Deposits and cancelation fees

I gave a deposit once and am still trying to make arrangements with the provider 7 months later.


Not really about the money ..... just makes me sad.

Trust is something that's earned by demonstrating reliability in doing what one says they are going to do. If something comes up that prevents a scheduled meeting, it's common courtesy to notify the other person. I've never paid a deposit in this hobby, but I can see it making sense in unusual circumstances, like asking a provider to travel to your location.

The digital trail is also a concern.. only cash for me.

I suppose I can see the deposit part from the other point of view as well. Gents get burned just like the ladies do. I was really having a bad day when I wrote this. We can work things out somehow so don't write me off Just yet guys

Thats just smart business!
We shouldn't have to take risks of losing money to be available!
This has saved me so much money.
If I have 3 prebookings with deposits,
my trip is covered and that leaves me stress free and ready to spread some joy

Thats just smart business!
We shouldn't have to take risks of losing money to be available!
This has saved me so much money.
If I have 3 prebookings with deposits,
my trip is covered and that leaves me stress free and ready to spread some joy Originally Posted by Hot Summer

There are pros and cons in this business. The deposits help alot with peace of mind and pre bookings. I'm currently working on my upcoming Shreveport tour and it helps alot with the stress

Stress can ruin a trip for me !
I can't be my bubbly sexy self if I'm all stressed out .
MY EXPERIENCE with Little Rock is there's far to many no shows and cancelation.
I definitely don't travel without deposits anymore.
I can sit at home stress free and make money all the same !
So why would I stress myself out?
I understand these guys get ripped off ,
But that has nothing to do with me and my business

Stress can ruin a trip for me !
I can't be my bubbly sexy self if I'm all stressed out .
MY EXPERIENCE with Little Rock is there's far to many no shows and cancelation.
I definitely don't travel without deposits anymore.
I can sit at home stress free and make money all the same !
So why would I stress myself out?
I understand these guys get ripped off ,
But that has nothing to do with me and my business Originally Posted by Hot Summer

Touche Summer. We all know Little Rock is hit and miss these days. I had a full day planned to the T only to get ncns or hey I gotta reschedule. Ruined my entire day, cost me money and my time. It was just a stressful mess that day

Touche Summer. We all know Little Rock is hit and miss these days. I had a full day planned to the T only to get ncns or hey I gotta reschedule. Ruined my entire day, cost me money and my time. It was just a stressful mess that day Originally Posted by Trinity Kane

That's exactly what happens and I don't offer a stressful mess session
So they gotta act right even if it's hard for them!! lol

But that has nothing to do with me and my business Originally Posted by Hot Summer

Directly, no, you are correct.

However, established regulars aside, every time someone gets burned, they're more inclined to never pay a deposit and move on thereby indirectly impacting your business.

Now that I'm a few drinks in, there is a possible solution to both client/provider problem (rather risk reduction).

Someone needs to build an escrow app whereby both parties have to have a F2F to complete the transaction incentivizing each party to make sure they hold up their end of the bargain. Secure communications (al la Signal app messaging kind of thing) within the app will be evidence that one ghosted the other or whatever excuse came up. I'd have to think about the "digital trail" others brought up but no solution off the top of my head.

For now, to each their own and live with the choices one makes.

Best of luck to all regardless of what side you're on.

-A

Directly, no, you are correct.

However, established regulars aside, every time someone gets burned, they're more inclined to never pay a deposit and move on thereby indirectly impacting your business.

Now that I'm a few drinks in, there is a possible solution to both client/provider problem (rather risk reduction).

Someone needs to build an escrow app whereby both parties have to have a F2F to complete the transaction incentivizing each party to make sure they hold up their end of the bargain. Secure communications (al la Signal app messaging kind of thing) within the app will be evidence that one ghosted the other or whatever excuse came up. I'd have to think about the "digital trail" others brought up but no solution off the top of my head.

For now, to each their own and live with the choices one makes.

Best of luck to all regardless of what side you're on.

-A Originally Posted by aloysius.x

I do feel badly for those clients, but it Still doesn't effect me and my bottom line no matter how you stack it .
Those guys burnt-out on being scammed aren't my target clientele of choice.
However I do try and help new clients with learning the ropes so hopefully they won't get scammed like so many other's .
Now a deposit app isn't a bad idea at all.
They make the deposit so we can see it's there, But it doesn't actually go into your/My account until the date begins.

I do feel badly for those clients, but it Still doesn't effect me and my bottom line no matter how you stack it. Originally Posted by Hot Summer

I think you all run yourselves as a "small business" but your statement hits home. What I was trying to convey though is more along the lines of unrealized gain/loss. Those are investment terms but that's the only way I can describe what I'm talking about.

I'd be curious to see those that require an upfront fee, what the potential could have been vs. actual. Meaning, how many clients skip out b/c of the deposit. I see ads with them and automatically go to another one. That is a loss on sellers part that would have otherwise added to their bottom line.

Ah, hell...I'm getting WAY to deep than anyone needs to, this was just an interesting topic that gets me thinking.....Anyway, I'm done, said my peace.

I'm happy you're getting what you need from the clientele you're targeting.

I'm the oddball these days, I suppose. I don't like the notion of deposits-- I don't like anything that creates an actual verifiable paper trail of money in and out.



If it works for you-- that is fantabulous... but I'm going to stay over here in my "cash is king" corner. I've been in this for a long time.. and can count on one hand the unsuccessful trips I've had in my time. Though-- I do get that some prefer the security of deposits.


Just another example of how we all do things differently-- and that doesn't make any of us right or wrong.

Just my $0.02 as soon as I see deposit required it's nope & keep looking.