A lot of women, traveling into a foreign city, will request a deposit (I have seen anywhere from 25%-50%) to be paid prior to the meeting. Their reasoning is sound; i.e. to ensure that the gentleman will actually keep his scheduled appointment. I understand that they are paying for hotel/ other expenses and they want to make sure they have appointments scheduled and secured prior to arriving in a new city. Personally, I have never paid a deposit as I would rather have the cash in hand than part with it early. Also, what if a legitimate emergency arises and you can’t keep your appointment? I doubt the deposit is refundable. As always, comments are welcomed.

where the provider was traveling to see me.

In that case it is totally understandable and I had no problems at all.

If a provider is already announced a tour, then I don't think it should be neccessary.

I would never do it except with someone I already know well, or has many very good reviews.

Mr. Fisher,

I respectfully disagree with:
"If a provider is already announced a tour, then I don't think it should be neccessary."

My last east coast tour put me about $3k out of pocket just in reservation expenses.  It would have been devastating to arrive to a rash of no shows.  

When I tour (which is rare), I now offer an option - a deposit will secure your time, with no deposit I will pencil you in though bump you if someone wants that time and is willing to pay the deposit.  I also now do an "arrival list" for those gents who want to know if I have any remaining time once I've arrived, obviously, no deposit requested.

I agree whole heartedly:
"I would never do it except with someone I already know well, or has many very good reviews."

It would be nice if we lived in a world where we could trust everyone.  We don't.

xoxo,
Sola

I've done this a few times with no problems.  The most common circumstance where I've seen this requirement is when booking a longer multi-hour rendezvous for a date that is in the future, e.g. a 4-hour dinner date with so and so 4 weeks from now. Besides your comments as to why they are requested, also keep in mind that the lady is filling in her calandar based upon your scheduled date and will turn away other business for the same time because she committed to you.

However there are a couple of important things to keep in mind about deposits.  Make sure that there is a clear cut understanding of the rules of engagement.  Can you cancel up to a certain timeframe and be allowed a refund?, If you have to cancel then can the deposit be retained for another date? What happens if she cancels?, etc.  In essence you need to know the circumstances that will allow refunds or reschedules vs. circumstances that mean you lose the deposit.  Not all ladies or agencies who utilize deposits follow the same guidelines.  Make sure you know the rules of your particular lady or agency.            

Secondly handle deposit requests in the same manner as you do provider selection, i.e do your homework.  If she is well reviewed with a decent history of reptuable service then you should feel confident that she is a dependable and honest business woman.  

Two of my absolute best experiences ever in the hobby were associated with dates with ladies who had a deposit requirement.  Deposits should not be a source of concern as long as you know the rules and of course as long as the lady is proven to be reputable.

I've paid deposits a couple of times to touring ladies. Both were well reviewed and had good reputations so I went ahead. That first time though, I was pretty nervous about it until I got to her room. And it was made worse because I first went to the wrong hotel (there were two of the same brand on the same street LOL). I wouldn't hesitate to do it again with someone with a good reputation.

As Sola mentioned, 'it would be nice if we lived in a world where we could trust everyone.'  We don't and therefore I wouldn't place a deposit for a session unless it was with someone I had a history with and a long-standing professional reputation backed up with plenty of reviews from seasoned hobbyists.  
I can understand deposits for extended sessions and would expect it in those cases.  But for 1 or 2 hr sessions, I don't think so...

I feel that deposits are necessary if a lady is specifically going somewhere to meet one particular gentleman. I have been booked for a weekend with one particular person and I arrange my own travel and hotel and that plus 25% is always deposited prior to the date. It ensures that if for some reason it is cancelled my time would not have been wasted and it also encourages the client to show and eases alot of that no show anxiety.

If you no call no show on your doctor, do you have to pay for the appointment? In many cases yes, and even if it was an emergency, do you get a refund, no. On this issue of deposits there are various opinions and ideas.

I do know this muuch, when a gentleman furnishes a deposit no matter how big or small, the chances of being canceled on and stuck with the bill are much less likely than when you don't.

and in order to keep things discreet for you, should a lady incur expenses??? and one last thing, if you are going to see her anyways what's the big deal of giving it to her now or then?? Honestly, if you can't trust the lady with a small deposit and believe she'd risk her business and reputation for a few hundred dollars, stop hang up the phone, stop your e-mail, do not see each other. Why would you want to spend time with someone who you think would steal from you?

Personally, I do not schedule with a lady if a deposit is required - just my choice - cannot see a liason with someone who starts out with lack of trust.

Most of the time it is the guy canceling on the gal now talk about lack of trust I think you have your shoe on the wrong foot???

A deposit is fine if you have some history with the lady, and a multi-hour appointment is being discussed.  If it's the first contact with a lady, I would be more careful and try to research reviews and board information.  I would never rule out seeing someone because of a deposit requirement.

And she'd never ask me to.  Call me cheap; call me what you want, but it just wouldn't happen.

...and the silly woman fell in love with me. I'll never do that again.

most of the time it is the guy canceling on the girl and what recourse do we have? None really. Yes we can blacklist the guy or whatever. But since he has money he will find someone somewhere who will see him.

When a lady doesn't have an incall locale and has to reserve the hotel with HER credit card prior to the appointment, and gets stood up, you'd be surprised how fast that lady starts requiring deposits. Hotels cannot be canceled the same day. you have to give 24 to 72 hours notice, and sometimes cannot be canceled at all.

so for the ladies to incur expenses because of NCNS and because you guys cannot communicate most of the time is ludacris. I believe more ladies should require deposits. It reduces the amount of cancellations to almost zero, and I know I would not risk my reputation to screw anyone over for a few hundred dollars.

So to say that deposits shouldn't be necessary all the time is ludacris. There are certain scenarios where it is reasonable to request a deposit even for a two hour date.

In all the years I have been in this hobby, have only canceled twice - once same day when my car caught on fire, another, a couple of days in advance because I came down with the flu - rescheduled both times.
Have been involved in several no call, no shows - you are making an assumption without any data to back it up.  I can only speak from personal experience.

...a little car fire is enough to make you miss an appointment.  It's people like you that make girls want deposits.