DDD, I cant comment on other GCs but Amazon is truly the best way forward (if you are registered with Amazon.co.uk) and want other options outside of cash. They can either send you a virtual gift card (directly to your email add), or instruct them to send it to themselves, then copy/paste the claim code to you. When you have the claim code, log into your Amazon account, then go Your Account > Apply A Gift Card To Your Account. Once a GC has been redeemed there is no way they can get it back and he cant access any of your personal info ie name.

On the odd occasion (very very rarely happens though), it can take hours to get the gift card so thats why the latter is a good option too. If he sends it to his own email address and there is any delay in getting the GC, the delay is on his end not yours, then he can chase it up with Amazon.

Yes there can be delays, sometimes he's put the wrong send date on it, and yes it's up to him to chase.

They can also be bought from supermarkets, codes sent from the back.

Whilst on the topic last year I had one man tell me he'd sent a deposit to my bank 3 times, and same number of attempts by Amazon voucher over a series of days. Combined with how he was on the phone, and in communication in general I am fairly sure this was sheer time wasting.

One thing I have found with Amazon email vouchers is that they have to be sent from an established Amazon account, i.e. one that's already been used to purchase physical goods. They can't just set up a brand new account and then send a voucher with it. (I guess this is to do with money laundering regulations.)

Some have with me, their voucher was delayed they said it was due to card fraud checks either card provider (think some had to chase their bank)  or Amazon themselves. It did arrive eventually.

Thanks, seems good for deposits as for payments does it not takes a while to check.

I actually got a first ever deposits for a booking on Friday, was shocked when it come through!

Yeah you can't trust clients who want to try now and pay later. No sorry it doesn't work like that I'm not a coupon. Mostly there is a high risk with these. After the once it happened with a fake check never again.

If you say to them pay now for a booking next year first before I accept your off. Either way the booking is paid for regardless lol. This will make them squirm and it will be amusing to hear them over the phone. I must try this method soon.

Cheques are high risk, so far I've not had anything go wrong with payment into my bank (some pay over the counter, others transfer) or Amazon codes apart from those who want to claim they've sent it when they haven't.

One issue one client had was a transfer from a non-UK account into mine, over a weekend + bank holiday to boot, if he'd told me this beforehand I'd have advised him to use Amazon instead. He accepted that I couldn't/wouldn't count it unless it arrived before the booking, and sent me Amazon plus cash in full at the start. So did paid the full fee, his bank transfer arrived the day after the booking. I've offered to refund to a UK bank account (foreign transfers can incur fees), or send him Amazon vouchers. He's asked me to hold it against a possible future booking - which is what I have done.

Yes it can get complicated, which is why I'm firm and make everything crystal clear before/when I accept the deposit and before I provide bank details. Some potential clients switch off, lose patience which is fair enough. Others just send the money through no problem.

A few use it to pay their booking fee in full beforehand, which I am certainly not going to complain about. So long as it's in my account I'm more than happy.

If you get them to send you the claim code and you upload it to your account its instant. As Mirror stated, sometimes they put the wrong date on it or they get your email address incorrect. If they send the gift card to themselves then just copy and paste the claim code to you and they are in control should there be any delays/issues.

If there has been a delay, I ask them to show me proof that they have brought an Amazon gift card, then I suggest they speak to Amazon to find out whats going on, but this type of delay rarely happens. I personally prefer this method to any other method (bank transfers etc) because its instant and theres no chargeback once its been uploaded to your account.

Hope that helps

Just as a beware;

Some have sent me screenshots of transfers, or purchase of Amazon vouchers, I will not accept these as proof of payment. I must have the funds in my account.

There have been reports on here of clients showing it sent from their end, service provider provides service, then back home finds the money or voucher payment never lands.

As far as I'm concerned they need to chase it at their end.

I have a banking app on my phone, and can also add Amazon vouchers to my account fairly quickly using my phone or laptop.

Yes it can be a hassle, however taking deposits has reduced the cancellations I used to receive, it reduces the amount of cash I have to deal with (less security risk). If the client pays in full I don't have the hassle of paying into the bank afterwards, it's all there already. I've used Amazon to buy all sorts of things, including things for work, as well as personal life stuff all of which was needed. Can understand if it doesn't work for everyone, same principles do apply whatever method used - always make sure it's with you before providing a service and that it can't be reversed.

Also if you have to cancel you must return it, OR stand it against another booking without fail.,

Just a quick question gals and guys...

I'm thinking of using a PayPal account for taking deposits for outcalls. Is this effective? Is it possible for a punter to cancel the transfer after it shows up in my account?

Many thanks

Just a quick question gals and guys...

I'm thinking of using a PayPal account for taking deposits for outcalls. Is this effective? Is it possible for a punter to cancel the transfer after it shows up in my account?

Many thanks

It's against Paypal rules, and it can be reversed by the person who sent the money up to 45 days after the transaction.

If cash is sent via 'friends and family' payments im sure it cant be reversed, iv had no probs any how

Thanks wishlist, I have looked this up and you are correct.

What happens if the sender does a card chargeback, or tells his bank the payment has been taken in error?

I suppose the main danger is that a punter contacts PP trying to get his money back, and PP then close the account.