Is it a red flag if a provider turns down cash and insists on Zelle?

[Jamie21]

6 hours ago, marylander1940 said:

I couldn't agree with you more. Unfortunately our legal system is different this side of the pond.

Then please keep visiting us over on the permissive side of the pond! I love my clients from the States, such gentlemen and extremely sexy. 

[jeezifonly]

On 4/15/2022 at 2:01 PM, RadioRob said:

I can absolutely understand that position. However the question posed by the OP was if using Zelle was an indicator of a scam.  

Zelle in itself is not a sign of a scam, but if a client will actually have that method setup or be willing to utilize it is an entirely different question.  

The OP question also mentioned a refusal of cash payment, which was the part on my mind. 

[Rudynate]

On 4/15/2022 at 1:48 PM, Benjamin_Nicholas said:

Because it's a direct EFT, it's a black or white thing.  You can always call your bank to confirm.

If they say yes, then the money transfered.  You did your part.  End of story.

I get that cash is king, but I also wanted to give you perfectly explainable reasons why someone might want to do this.

I've paid through Venmo a couple of times.  I liked it - saw no problem with it.

[BonVivant]

There can be lots of reasons, especially if the provider is traveling. Think of the safety of NOT having to carry cash.  And If they are from overseas then PayPal is a better option. If you are worried about identities, then you also know who the provider is. 

[Luv2play]

On 4/15/2022 at 11:08 PM, marylander1940 said:

Buying and selling jewelry is legal and morally acceptable. 

Paying cash for jewelry can be a form of money laundering. 

[NJF]

Just to follow up, the original ad disappeared and replaced with new one with identical wording but a different pictures. So it is a scammer but I am still not sure about what is  his angle.

[marylander1940]

11 hours ago, NJF said:

Just to follow up, the original ad disappeared and replaced with new one with identical wording but a different pictures. So it is a scammer but I am still not sure about what is  his angle.

Did you report him to RM?

[cany10011]

I pay my 2 regulars with zelle as it is not always convenient to run to the bank. They confirm payment right away as they are changing or cleaning up after playtime. 

I've had 2 friends recently scammed on grindr though from guys looking for an online romance. It was a crypto scam. Once lost 240K and the other lost 98K. All in a short time span. So I can understand the hesitancy there. 

[+ RJD]

18 hours ago, BonVivant said:

There can be lots of reasons, especially if the provider is traveling. Think of the safety of NOT having to carry cash.  And If they are from overseas then PayPal is a better option. If you are worried about identities, then you also know who the provider is. 

Not necessarily.  I used Venmo a few times to pay one particular provider and the name associated with his Venmo handle didn't divulge his full name, just two initials.  Those were his real initials, but if I didn't already know his name, Venmo wouldn't have provided it.   

[NJF]

3 hours ago, RJD said:

Not necessarily.  I used Venmo a few times to pay one particular provider and the name associated with his Venmo handle didn't divulge his full name, just two initials.  Those were his real initials, but if I didn't already know his name, Venmo wouldn't have provided it.   

You can manage to stay anonymous on Venmo or Cash App. But I don’t think that you can do that with Zelle.

[sincitymix]

I probably wouldnt. I found out recently after trying to pay a contractor for a bathroom upgrade that zelle has transaction limits.. so i paid in cash. 

[Jarrod_Uncut]

I feel like in America, there’s so many scams and scammers…it’s hard to operate sensibly especially in this type of arena. Now, what I’m about to say is different than what this post originally referred to (getting the whole amount on Zelle), but it’s still in the spirit of what’s being discussed (e.g. cash is King)

I’m only sticking with seeing NEW or out of town clients in some cases, with not just a deposit: but an initial consultation fee/deposit BEFORE actually getting cash. Meaning, Zelle or other apps. Even though I’ve had lots of clients send without an issue, I will admit it runs some away…

At the same time, I think the mentality of the greater Client community needs to change. This is not 2001. It’s not 2005. And it’s not even 2015. We are in 2022. Everybody is doing electronic payments. Uber, PayPal, Cash App, Grub Hub. 

All the other companies get their money upfront when you order their service. Yet, if I’m only asking a small portion of the session as “legwork” of the actual session, there really shouldn’t be an issue. I think people have gotten so comfortable with escorts/masseurs just “showing up” without getting anything upfront. For example: somebody today ask me for an outcall to the Kansas City airport. I don’t need an Uber to get there, I can make it. But, it’s an HOUR away from me. I send my deposit instructions, and the person didn’t bother to reply back. Which is okay because it probably eliminated someone who isn’t serious, but it’s frustrating considering it was the only seemingly real booking request I’ve had all week.

People think they can just text a provider out the blue, and I’m supposed to stop what I’m doing, hop in my car, pay for gas, and be on my way…with nothing more than a lousy text message asking if I’m available tonight? What do I look like? What reason do I really have to believe that after I do all that commuting, the person on the other end is actually going to be there? Or that after spending 30-60 minutes “consulting” details and such, that they aren’t going to pull a “oh sorry my co-workers just came over, I have to cancel”. That’s rookie non-sense. I’m 14 years in the game. I don’t have time to be running around like a headless chicken every-time my phone goes off. 
 

There’s nothing scam about getting a nominal amount of cash on a pay service. I’ve seen people PAY CASH and STILL get scammed right in front of their face. Like literally, take the money and not do anything until they pay more money. So, that means nothing in the big scheme of things. 
 

Sometimes it’s amazing at the end of the day: The person on the other end may be willing to be a paying client, but they can be cheap and unreasonable on the initial go. I’ve already paid my money upfront: advertising, pictures, commuting, lodging etc. Some of these people want a free service: they want free free free all the way up until AFTER the service and then pay. All that is old formula to me now. The working for free, maybe get paid after on the back end: is no longer efficient.

Edited April 30, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut

[Jamie21]

3 hours ago, Jarrod_Uncut said:

All the other companies get their money upfront when you order their service.

The latest thing seems to be a subscription service. Pay $x per month to be a member or to receive discounts or faster service etc. Like Amazon Prime. 

Perhaps you could have clients subscribe to you for $50 a month? Call it JarrodDirect. If they’re a subscriber they get direct access to you via a special WhatsApp, regular emails from you including personalised action pics (am thinking suggestions for their next session), plus priority booking and discounts off products you endorse (dildo of your cock etc). If the subscriber messes around by cancelling sessions then they have to pay a higher subscription but regular clients who are reliable could pay the lowest rate and get a loyalty bonus. 

This subscription model builds loyalty in your client base and gives you a regular steady income. It also obviates the need to get deposits. 
 

[Guest MikeThomas]

Recently a new provider showed up on RM in Chicago.  Good text exchange.  He even gave me his address before we had finalized the meet.  The address was in fact a residence, albeit in an odd part of town.  We agreed on everything.  He then asked for a deposit for the meeting, which was only a few hours away.  I said no.  His ad was gone the next day and was up for all of 24 hours.

The only deposit I ever paid was for Ryan Rose and that went fine.  I have used Zelle at the end of sessions… very convenient.

[Jarrod_Uncut]

6 hours ago, Jamie21 said:

The latest thing seems to be a subscription service. Pay $x per month to be a member or to receive discounts or faster service etc. Like Amazon Prime. 

Perhaps you could have clients subscribe to you for $50 a month? Call it JarrodDirect. If they’re a subscriber they get direct access to you via a special WhatsApp, regular emails from you including personalised action pics (am thinking suggestions for their next session), plus priority booking and discounts off products you endorse (dildo of your cock etc). If the subscriber messes around by cancelling sessions then they have to pay a higher subscription but regular clients who are reliable could pay the lowest rate and get a loyalty bonus. 

This subscription model builds loyalty in your client base and gives you a regular steady income. It also obviates the need to get deposits. 
 

It’s very good you mentioned that, but I’m actually doing very similar to this right now via my own website. I don’t have “products” yet per say, but moved a lot of my content off RentMen and OF platforms. It’s actually been working pretty well, but I’m still trying to keep active in building it. And you’re right, signing up to the site eliminates the “deposit” since it technically is the deposit. 

However, I’ve had a couple people sign up and like you say; still mess around with the planning of in person session. For those instances, I’ve had to handle appropriately.

5 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

Recently a new provider showed up on RM in Chicago.  Good text exchange.  He even gave me his address before we had finalized the meet.  The address was in fact a residence, albeit in an odd part of town.  We agreed on everything.  He then asked for a deposit for the meeting, which was only a few hours away.  I said no.  His ad was gone the next day and was up for all of 24 hours.

Well the fact that it was a new provider (assuming you mean newly created ad and not someone traveling) and the person gave the address before getting the deposit, is where the error is. It’s not because of the deposit itself. 
 

If I ask for deposits, I do it before sending the address. Otherwise, that defeats the screening process. I don’t want to be giving out my hotel, apartment or air bnb address at random. If they’re not sending deposit, there’s no need to send my address.

Or like some people say: “where are you staying?” Non of your business. Send me the deposit and then we can exchange all that info. Before you book and pay an Uber, do you get to see the list of exactly what kind of car, what the person looks like, how big their dick is…before you pay? Exactly. 

That’s why I say there’s no need for me to coordinate bookings for free anymore. They’re getting enough free stuff already. For me to have to do any extra work for free (texting, dirty talk, driving, etc.), is borderline sweatshop labor. 

I’m sure there’s also some “good” stories about people actually paying deposits as well. I can say: EVERYONE who has sent me a deposit, has received their session in return. The only time they haven’t, is if they cancelled for reasons that had nothing to do with me, after sending one. And that seems to happen more often lately, hence why it’s become imperative to ask for them to begin with. 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut

[+ DrownedBoy]

5 hours ago, MikeThomas said:

Recently a new provider showed up on RM in Chicago.  Good text exchange.  He even gave me his address before we had finalized the meet.  The address was in fact a residence, albeit in an odd part of town.  We agreed on everything.  He then asked for a deposit for the meeting, which was only a few hours away.  I said no.  His ad was gone the next day and was up for all of 24 hours.

The only deposit I ever paid was for Ryan Rose and that went fine.  I have used Zelle at the end of sessions… very convenient.

I wonder if it's the same guy I encountered,  who used to post in this forum. His ad has popped up and down quickly in Chicago before, and I'm forgetting his name. African American with muscles and a bit of facial hair.

I booked with him too, then days later, a few hours before the session,  he asked for a deposit.  I immediately canceled the session.  You have to have a complete lack of brain cells and self control to fall for a scam that old.

[Guest MikeThomas]

26 minutes ago, DrownedBoy said:

I wonder if it's the same guy I encountered,  who used to post in this forum. His ad has popped up and down quickly in Chicago before, and I'm forgetting his name. African American with muscles and a bit of facial hair.

I booked with him too, then days later, a few hours before the session,  he asked for a deposit.  I immediately canceled the session.  You have to have a complete lack of brain cells and self control to fall for a scam that old.

It must have been a different guy.  His name was "giantjames"

[Jarrod_Uncut]

6 hours ago, DrownedBoy said:

I wonder if it's the same guy I encountered,  who used to post in this forum. His ad has popped up and down quickly in Chicago before, and I'm forgetting his name. African American with muscles and a bit of facial hair.

I booked with him too, then days later, a few hours before the session,  he asked for a deposit.  I immediately canceled the session.  You have to have a complete lack of brain cells and self control to fall for a scam that old.

What sure proof do you have that it’s a scam other than the ad disappearing? Escorts can also “freeze” their ads to where it disappears but still active. 
 

The likely reason I can see for that is: maybe they don’t want to be “available and visible” round the clock. They may want to post when they are available, and shut it down when they aren’t. Avoid spending too much time if there not available.

A provider could ask for a deposit close to the time because if two or more clients are trying to fit the same time, if the provider turns 1 down and the other flakes last minute (as @Jamie21 once described, then the provider likely gets neither client. So to better confirm the session, the deposit gives a better assurance than just relying someone to show up.

However as I mentioned, people haven’t had issues sending me deposits. But I have also moved from ”deposits to confirm” to “consultation fee” because it gets infuriating having a potential client, and then they cancel when I ask for deposit. So better to just get it right away for the pure cost of my time coordinating things, which is something I deserve to be paid for. 

 

Edited April 30, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut

[BuffaloKyle]

On 4/30/2022 at 4:04 PM, Jarrod_Uncut said:

But I have also moved from ”deposits to confirm” to “consultation fee” because it gets infuriating having a potential client, and then they cancel when I ask for deposit. So better to just get it right away for the pure cost of my time coordinating things, which is something I deserve to be paid for. 

Just some food for thought on that. By going to a consultation fee and not just an appt deposit you might be losing business. Not speaking for myself as I have talked to you through the forum and other avenues for quite a while now so I know you are legit. Just speaking for the non forum members coming across your ad online for the first time and seeing they need to send you money before you will set anything up. I know if I was one of those guys before I would send you a consultation fee I'd want to make sure you are available for the day and time I am looking for and that we are sexually compatible. If I sent you the consultation fee and said I was looking for the following evening and you said you were booked I'd be out the money then?

Edited May 3, 2022 by BuffaloKyle

[Jarrod_Uncut]

13 hours ago, BuffaloKyle said:

Just some food for thought on that. By going to a consultation fee and not just an appt deposit you might be losing business. Not speaking for myself as I have talked to you through the forum and other avenues for quite a while now so I know you are legit. Just speaking for the non forum members coming across your ad online for the first time and seeing they need to send you money before you will set anything up. I know if I was one of those guys before I would send you a consultation fee I'd want to make sure you are available for the day and time I am looking for and that we are sexually compatible. If I sent you the consultation fee and said I was looking for the following evening and you said you were booked I'd be out the money then?

I hear you wholeheartedly, unfortunately this is just the way I have to do things. I am tired and fatigued of people contacting me and not being serious. I’m not even talking about people with genuine interest, just randoms. I know there are still good clients like the old days, but now it’s just too much games and BS.

I can’t count how many times I get inquiries, often wanting stuff short notice and then I interrupt to accommodate, only for them to stop responding or come up with some last minute excuse:

” my son came home early

 “my coworker just walked in

”I got Covid

 “My wife just walked in

” sorry I can’t meet in 45 minutes, that’s too late

”can you meet now?

”Can you (drive somewhere an hour away on short notice)

I’ve been doing this for 12 years. At some point, the realization comes that my ad has more than enough details for clients to make a decision before they reach me. Many inquiries are commentary or fantasies that don’t hold much weight. They’re hoping to get something with minimum effort and commitment, which was fine for Grindr/Craigslist, but not when I’m paying $79.99+ to be on a site. I’m paying upfront to advertise, buy supplies, have a phone and transportation + accommodations: therefore I need people who are going to invest something off the bat, not just speculation and false hopes. 
 

As far as being available for the day and time a person is looking for: that’s what a consultation is for. To be available, I have to coordinate that with the client. The consultation/deposit for the initial setup still applies. If the time doesn’t work for the person, they just have to use that as a token towards a future visit.

When I have made exceptions and not taken deposits/consultation fee, some have still fell thru. The ones who don’t are likely to fall thru/change their minds last minute anyway. 
 

I went thru my phone yesterday and unblocked all the numbers (something like 30-50) stored on my phone. Something I try to do every 6 months to give 2nd chances. I was looking thru messages and seeing what might of prompted me to do so. Even when I was easy and “user friendly” (like someone on the forum described), they didn’t follow thru. Some I gave my address to, or arranged sessions with, and they couldn’t be bothered to show up or even give me a response.

So now, I have to play hard ball. Being high demand can be a blessing and a curse. You have to take what you can, but limit the access people have.

[Becket]

Might I suggest that the poster of this thread find another line of work?  Or is that considered a personal attack?  Seriously I don't want to offend, but Jeez man, he sounds so unhappy at all he has to deal with.  I feel for ya. But there is life after escorting.

[Jarrod_Uncut]

11 hours ago, Becket said:

Might I suggest that the poster of this thread find another line of work?  Or is that considered a personal attack?  Seriously I don't want to offend, but Jeez man, he sounds so unhappy at all he has to deal with.  I feel for ya. But there is life after escorting.

The “poster of this thread” doesn’t sound like a provider to me. But if you’re referring to me, I suggest maybe you be less condescending and judgmental about how someone chooses to do biz.

Some people think just because we put boundaries in place to create a more workable relation with clients, that somehow it equates to not being right  for the business. I have a right to run things the way I choose to, and I’m choosing to based on what the current trends have already proven. And what’s proven is: unless I want to have my time wasted day in, day out: I can’t operate the same way I did before, it takes evolving and having the courage to believe I can. 
 

And if anyone else think it’s just me, someone reached out to me earlier and informed me this: 

hi, I know a provider who so far had 3 NO shows this year, a total record, he also says the amount of teasers has increased dramatically.

So yeah, it’s where things are right now. If someone thinks I need to find another line of work: in that case everybody in it needs to find another line of work.

Edited May 4, 2022 by Jarrod_Uncut