Yes and no.
Quite a few were willing to pay deposits (that gave me the final kick to start using deposits), the important things I have found are;
Mention it upfront in adverts and whenever someone contacts you
Maintain it 'no exceptions'
Be very clear about whether you will transfer or not, I always say it is non-refundable, non-transferrable. I have on occasion transfered 50% of the time I do this the person goes on to mess around or cancel again, 50% of the time they follow through.
Also I have found I need to do this for the first 2 appointments, when I did it for the first only I got let down on the second booking so I require deposit but lower amount for second appointment, then only if there are zero cancels do I stop asking. If second is cancelled they go back to first deposit amount.
Some will argue and or many say they have been ripped off in the past, this is not my problem my way of working is deposit or no booking.
Took a while for this to sink in.