I've been burned by providers who requested deposits, so no more deposits for me...I understand why you girls want deposits, and I don't blame you for asking for them in some cases..
I've heard about some guys who've been burned so if a provider required a deposit I'd probably call someone else. It would have to be someone I really, really wanted to see to even consider making a deposit. So far there hasn't been anyone I've wanted to see that badly.
Also, as I mentioned in thread below re: websites, feeling too much like a "customer" takes away from the experience.
I've been burned by providers who requested deposits, so no more deposits for me...I understand why you girls want deposits, and I don't blame you for asking for them in some cases..
I have not had any problems getting payment in full in advance for my touring and neither has Diana of Dallas.
If the girl has a good reputation, she probably won't have a problem as guys are clamoring to see her. They don't want to miss out.
If I am traveling to a city to see clients, I am putting out money for airline tickets, cab fare, hotel room and meals. If I have 3 clients booked each day and one is a no-show, that is a substantial loss and it would be better to have stayed home. By requiring payment in full in advance, I only get the serious clients who are going to show up. This way of doing business for touring really works well for me.
While I ABSOLUTELY understand why you think you might need them...I am afraid I would never do any sort of significantly sized deposit?
Why? Because as bad as the no show / cancel rate is for you ladies with clients (and I am sure it is bad...first time guys get cold feet, lots of guy are just full of crap and playing games...etc.), my experience with Independents is a cancel rate of about 50% as well (I just had one yesterday in fact).
I have never had an absolute no show / no call...but I have had cancels, providers who didn't provide (I was told that "Alabama" - Crimson Tide, get it? had arrived unexpectedly) and then didn't keep a promise to set a make up date (I didn't pay her anything save $50 for her time, and she didn't even want to take that so I think things were on the up and up). I had a provider reschedule on me, only to admit when we did get together that she cancelled on me because she got an urge to go shopping (I guess my time and schedule were completely unimportant compared to her shopping jones...). And NUMEROUS times I have had providers simply not make themselves available when *I* was available, no matter how hard we tried to get the logistics straight. This doesn't even mention all the providers who simply declined to see me after I scheduled an appointment (and presumably, would have put down a deposit) because they couldn't screen / verify me to their satisfaction (I work for myself...)
So...no deposit for me...and I wouldn't even consider a provider who required one.
BUT...I did see something interesting the other day online...a gal who required something of a "token" deposit...like $25...just to make guys think about what they were doing a tad more seriously than just typing in there contact info on a form. If you know hitting the "send" button will cost you $25, you might be inclined to be more serious about it.
Would I do that? Maybe...Maybe...but I would still be concerned about the integrity of my credit card information.
Bottom-line...I *TOTALLY* feel you on this...I understand your issue...but I can't say I stand with on it.
The risk is just too high. The hobbyist has little to no recourse if the provider cancels. Moreover, it is very easy to see providers who don't require a deposit.
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