When I do video chats, I always take the session fee ahead of time. If they are inappropriate at all, I end the call and keep my session fee. The end
@Sheena123 - It makes no sense since non-platonic websites are scattered all over the internet like confetti. I can probably type in random characters in the URL search bar in my web browser and end up at one. Why choose one of the very few platonic-only websites?
There are numerous threads in the forums about video chats, deposits, and scammers. I don’t want to rehash all that.
I will simply summarize by saying that many clients are averse to paying deposits in general but even most of “deposit hesitant” understand the request for a deposit under certain circumstances such as 1) if significant travel by the pro is involved 2) if the pro is booking a hotel 3) if that client has cancelled on that pro before
I really doubt any client (especially one planning to do something creepy) would be so desperate for a video chat that they would be willing to deposit more than the total cost of a booked session as an insurance policy that they will behave themselves.
However, everyone is free to set their own policies on such matters. I would just be surprised if any clients accepted such a policy.
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Since for most sessions in general the common safety practice is to take payment at the start of the session, that works for virtual as well. If a client pays at the start of a session and then starts to behave inappropriately, the pro can end the session immediately. By breaking the site rules the client forfeits what they have paid and any right to a refund.
When I do virtual sessions I nearly always take the payment at the time of booking for new clients or at the very least at the end of the cancellation window (24 hrs in advance). This ensures I can process the payment and make sure there are no issues with it before the session begins, and also means none of the session time is wasted in trying to settle any payment issues. Theoretically for a well-established virtual client I might make exceptions to this, but I have not had any virtual clients go for extended periods of time - it seems like most are one-and-dones just testing the waters, or perhaps just needing a change of pace.
@Noumenal most likely you didn't see the posts because they were in the Professional Cuddling forum and not General. And this one is likely to be moved there as well.
this felt like a topic for the professional cuddler section
@Shake49 ~ Too bad the author's opinion doesn't matter about that.
@Noumenal you just showed your true colors with your snarky reaction to the mods keeping things organized. Lack of respect is a huge red flag.
@AllAboutSoul ~ I asked them to keep it in general because I don't read the pro forum. I guess it's your opinion that I shouldn't have an opinion. I think your lack of empathy for others and your attack against them for having an opinion is a red flag on your part. But of course you probably feel entitled, and that your thoughts and opinions should be ranked higher than others. Or else you wouldn't have behaved in such a disrespectful manner.
Looks like this thread needs to be closed up.
@Shake49
@Noumenal the Professional Cuddling forum isn't just for professionals - there's a separate private one for that. This one is viewable to all and is the place for any topics related to professional cuddling .... which your original post explicitly discussed. You do not get to dictate how the forums are organized and getting snarky with mods and members for simply responding is really not a good look. It would probably be a good idea to go do a reread of the site TOS, Code of Conduct, and the stickied topics at the top of each of the forums before you post again.
Why does it matter what forum it is in? That is an odd complaint and starting fights doesn't leave a good first impression on this site.
@cuddlefaery ~ So, as I pointed out before, you and other members believe I am the only person that should be held to the "snarky" rule? I see you didn't reply to others be snarky towards me. I simply asked the mod if my opinion mattered and I was attacked by somebody who was not the mod I asked. Furthermore, you feel that you are obligated by you absolute right to make judgments on me. Attacks towards me should be met with the same alacrity from the mods as they presented when they moved my post. But I'm sure nothing will come of it, because of some special platinum card certain members hold by being friends with the mods.
The only forum that is never read is Cuddle Requests which I believe is just there to filter out the noise.
@Mike403 ~ I guess you live in the same fantasy world. I didn't start anything with anyone. I simply defended my position after being attacked. You should probably ask yourself why you are so invested in this thread?
I won't be back to this thread. Any moderators can reach out to me personally if they have any comments.
@Noumenal - There's a difference between criticism and being attacked. On a site like this where you're trying to find people to cuddle with, a good first impression matters.
@Mike403 ~ Try to know what you're talking about before debating facts.
@Noumenal or perhaps you should ask yourself why you're feeling so attacked by calm, collected responses to your original post and comments? The only person I've seen being snarky and disrespectful in this thread is you thus far, so no, I don't have a reply to others doing so because it has not happened.
No one is attacking you - you made a post that per forum policy belonged in another section, so it was moved. You did not like being held to the same standard as everyone else, then behaved rather petulantly from what I can see though it's hard to tell since you deleted whatever it was that people were responding to. That leads me to believe that you are attempting to manipulate viewers into believing your side without all the info since you felt the need to delete what ought to have supported your case. Overall what I see is a grown man behaving childishly and then lashing out at more active and established forum members. As @Mike403 said, it's not a good impression to make for a newer user and you're just digging your hole deeper.
And lol @Mike403 I read the requests, but then I'm an insomniac who gets nosey like that 😅 it's definitely an under utilized tool
Being able to take criticism, especially constructive criticism, well is also an underutilized tool... This is why we need the arts in schools, folks 😂🙄
@cuddlefaery ~ I didn't feel attacked by comments responding to my original post. Trying to change the facts to fit your agenda do not make them facts. I started getting attacked after I removed my post. I asked my post not to be moved because I do not read the Pro forums. Since I am not going to be reading my own post, I chose to remove it. That's when my integrity was attacked. As if I don't have autonomy to change my own post or comments. Which not only shows your lack of empathy for what I want, but your obvious privilege to attack me if I don't fit into what you want me to be. I don't care how active other members are, I will defend my position. And any attempts for you to try and gaslight me are just futile. I wish you luck in your journey. I just hope you no longer bother me in mine.
@Noumenal - You are not the owner of this site. If you have an issue with the way things are run here, take it up with @Mark .
@cuddlefaery ~ Gaslighting and passive aggressive behavior are also things that psychologists help people with. Try some self-reflection. And the fact that you thinking I'm digging my hole deeper is absolutely ludicrous. You doubling down on you right to judge others and try to tell them what to do, is in fact hilarious. You must have received participation trophies as a child. The fact that you admit to being nosey should, in fact, tell you something about yourself that you should be working on personally. Most people who judge others are so embarrassed at their own problems that they have to try bring other people down to their level. Won't work with me, I am confident in myself and my abilities.
@Mike403 ~ Another great comment by you. I notice you didn't try to tell others they don't own the site? Maybe instead of commenting, criticizing, and complaining to me, they should go directly to @mark , lol.
There should be a separate forum for inspiring stand up comedians and move threads like this into it.
@Noumenal
Too bad the author's opinion doesn't matter about that.
Well of course not! Why on earth would it?
special platinum card certain members hold by being friends with the mods
Might be a thing on some other forums. Not here.
I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but @cuddlefaery and @Mike403 are both trying to help you. They are both well-known and widely respected members of the forum.