LOL - Tons of guys avoid this experience by using common sense and doing research up front and never paying a deposit.
Paying a deposit makes one more susceptible to being scammed
Originally Posted by berryberry
I would only pay deposit if the provider has an extremely long and always, without exceptions, perfect reputation. And even then with very big reservations and back thoughts. In any other case asking for a deposit is nothing short of a swindle. I have been asked to pay a deposit a couple of time but never did so. Also I personally would not leave on deposit more than $100.