Exactly even if the place is within walking distance you still need to get ready and make sure you have everything then actually walk there, by calling your saving yourself the chance of a wasted journey.
My guess is that the person has not had such problems or they would change the way they work.
When I first started working I used to leave the money by the side of the bed, I was told not too and the person was right. It ended in tears with a regular pushing me on the bed and taking a refund before running away with the money. The worst part of it, apart from the initial shock, was that I lost a regular.
I have read on forums of other girls that still operate that way and others that will not take the money up front. My guess is, as above, that they also have not had a problem with the way they work and, as I did, as soon as they do they will re-think their approach.
Sarah x x x