There’s plenty of threads on deposits, but not many providers commenting here anymore. Came across an interesting thread on deposits from a provider’s perspective.
Can we have a thread showing that sw ask deposits?
General consensus is that established providers can require deposits, but it’s difficult for a newer or more financially desperate provider to require them.
I require a deposit and screening; even if I’m not in a “good place” with financial privilege I find my peace of mind is a better asset than their money being dangled in front of me. Having a solid confirmation puts me at ease and feels like my time is being respected.
Most successful providers don’t miss the lost income from mongers who won’t do deposits. More peace of mind when their calendars are guaranteed.
Been requiring deposits for years. No matter how many times I've seen them. EVERY SINGLE TIME I violate my own deposit requirement, I get burned.
Would I get more business w/o deposits? I'd get more bookings, but whether or not they'd actually show up and pay is debatable
Not much concern for providers who have been burned providers who stole their deposits.
The majority of clients who complain of having been “scammed” in the past seem to have not done due diligence in booking the worker - they picked a clearly dodgy ad off a dodgy site, when legit professional SWs are right here making effort to show their credentials.
Or they’ve cancelled short notice/no showed and lost their non refundable deposit as per the provider’s T&Cs then falsely accused the provider of ripping them off.
Well over one hundred replies to the initial tweet, so there’s definitely plenty of interest on the topic.
"The majority of clients who complain of having been “scammed” in the past seem to have not done due diligence in booking the worker - they picked a clearly dodgy ad off a dodgy site, when legit professional SWs are right here making effort to show their credentials."
I love this quote.
First, I like how the provider puts scammed in quotes as if it wasn't really a scam and some fairy tale. An anonymous deposit over internet to a stranger is one of the oldest and biggest scams that ever existed. But here the provider treats it as if it's some trifle bullshit or a game. If the provider doesn't take actual scams of clients seriously, why should anyone take her seriously? I certainly won't. And I certainly won't care if she gets scammed if she doesn't that mongers get scammed. In fact, I will root for her to be scammed so maybe she understands that's a big deal in business.
Second, I like how the provider shifts blame to the clients for them being scammed. Not even knowing full circumstances of all people scammed the provider states that they "picked a clearly dodgy ad off a dodgy site". A lot of scams happen on legit sites too. A lot of scams run realistic ads.
Finally, it's adorable how the provider ends the quote with basically stating that we here are the real ones and you'll never be scammed here.
Why pay deposits and be exposed to high probability to be hustled, when there are no-deposit providers out there? Why should mongers seek out the "real ones" with "credentials" risking to get hustled?
Interesting perspective Rocket. But there’s always the other side of the coin. Here’s one from a well reviewed provider in the DC area.
Began with a $50 cancellation fee 10 years ago. Clients would never pay. Had to email multiple times and only half would pay reluctantly and would never rebook. I escalated to the deposit because of this. Deposit is $100/ 1 hour of time.
You often comment here on the nature of the business model. But for this provider, which model is better?
A. Losing out on $500 of income and rarely recouping a $50 cancellation fee?
or
B. Locking in $500 of income with a $100 deposit?
Was the power structure of the biz model asymmetric when she was chasing down incremental fees in vain?
Every business model has pros and cons.
By going to the deposit method she loses good clients who are against deposits.
It could be argued that the less restrictive model would gain you the most clients.
So you make $10-$100 for a cancellation, you more than likely miss out on much more revenue because of the possible lost of repeat business.
If a client does cancel under either model AND pays a fee, either via lost deposit or cancellation fee, the chances are much greater that they will not repeat, IMHO.
One of the better business models for continued revenue is the repeat customer.
Anything that gives the customer an uneasy or unpleasant experience will serverly reduce that repeat business.
There are other ways to protect your time other than the fee based model and have the client possibly repeat with you again at a later date.
Obviously, deposits are the only way for some people...to each, his own!
.02
"One of the better business models for continued revenue is the repeat customer."
Bingo!
Because if you don't care about repeat customers, the best business model is to put in zero work and get the $. Aka scam. But you only would be able to do it once before you'd have to switch your identity, phone number, etc.
Here's what cks misses - what's best revenue-wise for a provider in most cases isn't what's best for the monger. Maximizing profits and making sure all your clients are happy are usually different goals, achieved by fairly different means.
You make some good points there, but I do disagree with one of them…
There are other ways to protect your time other than the fee based model and have the client possibly repeat with you again at a later date.
Providers doing no-deposit business run a much higher risk of NCNS than a provider who requires a deposit, and I don’t see an alternative that protects them from that risk as well as a deposit does.
But I do agree with your closing…
Obviously, deposits are the only way for some people...to each, his own!
Definitely to each, their own. The deposit and no deposit markets are separate entities that don’t really interact with each other on a transactional level.
He said there are other ways; he did not say the other ways are just as effective.
You should ask tothemoon that question, not me. I wasn't the one who said that. This isn't my problem to solve.
But to say I "evaded" his point is ludicrous. I did not evade anything - I corrected your assessment of his statement. He said there are multiple ways. He didn't say they are as effective and/or profitable.
I believe I already implied that if we are to deal with this issue merely from "what makes me the most money" side, we will arrive at a point where the most profitable approach short-term is to treat clients like dirt, nickel and dime them, and even scam them (whether deposit bait and switch, lying on pics etc) .
This is all very evidently anti-consumer so I think you ought to agree with me it's useless to look at "most profitable way" as the end and means of it all. In fact the more you embrace it, the more supportive you are of mistreating mongers and thwarting their rights as consumers. Balance is vital so businesses don't become one-sided.
-- Modified on 10/8/2022 3:45:06 PM
You should ask tothemoon that question, not me. I wasn't the one who said that. This isn't my problem to solve.
I didn’t ask Moon the question, I asked you. What we got instead of an answer was paragraphs of word salad letting us know you had no good answer.
For a provider? Obviously the latter is better.
And for a monger, non-deposit business model will always be better versus anything deposit. The chance of losing money on a scam is nonzero and is, in fact, quite high because of lack of consumer protection.
There's not enough info here yet to make a conclusion about assymetric power structure, so let me ask you, did the provider also pay cancelation fee when she was forced to cancel the appointment? The answer should shed some light on the matter.
For me, so no on deposits. I have references who vouch I paid in full. If that's not enough then I'll shop elsewhere. Most high end providers are fine with that.
I never ask for a deposit. If I deal with any hobbyists who schedules an appointment and does not show, then he will be blocked for good.
Stupid
Ridiculous
If these girls would stay steady in service, reliable, no drama, always show up on time then....
I read all the time "how busy" these girls are and if that's true then if someone doesn't show up or cacel then you should be able to get back to "all the other " offers you supposedly turned down and make up "all that $$" you passed up rather than go online and bitch about these "asshole looser time waster pieces of shit" you claim them to be.
I figure if a provider needs to ask for a deposit then they must be getting no showed alot for some reason....you know these guys talk behind the scenes just like the girls do and there has got to be a reason they are getting nsnc/canceled.....
Just my opinion...
I'll bet my deposit that some of them do keep the deposit AND refill that now-free slot.
Posted By: TheQueenSophie
if someone doesn't show up or cacel then you should be able to get back to "all the other " offers you supposedly turned down
A lot of assumptions in there
I ask for a deposit EVERY time because I’m not travelling for 2 hrs and forking out $200 for a train ticket to London without one. I buy train tickets in advance - no deposit - no train ticket being purchased. It has nothing to do with the quality of client. I make clear to clients that once the ticket is purchased the deposit is non-refundable. They either book or they don’t, it’s completely up to them.
Posted By: TheQueenSophie
Re: Deposits
Stupid
Ridiculous
If these girls would stay steady in service, reliable, no drama, always show up on time then....
I read all the time "how busy" these girls are and if that's true then if someone doesn't show up or cacel then you should be able to get back to "all the other " offers you supposedly turned down and make up "all that $$" you passed up rather than go online and bitch about these "asshole looser time waster pieces of shit" you claim them to be.
I figure if a provider needs to ask for a deposit then they must be getting no showed alot for some reason....you know these guys talk behind the scenes just like the girls do and there has got to be a reason they are getting nsnc/canceled.....
Just my opinion...
I’ve been requiring deposits to book for over 12 years. The reason why is because I’m a single Mom, matriarch, dog mama & a successful entrepreneur & this is been my hobby, since I created mi familia. If I booked a date I pay to reserve childcare, dog boarding & a hotel, plus travel. Why have any out of pocket expenses?
I asked TER to put a "Deposit Required" item in the profiles. I would like to be able to search and exclude those who require a deposit. My take is that if she can't review my OK's and make a decision as to whether I am reliable and serious when requesting time together, then I don't want to play.
if she can't review my OK's and make a decision as to whether I am reliable and serious when requesting time together, then I don't want to play.
Seems that Mike could afford the deposit, but doesn’t want to bother with providers who can’t screen out the flakes. Why should Reliable Mike have to pay a deposit because Flaky Pappy was a NCNS?
Also seems that providers can be successful without deposits, but don't want to deal with clients who only see deposits as a hassle.
I won’t see anyone without one anymore - when I started tattooing and realized in so many other freelance service industries a deposit is required & expected if you even want a response, I just can’t respect someone who isn’t willing to respect me in that way 🖤✨
To each, their own.
My money; my choice. HARD PASS! When I see a new ad that requires deposit; I immediately think SCAM. Even if a well reviewed escort requires a deposit, I still pass, because I don't trust any manner of making a deposit. Seems like a paper trail back to me and requires too much effort on my part.
Do you charge deposits for returning clients?
Worried asks for details on deposit practices:
deposits for returning clients?
Most of the replies to Ellie seem to indicate that exceptions for returning clients are rare:
I also require a deposit for all my clients, new and familiar. 💚
I have always required deposits from new and existing clients. A date is not reserved, not in my calendar, and I'm not making any preparations whatsoever for a date until I have that deposit in my account.
No deposit no date. I don't move unless I have a deposit.
That said, some do make exception for reliable regulars:
Deposits in nz, outside of auckland or welly are still bawked at...
However I do require a $100 deposit if someone books in advance, or they get flagged, or it's a booking of more than 90 minutes . ( I tour & mostly do short notice bookings)
Yep! All tour bookings, all doubles bookings, and all new clients or clients I haven’t seen in over a year pay a deposit.
However, a common thread among providers who have granted exceptions is that they end up getting burned:
Every now and then I take pity on someone and don’t take a deposit and I regret it almost every time.
If you cancel on me, do I double my deposit back?
I haven’t ever heard of that happening, but I’m guessing a provider offering that double your money deal would definitely book more business!
That's my job!
Think of it as a cancellation fee for the client. Fair is fair.
I have never required a deposit. I have probably been burned a couple times a year. Not worth it to me. I have never charged a cancellation fee though i am seriously considering doing so. That is far as I would go
I’m really new to the hobby, but have been had 3 providers duck out on me at the last minute already. I have zero doubt that, aside from having my time wasted, and the disappointment, my deposits would have disappeared.
And ALL the providers were reviewed here. It always is connected with my being limited to early mornings only. After agreeing to the appointment, the providers backed out when I texted to verify the night before. ( One just left me in the parking lot waiting without any word.) Now, In these cases, having put a deposit down likely would have made no difference. These were simply a total lack of respect for an agreed upon deal. These people would not have been deterred by a deposit. They also impressed me as people who would not return my deposit, from the same lack of character. I have a lot of experience with people breaking appointments for unacceptable reasons.
I may end up making an exception eventually with a particularly trustworthy provider, but it will certainly be rare.
Jackcat argues that he would have lost deposits with these NCNSs, but the only thing we know for sure is that 3 No Deposit Required providers cancelled on him. One could argue that the providers who utilize the deposit business model are more professional, and would not have cancelled on him.
I thought about that, and it’s a remote possibility.
But, my assertion is that the same way those providers went back on their commitments to me, they would have been disposed to keep my deposit, as it is all part of the same lack of ethics.
I might add that these weren’t routine cancellations . None of these providers contacted me. They told me I you they wouldnt be meeting me when I called to confirm. One just ghosted, leaving me in the hotel parking lot.
I paid a $100 deposit with a highly reviewed provider in LA! I checked with a few mongers who post many reviews to confirm her legitimacy, and she checked out with every one. For a relatively high priced provider who may have to travel and get a hotel room, a small deposit like I paid seems reasonable. For a provider with few reviews , or for more than a small amount to cover out of pocket costs, I’m out!
