a perennial topic since Hooboy days......
when meeting with somebody new, I'll always say in PRE-MEET communication that I'll pay at the end of the meeting, do not want to talk $$ during the meet, and ask for their ok on that.....if they request, I'll do the ol' envelope-on-the-dresser routine for them to see upon arrival.......some have asked to just "see" the donation on arrival and I'll quickly try to accommodate that request and then put the envelope "out of reach"........despite all this, when a few have still asked for payment up front upon arrival, I'll simply say I'm an honest guy and will pay at the end as agreed to.......none have ever walked out.......
I certainly understand honest providers who are leery around a new client and want to avoid a racket......tough to balance this forum's "never-pay-upfront" admonitions with the occasional crooked client
communicate!!!