To respond to the thread ,
I do get the "No Show" problem in Ottawa and it is indeed very irritating .. As well as time waster that ask for 10000 questions when the answers already are on your advertisement and the endless texting to ask about every details of your session when you have tons of reviews that are already describing your sessions in every little details ..
I also get the client point of view when it comes to privacy and to scams.. It is indeed a lot of scams in Ottawa so it is normal that they get nervous to send money for a first time appointment.
So,
I find that offering various options help ..
Option one : I am asking my client to provide a Terb or Rosie Board handle and I also ask him to pm me from that handle so I can verify that it is really him.
( I can read about him and see if he is a good client and if he have seen well established providers in Ottawa..)
Option Two : I am asking for him to provide a reference from a well established provider in Ottawa. She must have a website so I can confirm that the number and informations he's giving me are matching the ones on her website.
The last option will be a 50$ deposit by Interac transfer.. ( I am only asking for 50$ because time wasters will not transfer any money at all so 50$ is enough to avoid them and to feel safe.) If they cancel 24h prior to their booking I will apply it as a credit on their next session.. ( Sometime life happen)
So the client have options to avoid interact transfer and to remain low profile if he prefers keeping his real name for himself.
That is the best way I found so far to accommodate my clients..
If you have more suggestion that could fit my needs and my clients needs at the same time , feel free to share it
Kisses
Ali