Absolutely, it’s your choice not to see providers who charge deposits, just as it’s a providers choice to lose potential clients because she does.
Personally I do not charge them because Ive found they are a deterrent for many clients for the reasons you’ve illustrated, but if someone stands me up I do ask for a “second chance fee”. It’s why I totally understand why more and more ladies have started asking for deposits. We too spend time and effort getting ready for a date, and when he doesn’t show up, we lose expected income, as well as the time wasted.
It’s not disrespectful to ask for a deposit. Many civvie businesses require deposits, or a credit card to provide a financial guarantee in case the customer cancels. A deposit and/or cancellation fee is standard practice throughout the service industry. When planning a wedding for example, you can’t book a caterer, photographer, florist or venue without a deposit. If you book a hotel room and don’t cancel within the deadline, they charge your card because you had to provide it when you booked. Even doctors charge you when you don’t show up. But escorts can’t enforce a cancellation fee, so a deposit makes sense. Nothing about this practice is disrespectful, it’s just a service provider ensuring their time (which is money) is not wasted.
What IS disrespectful is ripping people off, which is what happened to you. Jerkface scammers give the rest of us a bad name. It’s so frustrating.
It really sucks that you’ve had bad experiences with every deposit you’ve offered, and I agree there are way too many scammers out there. But I still maintain that it’s not always a scam, and there are many reputable ladies who ask for and receive deposits with no intent to disrespect their clients and no issue with theft. I just wanted to speak up on their behalf.