Ok, so, a simple unsolicited email about a nice sounding studio massage got my attention and I checked out the link, saw some standard offerings, ‘Sensual’, ‘Tantric’ and ‘Therapeutic’, some nice pics and a no hanky panky disclaimer, and thinking this was a nice up-move from the usual AMP, I decided to give her a shot.  We set a Monday appt. for a 90 min slot to begin at 10.  I planned it that way because I had another, physical meeting at noon.
Here begins the fun:  at 10 I texted her with my readiness, and she replied with “I sent you an email about the donation, please see, I will also copy you here”.  No such email was ever received, but subsequent texts from her instructed me to have my donation in pre-paid cards.  I had none, and didn’t have time to go get any and make both my noon meeting and the hoped for massage.  Situation Normal, All Fouled Up as they say, so, with some disappointment, I canceled on that one.  A week later we try again, for 2pm, again 90 min slot.  At 1:53pm I announce my very nearby address location with pre-paid cards – No reply, and at 2:07 I text her again and ask if I should go home.
Her first reply text at 2:24 comes back with “Hold on Please”.  Her 2:27 next text comes to me with “I sent a text asking if we could move it to 2:20”  - No such text ever received.  Various texts from me between 2:25 and 2:40 declaring that I am waiting instructions and my phone battery is fading below 5% - 2:46 she asks how I am doing donation, I reply that I had pre-paid cards per her prior instructions.  She asks for pictures of front and back, and I comply, but is not enough, she wants them out of the package, It is now 2:54 and my phone has died. I had told her I would leave the parking lot if that happened before we made a final connection, and I did so.  This 2 try attempt was so frustrating and so complex, I have to wonder if it was even real, and the deal with the pre-paid debit cards?  What is wrong with cash?  I welcome thoughts from the gallery, but don’t think I will try that one again. (Basic member)

So many red flags and questions here. You say an unsolicited email- did you know the provider? Have you ever emailed her? or subscribed to her mailing list? If no, did you ever wonder why would you, a client, be getting random emails from a provider you don’t know?

Onto the numerous instances of miscommunication.... If someone says they emailed you, first and foremost (and this is just me and my experience having a traditional 9-5), you should be asking the person to forward the original email chain to you. Did she produce the original email thread? Screenshots? Why did you suddenly switch to text? You should be maintaining correspondence in the same manner from start to finish, unless you and the provider agree to switch to a different form of communication. (E.g, email from screening to booking, unless someone clearly says, “okay, could we communicate via text from now on?”) Also, as a client, I think it’s wiser to insist upon email communication over text because so many texts never get sent or received or looked at until you realize it’s a little late.  

I would’ve stopped there, but I guess you really wanted to see this person. If 15 mins past the appointment time comes and goes and you haven’t heard from her that she’s running late - you should be leaving, no questions asked. She said 2:20pm, told you to hold on at 2:24 and then instead of inviting you up to clear the discrepancy, you’re wasting your appointment time by texting her photos of prepaid card that has monetary value??? Bro? Were you just asking to be ripped off???? Even if you had made it up, she probably would’ve claimed that you all wouldn’t have a full 90 minutes. LOL and once she has those card numbers, she can use the cards and not even have to see you. Usually people want them out of the package so they can see all the details (including the sticker and the number to call to activate them)  

Yes, ladies ask for prepaid gift cards to be purchased and the number/details to be given to them ahead of time as a form of deposit or prepay. But sounds to me like this girl wanted to rip you off. So that’s my take on it. Best of luck out here

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It shouldn't be that difficult to see someone.

Congrats for walking away. You did the right thing. Do yourself a favor and lose the number.

I question if your texts were being handled by the same person.  It sounds like multiple people were involved on her side of the phone OR someone that flaky seems like they're on drugs. Either way, red flags all around.

I use the rule 'Cash only'. I work in the banking industry and believe me, anything with a number can be traced. Just an FYI. If they got busted, or something nefarious happened in that location with those cards laying around, and the police wanted to find you, guess what?

I understand the allure of the appointment.  I was in a similar situation months ago and made the mistake of putting myself in a precarious position. Thankfully, I walked away unharmed but with a lighter pocket. Again, "If it smells like a duck..."  Be safe brother (or sister).

When things don’t feel right trust your gut. Sounds to me like a scam. Asking for pictures of the pre paid cards. If ever I get a creepy feeling I don’t take the appointment. Something wasn’t right here with this. Just the phone, email, text game would have had me driving away.

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of the cards is not the issue. I ask for those on a regular basis when getting deposits. The issue is the unsolicited email, the back and forth, the flakiness.

You’re talking about taking the money for a deposit. Where they are sending you the money before the appointment. This sounds like he was being asked for the pictures of gift cards to take his money without having the appointment. Totally different. Nothing seems shady about your methods at all.

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement.  I had made a faulty assumption about shared mail lists, as I have had some contact in the past with another studio masseuse and thought this would be the same only better.  The experience resulted in lost (stolen, actually) time.  That is all and if that is the worst, that is ok.  Back to the AMP for me.