- Muy Largo
- 09-20-2023, 08:05 AM
I have not and will not cough up a deposit. There are a flood of providers asking for them these days. I'd be curious to know what percentage of deposits are scams. It's probably a disproportionate number. I can understand a provider not wanting to be stood up. It's similar to a hobbyist being stood up. But in my experience that's a rare thing. Very rare. Even without deposits, the process of arranging a session is an awkward situation. The hobbyist provides his full name and contact information and knows nothing about the lady on the other end. That's enough of a gamble, isn't it? To top off that one-sided arrangement and disclosure, a provider then asks for a deposit? I personally believe that this ruse has become popular not because hobbyists have suddenly become irresponsible and unreliable, but because the process of asking for a deposit has demonstrated it can generate money for thieves. There should be a category on this site listing scam artists using a dead-end deposit requirement.
- PaigeSavage
- 10-06-2023, 09:16 AM
Hi There! I rarely engage in on these discussions anymore because it feels like stepping into a political arena where voices are raised and opinions are forcefully pushed across instead of us legitimately listening to one another.
I cannot speak for other providers but I can speak for me. I ask for deposits primarily when on tour and for a very minimal one for Minneapolis. Recently, I was in NYC for a tour and I had two NCNS - a first for me in NYC. I had never been NCNS there. Luckily because I asked for deposits, I felt like the time I spent to screen, communicate, get ready for, snag a 5* hotel, etc., wasn't 100% wasted. So being stood up happens.
Within Minneapolis, I do not maintain a static incall - it's just not worth it anymore with the rising cost of rent. So the $100 deposit goes towards offsetting the cost of booking the room for the engagement.
So, while I'll admit there are scammers out there and people who are not doing right by clients, there are many more of us who are being honorable and doing the right thing.
I cannot speak for other providers but I can speak for me. I ask for deposits primarily when on tour and for a very minimal one for Minneapolis. Recently, I was in NYC for a tour and I had two NCNS - a first for me in NYC. I had never been NCNS there. Luckily because I asked for deposits, I felt like the time I spent to screen, communicate, get ready for, snag a 5* hotel, etc., wasn't 100% wasted. So being stood up happens.
Within Minneapolis, I do not maintain a static incall - it's just not worth it anymore with the rising cost of rent. So the $100 deposit goes towards offsetting the cost of booking the room for the engagement.
So, while I'll admit there are scammers out there and people who are not doing right by clients, there are many more of us who are being honorable and doing the right thing.