Nah, don’t do it. HOWEVER, if it’s low, like 10%, she has a lot of karma, and you really like her profile, one can make an exception.
Never pay for a product or service unseen in advance, especially if there is no recourse if you lose the money.
Personally, I only do sessions with a deposit not only because of no-shows or time wasters, but because it is actually an added level of safety. Money trails are very, very helpful if anything goes wrong.
I'm very upfront about how booking with me goes and after getting a deposit, I let them know that the time with me is locked in, put down in ink on my calendar.
Before I required a deposit, everything was soooo chaotic. People would just send bookings and clash etc. etc. Now everything is calm and organized.
There’s definitely nothing wrong with charging a deposit. It helps hold people accountable for your time and gives both parties an opportunity to be flexible if needed. For me, if someone has multiple cuddles and good feedback, I feel like I can trust them. But if it’s last-minute or they don’t have a picture, I usually ask for a deposit to avoid being flaked on. I’ve had people refuse to pay a deposit, and I declined their service because it didn’t feel right.
I also get random messages from people showing fake interest, and when I bring up the deposit, they tend to back off, which is a good filter for weeding out those who aren’t serious. Deposits make me feel secure in the bestie I’m cuddling
I do offer a refund with a proper heads up . I’m not here to take anyone’s money .
Successful businesses do their research. Check. You’re sounding the market now. Just be aware of the audience. Keep in mind you’re sampling a very small subset of the site. Most people don’t post, they lurk or ignore the forums altogether.
Second, be adaptable. Try what you think makes sense, if you’re not getting the results you want, do something else. Everything you’ll hear here is an opinion, which is always inferior to actual results.
Third, I’m only guessing here, so limited value, you are walking away from the majority of your market. I’d guess most people won’t pay a deposit, for varying reasons. Scams, privacy, and yes, reserving the ability to cancel if they want to, with no real consequences.
Good luck, hope you find a system that works for your goals.
if it’s low, like 10%, she has a lot of karma, and you really like her profile, one can make an exception.
@Midnight01 I agree and did that recently for the reasons stated above. I don’t regret it.
Deposits no problem. I'd make a judgement call. If a pro is established and the charge is a say 10 percent (still depends on hourly rate) or small amount then it's fine. At the end I would look at it as, 'what is an acceptable loss in a worst case'.
@pmvines She's new and may not know there's a search button, since it's at the bottom of one page only and not easily found. On other forum communities, necromancing isn't done.
I agree that an individual can run their service business in any manner they prefer. The 'market' will end up telling them IF their business model is structured correctly. Obviously any Pro can modify their model yearly, monthly or daily.
Personally, this is at its most basic a Service business with cuddling being The Service. I do not pay a deposit to my hair stylist, bartender, food server, or masseuse before the service but if a Pro wants that caveat as part of their setup more power to them.
I pay in cash and no I do not use cash app. so the deposit before even a paltry 10% of whatever rate the Pro charges would be a no booking flag for me. Funny part is I do believe I have ever just given the posted hourly rate at the end of a session. I always leave more.
@pmvines if you want I can start some necromancy, you know, to help balance things out 😉
Pros have reasons to ask for deposits. Screening for Serious people-not time wasters-
Clients have reasons to refuse to pay deposits. -Scammers-Session Cancellations
It appears to work itself out.
This has taken a sudden supernatural tone with the necromancy. I think I need to dust off my harry potter wand and book of spells
@CuddleFantastic You know what men like even more than not having to pay a deposit? When you ask for one, but then drop the requirement especially for them. 🤭
No offense but too many obstacles get in the way with deposits like emergency family issues. They have. To leave and no show. Probably best like they want clients to have cash at meet.
It's so hard because some of us work as a pro cuddler, trained and certified with a reputable company. Having a brick and mortar business with rent, insurance, business license, etc is costly and the number of people who book and then back out or just ghost is alarming and time wasting, so I understand the reason for deposits. HOWEVER, some pros on this site are only pros because they said they are, nothing else. There is no telling if they are an actual business pro who has integrity. I don't know what the answer is, I hope for a future when a cuddle business is treated like a real business and not just a whim to commit to and then just ghost.
Moderator here.
A pro will probably require a deposit because they’ve been burned too many times by people flaking on them last minute. That being said, you need to do your due diligence when screening a pro as well. See if they have karma, and even though karma doesn’t really mean much, it does give you an indication of how many people they have cuddled and you can reach out to them and ask how the experience was. Just don’t message these clients in a creepy way. If a pro doesn’t seem to be putting much effort into screening you, that could be a red flag as they may have no interest actually meeting up and may just want to scam you so be careful. This is more the case when they are asking for a deposit of course. The site does not have much protection for pros from clients that are dangerous, nor does it have much protection for clients against pros that are scammers. We only find these people when they are reported.
Edit: if you are worried that a pro is going to lie about their interaction with you, also be sure to keep the conversation onsite. If a pro gives you their contact info unprompted and without a booking, stop communicating with them. I highly highly suggest not taking the conversation offsite, especially for your first meet.
If deposits are to become more of a thing then I think it would be prudent that the site be able to take payments and provide an escrow service that has some privacy built in. As of now everybody is just on their own to come up with some solution which is not good.
I don’t really want to send a random no name person with little feedback a payment with no recourse to get a refund plus many payment types aren’t totally private. Pros don’t want to give out their real name or address yet they expect clients to send an electronic payment which usually requires your legal name and address and generates a bank statement. Doesn’t make a lot of sense.
The expectation of privacy and guarantees that a party will hold up their side of the agreement is a two way street. Some pros seem to act like they should benefit from this arrangement with little to no concern about how the other half of the transaction feels.
@Hoosierdan76 I agree with the payment option being on site. It would make me feel better from my point of view as well.
I felt silly saying a deposit could be a coffee card. It's something I can turn in right away, I would make use of so has value to me.
But wouldn't give me the person's info at all.
I used to think the idea of asking for a deposit was crazy! Until I had too many sessions cancelled last minute, people just not turning up, or coming, having a longer session than planned. ( Me being nice) , and then disappearing without paying!. I now have a deposit in place and payment needs to be paid at the beggining of the session. As a side note, of the people who decided not to pay, I will explain myself first, then block them. Best of luck!
@hoosierdan76 How much would an escrow situation like you are describing cost the site to establish and maintain? Would there be any issue due to the fact that pros are not employees of the site, or would that be irrelevant? Also, if someone asks for their deposit back (for whatever reason), how does the site verify their claim?
Everything done correctly comes with a cost somewhere. I do understand why CC doesn't want pros to be employees. There are tax implications yadda. But I would assume that because your potentially putting two people in an intimate position behind closed doors at times, the risk the company would face around security is huge not to mention if someone is abusing the site for s*x work, the company would be seen negatively as well as implied legal issues?
I do understand the reasons why it is not such a thing. I just wish there was a way everyone could feel secure more easily. Money is tight everywhere. No one wants to feel they may be scammed or ripped off of the hard earned money they have. No one wants to feel they have given over personal information that could be used negatively in future.
Shrugs. Both sides have valid issues
It depends of the circumstances. But I prefer not to make a deposit.
This question thread 🧵 has been brought up numerous times. It should be merged into a mega thread because there are many responses on it, and you can read more there
Basically do what you are comfortable with to ensure the Pro can build trustworthiness with you as a potential client.
How do you vet your Pro? Pics, age, hosting capabilities, price, area, karmas, ect.
Anytime I book a service such as a haircut, pedicure, massage, consultation, personal trainer, life coach ect. They all charge a deposit in this era of flakiness as they are not providing a space/service for free and staying in business.
While the transactional aspect of a professional might greatly affect the potential client and deter them from using a business that establishes and practices reservation rules, you can always choose another Pro or enthusiast.
All of them are going to try to ensure cuddlers/clientele are indeed seeking the service provided by showing up timely, provide respectful service and to ensure a successful cuddle appointment.
For Pros this small transactional reservation is a small token of trustworthiness in building a cuddle foundation with you as a Client.
Cancellations and reschedules are listed on how the deposit incorporates into this; if not, ask.
My hair appointment costs more than my hourly rate and I gladly pay that because the service is phenomenal! And no I am not rich 🤑 but I budget for it. It a service and a luxury. I’ve been going to my same service provider for over 20 years and I pay a deposit for her time because she’s worth it. She’s proved herself. She has great reviews. And I’ve even given her many reviews over the years as well. Promoting her. She’s fixed mistakes when I’ve had to go to a different hairstylist at a special rate because great repeat clientele is your best proof of service. Although when I first went to her, she didn’t have any reviews, but I gave her the chance and I’m glad I did.
Sometimes the small deposit of $25/$50 is so worth the super small possible financial risk or loss for a healthy benefit beyond measure that you’ve been contemplating and trying to reach through enthusiast/pro but cannot due to XYZ.
SO it is worth the super small financial POSSIBLE risk/loss for a healthy benefit in a service providing industry for you ?
Again do what you are comfortable with as it’s your experience or lack of over a request for reservation. You could be missing that opportunity over the cost of two Starbucks coffees or one bag of groceries.
While it’s always fabulous to thread on and get a small survey response; just message that provider and ask. I work with many 1st time & repeat clients on their cuddle forecasts.
What we need is a Cuddle Comfort store where you make a deposit, take out and cuddle the pro, return the pro to the store, and get your deposit back. Worked for soda pop for years.
@CuddleFantastic Hope my viewpoint on it helps your perspective on requiring reservations.
I unfortunately discovered that there is less accountability for enthusiasts regarding booking and paying the cancelation fee rules set forth by CC.
I’ve lost money on hotel rooms, gas, tolls, spa items, time and having session with those whom are here to cuddle and not scam you or play games. Several times the account deletes & create many new accounts, if not multiples just to book and never show. It’s a huge issue on here.
Reservations, always.
Requiring deposits has weeded out those whom are not here with clear nor respectful intention when booking a Pro. Ime
For all the guys saying they won't pay a deposit, do you have that in your profile? Because I don't see it, and it's good info. (And before someone else (stupidly) erroneously labels me a "pro," I'm an enthusiast.)
@CuddleFantastic I think CC sees itself as purely a place to facilitate meetings, but not one that is responsible for what happens at those meetings (or before, or after). While it is not a dating site, it works the same way - Match and eHarmony take no responsibility for what happens between two people who meet on their sites. And in both those cases, you are paying for membership, which you aren't doing here.
I think to do some of the things suggested (which are not bad suggestions) would entail a good deal of expense on the part of the site and would possibly lead to the site having to charge for membership (which would kill the site, most likely. (I once worked on a free magazine that was beloved - when we tried to charge a nominal fee for it, subscriptions dropped by 70%.)
@starrynitecuds Good point. If someone is adamantly “anti-deposit” they could put that in their profile but because pros are not supposed to initiate contact, it might be more useful if “deposit required” were added as a field for pros to check in their profile. Then it could be used as a search filter for clients who do not want to pay deposits.
I fully support a pro’s right to require a deposit but I personally would not pay a deposit.