So what's with providers now wanting deposits?  Do legit providers do this or is it mostly scams???

I started requiring deposits to book over a decade ago.  Where have you been?  Deposits are now normal as they should be because our time is valuable as well as yours. Respect is a 2 way street for me darling.

Though I am not very active these days, I still do see 1 lady and I talk to others.  In my time I have seen probably 150-200 ladies.  Not 1 required a deposit.  Even touring ladies.  I can't tell u how many gents I have talked to who put a deposit down only to have the lady cancel.  Most never got their money back.  Most ladies would like to reschedule.  But if a guy is traveling for work for example, that might not be possible (ie, he is leaving the next day).  A lady has to respect a gents time also.  As Queen says, its a 2 way street.  Things happen in life.  Its just the way it is.  On both sides.  If taking a deposit works for a lady, fine, thats her choice and if a guy wants to pay it, cool.   Its entirely up to u.  Its your money at risk.

I ask for one from time to time and I am certainly not a scam. Please do not group all ladies asking for a deposit into the same group! I can assure you - a measly $300 isn't worth me ruining my reputation over. Photo shoots alone cost $500-2k, plus everything else. Do your research, just like if you were looking to see if she has reviews. Again please - do not assume we all are dishonest when asking for deposits.

Thank you for responding.  I've been in the hobby for about 15 years and its really only in the last year I've heard of providers requiring deposits.  I have been ripped of by a provider who gave me a phony address after I sent money, fortunately it wasn't much.  I can understand providers getting miffed at hobbyists for not showing up at an appointed time but I can't justify giving money upfront to someone I don't know.  When I challenge them about the possible rip-off, the stock answer is always "Oh I would never do that, I'm not that kind of person".  Well how do we know?  There is a bit of trust that happens in these transactions, I don't know if your a cop, you don't know what my intentions are.  I guess that why we have sites like TER to help both sides feel safer.  By the way, many sites are discouraging hobbyists from giving deposits or joining some dating site as possible rip-offs.  I'm sure you are both wonderful providers, this was just my experience.

If a gal can get a deposit and not limit her business - more power to her.

I did it once.. years ago with a " lady" that I had seen twice before and was  a TER top rated provider... she took it and I never saw her again.  
I understand why a lady would like a deposit.. but I can't afford to just lose $600... So if someone requires a deposit, I pass and do so politely. I respect her choice.

If we all hold our ground and don't give in to the deposit requests, they will go away.  

To quote you Sir:  
"We have an obligation to show up to  
appointments we make.  
If we hold up on our end of the bargain
 the girls won't feel the need to ask for deposits."

My Birthday is this month & every time I make a reservation for lunch, or dinner it requires me to enter my debit card information to reserve the table. Being a luxury companion is no different. Fine dinning requires reservations with a card to secure your booking it is standard. The meal alone is $200-$300 when I go out because I want the best experience possible. The fellas who state I will never see a woman who requires a deposit are just missing out.  

U are not being judged.  This is your business model.  And if u are having success with it, fine, more power to u.  But, imho, u are judging men who won't pay a deposit.   That they are missing out.  I call that BS.  There are too many ladies who do just fine without taking a deposit.  I mean, there seems to be one lady who charges $500 just to take an app and then won't refund the money.  And threatens the guys.  Granted, as word gets around, she won't last long.  I have just heard of too many ladies who screwed guys out of their deposit.  Sorry, just the way it is.  

If it works for you go with it.  i have been around longer than I would like.
My first review on TER was 2000.  I have never been asked for a deposit, even when traveling.  I wish ladies were as on time as me.  I am never late and often drive around so as not to show up early.

I have no problems with attaining those when scheduling . It’s just a firm appt and not wondering if I will be ghosted.

A provider has the right to ask for anything she wants. You have the right to pay it or not. No need to bitch about it. She has her rules and you should have yours. I wouldnt pay a dime in deposit.  I do understand the ladies are worried about no shows. But what about a when a provider decides not to answer her phone anymore now that you have spend an hour in traffic to get there? where is my compensation?  

.......and spare me, spare us the phony outrage. Deposits are many times a scam and absolute red flag. The bigger the deposit the better chance you with be fucking yourself in the end.

As a single super Mom with young children, and a dog Mom it is not in my best interest to not require deposits. As the head of my house hold & matriarch I can not afford to take that chance that my time may not be respected. Back when I had no family I operated differently. I never required deposit's because I was available.

I been burn a few times for not asking for at least the cover of room and travel. I never have ask for a deposit but some men when we don't ask for the deposit easily cancel with no reward. I am very low volume provider so its a lot harder when someone cancels.

For every guy who post bs about not doing deposits there are real true gentlemen who have no problem paying in full before the date. The guys who are supplying deposits are not on TER posting on all the boards. Some men, do not want to exchange money during the session it can ruin the vibe. If a gent really cares about you as a person & not just a provider they will do anything to make you happy, so you do the same for them.  

To quote you Sir:  

No deposit no date no play it’s that simple ..I’m all about quality elite gentleman that have no issue with sending me deposit . Anyone else I ban them from meeting me if they don’t screen no only i request deposit im pre booking only im low volume so anytime I host once or twice per year im book up know you’re worth lady !
When u go Hight end dinner I give them deposit some restaurant requires $50 in front to book  Hight end companion is the same deposit to secure booking or bye Felicia !

and I didn't get a depoist ,,guess what he's a NS NC....
So trusting of him to show up and now im out 450$ and a hotel room.

For every one who will not give there will be 3 who will .
Heck I had to give back a depoist my flight was 6hr's late he could not change his time
I'm not going to cry over giveing a depoist back if I can't keep appt , but I better be 6ft, under before I flake out on appt that is set ,,
Not going to ricsk my rep over a little 50-100$

A lady has all rights in the world to ask for deposit  and you have all the rights in the world not to give and move on.
Everyone sets their own policies. I certainly have mine.