I'm not a frequent client so my sample size is small, but of the 3 new escorts I have approached over the past few months, 2 of them requested a deposit in advance before agreeing to schedule an appointment (1 hour session). I refused on both cases, and 1 relented (he said if he got an inquiry by a prospective client willing to send a deposit, my appointment would be cancelled - I was willing to take the chance and we ended up meeting) and the other we ended up not meeting because I wouldn't send a deposit and he wouldn't drop the request.
I presume this is because escorts are tired of no-shows but that's always been the case. Are there now more no-shows these days?
Ideally, it would be great if there was an anonymous escrow service where a client could deposit an amount so the escort knew the client was serious but the client couldn't claim it unless both parties agreed to release it. I guess there would be an issue if there was a dispute, and financial service wouldn't really want to get in the middle of that.
Anyway, not a fan on this trend. BTW the one who I did meet up with - I asked after the (decent) session if now that he knew I was legit and not a flake, if I would need to do a deposit in the future, he said yes he would still request one.