Every one of us will give a different answer for this.

I am outcall only, only take bookings well in advance and only see a very limited number of clients. If someone fails to show or cancels at the last minute, I lose income as I do not take same day or last minute appointments. This is why I will only see those who pay a deposit. Deposits of 20% are absolutely essential and a booking is not confirmed until I receive it. I expect the deposit to be paid within 24 hours of the client being sent the details of how to pay it. All clients have to pay a deposit, regardless of how regularly they see me, although in a few instances, I sometimes ask for 10% or waiver it completely. Once I have received the deposit I send through a confirmation of the booking being sure to include the outstanding balance due in cash, or if the client is an overnight and prefers to pay by transfer, the date by which the balance must be in my bank account.

I have found that making deposits mandatory screens out most of the time-wasters and hobbyists. The latter will rarely pay deposits and it is this group I am keenest to avoid, so it all works well.

I have a website and use various other directories in addition to Adultwork. It is Adultwork that I find brings the most who try to argue their way out of paying their deposit citing their feedback as evidence they're good clients. I always stand my ground. No deposit, no booking.

If you are making outcalls, I am very much of the opinion you should ask for deposits as they are more time-consuming. However, asking for a deposit for an incall booking is tricker as most clients will not pay one unless you're on tour and the booking is arranged and confirmed in advance.

Lastly, if you aree finding younger clients to be problematic by cancelling at the last minute, maybe it would be advisable to introduce a lower age limit for the men you will see.

This is just my opinion on the topic, I have no doubt the others will have their own procedures and thoughts on this matter!

Thanks for your input big help. I know some escorts don't require deposits, But I think, like you have stated it helps to rid those that are time wasters. I feel its part of our screening process and enables us to take those steps to stay safe.

You say about AdultWork I find this website  difficult, not in use but advertisement. Ive created my own website and added the link to my listings across various websites. I'm hoping to build traffic and have a one point of contact. Ive kept my website fairly professional in the hopes with will only attract clients that are actually going to book.

Mia x

AW brings in a minuscule amount of clients, and sadly, the few problematic clients I have had have all come via AW. The majority of my clients have never heard of AW, so it is of no benefit to me to link it to my website.

Thankfully, I have had not one single time- waster via my website. My website (and all my ads for that matter) are written to attract the clients I want and deter the ones I do not want. Most escorts will say likewise about their adverts/websites.

So,
Ive been thinking of taking a small deposit from clients, as most businesses do (why should ours be any different) Ive never done it before but recently I've had an influx of younger clients who then decide to cancel last minute.

Do you take deposits? If yes why? If no why?
keen to get opinions

Mia x

I started because I was fully booked, had plenty of clients who were/are reliable. Some new clients said they were prepared to pay deposits to secure a booking (at the time I was wanting to keep to reliable regulars to give them a chance to see me before I ceased incalls). For many years prior I had had many clients, many bookings move around, be cancelled, or not confirmed even short notice bookings. I had days I would wake to to a fully booked day all cancel or not confirmed, and a lot of others who slid their bookings around. Going back through my diaries I can see 'cancelled, no confirm, moved to........, no follow through' all over each day and each week. At the time this prevented those who I knew were reliable from booking, also some regulars did take the P too.

So I brought in deposits, carried them on when I went to outcall only, and kept them when I went back to [some] incalls.

I have increased the deposit most notably in the last year because I am really limiting the amount of bookings I accept, I do not book anyone the day before, same day or the day after. I was still being let down by some, so I upped the deposit. Over the years I find the deposit increases the commitment to the booking, but does not prevent the occasional cancellation. I have sometimes transferred the deposit, only for the same to happen so I make it clear it is non-refundable and stick to that. Whenever I have relented, the person has tended to mess around or cancel again.

Also there are those who say they are going to pay the deposit, who do not despite me asking them to let me know if they change their mind or want to have time to think about it. A few others claimed to have sent the voucher twice, and bank payment several times for nothing to arrive. Amazing how when at confirm time on the day I mention the deposit has not arrived so I cannot go ahead, for them to go off the phone and like magic the voucher or transfer suddenly appears (Ok could be overnight banking hold up, so benefit of the doubt). Many however do just book, send the money and it's all easy.

I always confirm the balance to pay on receipt of the deposit, stipulating cash on arrival - result of experience of guys getting muddled either way under or over and wanting to transfer or send the voucher at start of the booking which then relies on it arriving to go ahead.

I would still rather the person turned up, when/if they don't then another person will have missed out on opportunity to have a booking with me and have to wait longer.

Some do go on to pay their entire fee by the deposit method, then reduces the amount of cash they have to carry and I don't have to make a trip to the bank.

Guccigang does your Tide account not show your real name to the client? Is it only for limited companies or sole traders too do you know?

Thanks Gucci that is good to know.

I have taken deposits for quite a few years I don't persuade  I make it very clear in my advertising and whenever I receive an enquiry that no deposit = no booking.

Sometimes I may say something such as 'I get more money when I arrive and go through with the booking'.

Also I have limited availability, cannot accept many of the bookings

It's not about persuasion and I'm aware some advice could be used by scammers so I'm removing it (not that they can't think of it themselves).

I’ve taken deposits for 4 years and I’m telling you if they want to sleep with you they will pay it. Also it stops all the nonsense and they always turn up. It’s a no brained for me. No man who has bad intentions will give over their details so I feel the deposit payers are much nicer punters.