, and is super nice spreading the deposit around between them so she won't scare people away with the whole deposit thing.  

Maybe she's planning on stealing your money.  

Maybe she just needs the money a little sooner and figures this is the best way to do it without flat out asking someone for a loan.  

Maybe she really doesn't care that much, just wants to make sure you're invested in being there.  

Maybe she has a lot of interest, and rather than raise her rates, this is how she keeps the emails down.

Maybe she has been to/lives in an area with a high cancellation rate and is just trying not to shoot herself in the foot as often.  

The point is: who fuckin knows, and other than stealing, who fuckin cares? You're gonna give her that money eventually anyways, right? If she has reviews, and the back channel says that she's reliable, go for it. If it seems sketchy, it probably is.  

You'll see a lot of "indoctrination" comments on this board. Choose wisely who you want your advice from.

and are "sometimes" legit.

Deposits of $25 are almost ALWAYS a scam, and it is unlikely that you will ever see her or your money again.

I have never heard of a legitimate $25 deposit in this business, nor do I ever expect to.

and yes there is a lot of indoctrination here, but even the "usual suspects" are in agreement that this is most likely a scam. Personally I will even drop the "most likely" It is a scam, I would bet money on it sight unseen.

I seriously doubt it.

I did try to be even handed by allowing that "some" deposits are made for legitimate reasons, but all guys, newbie or otherwise should avoid sending "token" amounts of money to scam artists.

Some generalities, like "look twice before crossing the street" are actually good advice. NEVER sending a "token" deposit is one of those generalities that is very good advice.

I know of girls who do low deposits for reasons listed above. Not $25 low, but low enough that it bears mentioning when trying to educate rather than spoon feed.  

I prefer well rounded hobbyists is all.

Opening the door to the possibility that an unwise or unsafe action could possibly be safe or wise is not what the newbies need to hear.

When the odds are overwhelming that something is a scam, the advice should be "NEVER DO IT!!!" There are times for nuance and there is a time to be quite clear in giving advice. Allowing that there might be a chance that giving a $25 deposit is legit is NOT what a newbie needs to hear. He needs to know that the chances of him ever seeing his money again are no better than hitting the lottery.

Let me repeat my question to you. Have you EVER heard of a legitimate provider asking for a $25 deposit?

Or is it the not presenting things in a cookie cutter way that is bothering you?

And "not $25 low".

Now, again. What do you think I'm disagreeing with?

Or is it more important that you get to

Thanks for all the comments. I agree scams.