I am in the camp of never paying a deposit, so far never have.  I see more and more request for them. So far I have always been able to find great ( non deposit )  providers. If a really hot provider came into your area that was must see in your book how would you do it ? As far as I know any electronic form of payment leaves a trail ? I am not willing to do any type of electronic form because of this. If I ever get that desperate my go to would be a picture text of a gift card . How have others dealt with this ?      

Depost required means must *not* see. I'd pass.

But seriously, this topic has been done to death.

No one prefers to send a deposit but the game has changed and many of the women who I am attracted to, now require one. Every woman (so far) that has asked for one, has allowed me to take a pic of an Amazon, Uber, etc gift card and send it by encrypted email. Deposits in general have not been an issue for me, but I also follow rules for deposits that has served me well so far.

deposits are okay if there is way to pay them discreetly.   Before you pursue this, I invite you to read a thread from earlier this year that gives you a little insight into how most (but not all) providers view deposits, and what can go wrong.  There are many good comments from veteran hobbyists here so you should read the entire thread.  

Giftcards are always an option. As a reputable provider who has been here on TER for almost two decades and I have required a deposit to book a date, since 2010 it’s really not a big deal for everyone who states pass there are many who don’t mind at all. I have never had any issues with receiving deposits. I have refunded deposits. We are all not bad here if you do your homework you can see who’s the real deal.

I am so happy to hear its worked out for you. I wanted to adopt a deposit policy but I've read so much back lash against them.  
I understand why you wouldn't want to send them from a clients perspective but from the providers view it helps ensure us that you aren't going to cancel. People often take "appointments" more seriously if there is some cold hard cash involved.  
I would easily take a gift card-if someone was ok with option.

Hobbyists,  
You got to understand that the Providers got to make $$$$MONEY$$$$. If you wanted free sex then you should be married. Never set a "DATE" with a Provider if you feel that there's a slight chance that you will not make it. That's a huge loss of pay for the Provider. There's no (ZERO) chance that a Provider can pick up her phone and call a Client to come over for her services. Unless the Provider lies by saying "Yes I have an availability" and she limits each Client time with her. So, Why waste her time.

NO ONE is suggesting providers don't have a right to make "$$$$MONEY$$$$."
The ONLY issue is whether guys should leave a deposit.
Geeesh.

I don’t think Kitty’s suggesting  the topic is “free sex”. What’s she’s doing with that phrase is reminding us not to take a provider’s time for granted.

Everyone online complains about deposits but it seems like many providers require them these days. Despite all the complaints providers keep charging, which probably means a few things are true like:

Agreed. For every guy complaining on the forums about deposits, there are many many more paying those deposits. Look at the TER Top Ten Providers. Hundreds of reviewers, and every one of those providers requires deposits.

I personally do not do deposits, but....
I am very strict about my scheduling policies.  
NCNS I am not rescheduling with you. If you reschedule with me twice I will give you one more chance and then no more.  
If you contact me more than twice to ask about my availability and have yet to schedule or send me your screening info I will give you once more chance or move on.  
If when I send you the reminder email if you do not respond by the end of the day I will taking you off the schedule and the next guy on my waiting list will be contacted to fill that spot.  
So no, I do not do deposits or cancellation fees and I am cheap as fuck but in return if you are not a reliable paying customer you will be removed from Miss Scarlet's bedroom fun time roster.  
I have had a few guys that it seems have seen other gals and just continued to pay the deposits and cancellation fees to be in "good standing" with the provider but are seldom actually booking and following through with appointments. I don't have time for that shit. Show up on time, pay your quarter to ride the pony, and then go about your life. If your life is so gawd damn messy you can't figure out how to schedule and keep your appointment then that is not someone I want as a client. Carry on.

Cashapp has a electronic trail to it like all online payment types. Definitely off the list for me !

As a ex business owner I truly understand the value of a sole proprietors time. On the other side providers should keep deposit levels reasonable. If the provider incurs no travel or other expenses for a proposed date it seems to me 10% to 20% is a reasonable number.  With that beings said I have only canceled twice in my 25+ years of seeing providers. Both time's ( luckily ) with regulars.  Both times at our next meeting I added $ 150 to the fee owed. Both providers seemed happy with that.  Thoughts  Pro or Con ?        

You have said that you were in camp no deposit and have been able to find what you need with no deposit.

As you will see, it's the macho thing to say "I don't pay no stinkin' deposits!" The sad truth is: These respondents probably pay more than they let on.

I see tons of elite ladies without deposit. No no no

Of course you do.

Could you please cite the source of this "truth"?

You must remember this from the Village People:

Thanks for bringing an intelligent point of view to this conversation!

You missed his point. You’re talking about risk management practices by guys who generally don’t pay deposits.

And I've asked to show whom he (I presume it's a fellow client ?) is talking about. Give some examples with proof. Which I don't think customers have unless they're extremely close with some provider who drips them info.  

It's okay to review with an alias, but Real men don't come here and pick fights from an alias.   In fact, it's against the posting rules.   It doesn't have much to do with macho or not, only cowardice or not.  

Who's picking a fight? I am simply injecting some humor.

Don’t you?

👏👏👏
Well said all around!

I implemented a small holding deposit for every session at the beginning of the year and it has worked out well for me and my business.  I do have this stated on all my ads and on my website.  
Sessions 2 hours or longer require an actual deposit and if it is a FMTY or out all those fees paid upfront too.  
I accept cash app or amazon gift card code.  What kind of paper trail is there if someone purchases the gift card in person with cash then gives the provider the code?  🤔
Anyways.  
If I need to cancel a tour for whatever reason I refund deposits unless they specifically ask to keep until next time.  
I have only kept one $100 holding deposit from a client because he deserved it with his behavior/attitude towards me and him being 30 minutes late to a 90 minute GFE/Nuru Combo and was upset that I could not honor the full-time any longer. He did not want to take a regular Nuru or GFE  visit at the reduced/regular hour donation (for the remaining time he had left) and he became nasty with me so I canceled the appointment. Things escalated and I kept the holding deposit for all the BS, disrespect,  and waste of my time.  
Had he showed up on time or even let me know he was going to be that late I would have tried to reschedule and worked with him.  

You see "tons" of elite ladies without paying a deposit. Please list a few of them, below?

Any provider who requests a deposit is not on my "target" provider list. I have been on P411 for a long time and have yet to be asked for a deposit from a P411 companion.