Hi everyone,

If anyone is around I could use a second opinion on this...

A Client just called me  for 2 hr in call at 7pm tonight. He soundedok and  didnt  say anything out of the ordinary (except that he maybe sounded slightly like he was forcing a posh accent) or  or ask any odd questions that usually flag up a time waster. On this basis I gave general directions and asked him to call me from the usual place that I say so I can give him the flat number.

I confirm the time and the length of booking and rate. At this point there is a slight pause and he asks 'umm do you take credit card'. I say 'no, afraid not, it is cash only'.

He says ok that is ok and that he will see me at 7. I say ok, But if it transpires that getting cash out is a problem if he can let me know before hand. Then I ask if he can call me at 6pm anyway to confirm he will be making it.

Now my concern is that I am assuming most experienced clients know that independents don't take credit card (I could be wrong though, maybe a lot do? I'm not  sure), so maybe he was hoping to try something dodgy or get out of paying.

And he certainly didn't sound like a naive newbie who might thing credit card was ok. If anything he sounded a bit slick on the phone.

Anyway, I could be over reacting and I could be wrong about the credit card thing. It's just that after seeing my hourly rate on the internet, I don't see why he would falter when it is mentioned. That makes me a bit anxious and sets  off alarm bells straight away.

I suspect I might have become a little cool on the phone at this point so if he is genuine I hope I haven't put him off, but I suppose if he was planning on messing around he may think twice, given that I have asked for confirmation at 6pm.

Luckily I am not alone at my in call so that makes me feel a lot safer 

I had a client hand me a credit card once. He seemed surprised that I hadn't brought a card machine (), but did go out to get cash when I told him that was how it worked. I've also had newbies who sounded experienced and vice versa, and plenty of people who haven't properly checked out the details before calling, so none of it really stands out to me. I would be concerned about him coming along ?50 short and saying he'd reached his withdrawal limit, though.

Thanks for the replies.

Yes it did cross my mind that he may be used to agency bookings.

The other thing I wanted to ask was if people get first time (to book you) clients booking longer than 1hr straight away?

I usually just get regs booking longer timeslots, or if they are going to book longer sessions the first time, they normally want to chat for at least a minute or two on  the phone  first (asking things like 'shall I bring wine' etc)?

I dont know why but there seems to be  just something about his  demeanour telling me this isn't going to happen!

Well my minimum used to be two hours and now it's 90 minutes, so I know people will book longer than hour the first time. I do still get a fair few people booking two hours first time, but then the difference there isn't so much.

You can also test notes by rubbing the coloured shape against some paper; real notes leave a mark. Other methods are useful in addition but if a note glows under UV it can mean it's been through the wash, so if it glows but looks used it may be real.

I thought it was only the ?50 that left a mark?   

Er yeah, ignore that bit.

This is quite handy (pdf). I didn't know about the micro-lettering and found that I can make it out in daylight without magnification.