Do you walk or punt?

[Bru1901]

So I had a weird potential booking a while ago.

What happened was this:

Tried to book same day but no available slots.
However we had a whatsapp exchange that basically said that the person [who was on tour]
Had some punters who were annoying her or some shit.
Basically wanted a nominal bank transfer £1 to even try to book and see if she had any slots as she had been getting abuse or something from a potential or serial booker.

Sent this £1 via bank. She confirmed and eased up.

Then tried to book and in the end arranged for next day. Paid another deposit £40

Next day happens. An hour or so before I sent message to confirm [expected a message far earlier but nothing]
Responses were all like 15mins apart and we kept missing each other, getting train, showering etc

Wanted to confirm hotel as she didnt disclose night before

Got hotel name

I kept updated of my progress but it was one word or two word replies and when calling to say on my way was the same. Had a 15 min walk to her hotel and during this time after thinking with bead and not the D it didnt add up or feel right.

Something felt wrong.... i walked and blocked on whatsapp

Then like 10 minutes later i get a message from another number on whatsapp that its her and why did i block and not turn up.

She said she had been edging for me and really wanted to see me etc...

Told her vibes were off and didnt feel it from her end

Said dont worry lets still do it. Shes feeling better from yesterday and that all is well. Wanted to meet later etc

Told her I dont feel any booking would be well after whats happened and just didnt feel right.

The punt in question was a higher end punt £300+ ph with extras [cim/dt/owo+swallow].
Girl is British and was touring.

I expect better and professional communication from someone charging top end fees but something just didnt feel right.

Was I right to walk?

In the end i made a loss of £41 but could have been another £300 for a shit punt.

Figured i would take a £41 with no regrets than walk away feeling shit with many red flags.

Was i right or wrong?

[alabama1]

You walked too soon mate. You should've met her in person. If you didn't like her, then that would've been the time to of walked.

[Bru1901]

You walked too soon mate. You should've met her in person. If you didn't like her, then that would've been the time to of walked.

I had that in my head. However when i called i got a one word answer, i didnt want to cause a scene in a hotel, language used wasnt grammatically correct so could have been drunk or not sober, whatsapp language was short replies

Figured walking was the safest and easiest way to walk and consider it a nominal loss over a much larger and shitry punt

[Chazz]

Only you know how you felt. Sometimes you have to trust your gut. Of course you'll never know if you made the "right" decision or not. Unfortunately, asking on here isn't going to answer that for you. The fact that you'd paid a deposit but still walked away suggests that you really didn't feel good about this one.

[koshkaj]

IMO, always trust your gut.

If you felt something was off and you walked, then it was the right thing to do. Does not matter what anyone else thinks about it. like you said, i would view it from a perspective of money saved from a shitty punt as opposed to loss of deposit.

[Charliehutton]

Bru, you've been a member on here for more than five years. You're not a rookie.

Is paying a £40 deposit the norm, north of Hadrian's wall?

[Thephoenix]

You just have to do what feels right at the time chum.
That's what you did.
No need to fret.
Regrets are pointless.
Put it down to experience.
Forget about it and move on. 

[Pauld344]

Imagine the replies if a WG blocked a punter on WhatsApp 15 minutes before a booking and failed to show up?

It sounds like you wasted her time. At the very least tell her that you had a change of mind.

[runner in the woods]

Yes definitely go with gut feeling. I've ignored gut a few times and it's always turn out your gut was right.

[Paul9144]

Bru, you've been a member on here for more than five years. You're not a rookie.

Is paying a £40 deposit the norm, north of Hadrian's wall?

I'm inclined to agree. However, we're all human beings and make mistakes from time to time.

I've been punting for 13 years, I've made various mistakes at the start (even now still sometimes).

Shit happens, we live and learn.

Best tip is don't pay deposits, there's loads of posts on here where it's gone wrong.

The above quote immediately came to my mind with this (https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=455103.msg4458356#msg4458356) it's wise and sound advice.

[PilotMan]

It doesn't sound like a "potential" booking to me, paying a deposit is an actual booking.

My gut tells me that you would get further request for an additional £ to get the room number.

A negative review is going to help other members on here.

[midspunter]

If you are wondering whether you should walk, you should always walk, IME. Once the doubt is there, it's difficult to regain feeling comfortable.

[Bru1901]

Bru, you've been a member on here for more than five years. You're not a rookie.

Is paying a £40 deposit the norm, north of Hadrian's wall?

Ive paid a deposit almost 10-15 times.

Never an issue these days

The issue wasnt the deposit. It was everything else about the comms until that part

[Bru1901]

It doesn't sound like a "potential" booking to me, paying a deposit is an actual booking.

My gut tells me that you would get further request for an additional £ to get the room number.

A negative review is going to help other members on here.

I cant really give much info other than the comms. It doesnt warrant a review. She has no fb here

[PilotMan]

I cant really give much info other than the comms. It doesnt warrant a review. She has no fb here

Well at least tell us who it is FFS.

[MaxVerstappen]

I would have at least gone and had a look at her.

Also when it comes to gut feeling. It isn’t always right. I’ve had many times in my life when my gut feeling is telling me not to do something but I end up doing it regardless and guess what?! It was all good in the end, even better than I expected. Sometimes you got to take risks.


“He who dares wins”

[Munter84]

Reading the OP account, I like to think I would have actually aborted a lot sooner than OP did. Shitty comms, a breadcrumb trail of incremental deposits, the old sob story of difficult clients (what the fuck has that got to do with OP? Imagine pressuring a WG to do things a certain way because "the last girl I saw messed me around"...)

Don't do deposits. If you haven't been given, on request, the full postcode or hotel name before you set off, assume she's not serious about wanting your business.

Anyway, this WG now has £41 for doing no work whatsoever apart from sending a few texts, she has no reason to feel hard done by.

[Massage Bloke]

"She said she had been edging for me and really wanted to see me etc..."

   LOL... Pure con-artist talk.

Most genuine SPs would tell a punter that he was a time wasting bastard, or would have accepted that he was a no show and turn their attention to the next booking. They wouldn't try to entice him with silly talk.

[alabama1]

I would have at least gone and had a look at her.

Also when it comes to gut feeling. It isn’t always right. I’ve had many times in my life when my gut feeling is telling me not to do something but I end up doing it regardless and guess what?! It was all good in the end, even better than I expected. Sometimes you got to take risks.


“He who dares wins”

Exactly this !

[Massage Bloke]

Exactly this !

Discretion is the better part of valour:

The famous proverb means it is often wiser to be careful and avoid unnecessary danger than to engage in rash or reckless bravery. It serves as a reminder to pick your battles and prioritise safety over proving your toughness.

[Stevelondon]

I’m never sure these kind of “Did I do the right thing or not” posts add up to much

Only you know how you feel/felt.

I’m not even sure I’d have paid a quid deposit.
Sounds a tad strange 

[Massage Bloke]

I’m never sure these kind of “Did I do the right thing or not” posts add up to much

Only you know how you feel/felt.

I’m not even sure I’d have paid a quid deposit.
Sounds a tad strange 

The SP then has his name and bank details.  At the very least it makes the SP's further requests for transfers easier for a punter to expedite, as he already  has the SP's payee details set-up. Start with a pound, then £40 (deposit), then more money for extra  services, then a deposit for a future booking etc...

If the SP was  demanding cash payments, a mug punter wouldn't be motivated to keep visiting an ATM. But if he is in her room, it's going to be easier to be persuaded to do a transfer, and, after all the SP is already set-up as a payee.

"I've been edging for you, baby"... LOL

[Arripotter1971]

Gut feeling has gone both ways for me, I have ignored it and had an amazing punt, and also ignored it and wasted £230 on an absolute shit show.
For me personally any mention of a deposit is a red flag, enough for me to look for an alternative.
Seen a couple of SW's lately who are obviously on drugs and have been a little erratic during the punt. perhaps that was why her comms were so poor ?

[Bru1901]

Reading the OP account, I like to think I would have actually aborted a lot sooner than OP did. Shitty comms, a breadcrumb trail of incremental deposits, the old sob story of difficult clients (what the fuck has that got to do with OP? Imagine pressuring a WG to do things a certain way because "the last girl I saw messed me around"...)

Don't do deposits. If you haven't been given, on request, the full postcode or hotel name before you set off, assume she's not serious about wanting your business.

Anyway, this WG now has £41 for doing no work whatsoever apart from sending a few texts, she has no reason to feel hard done by.

Comms were fine after the initial £1 and even the deposit of £40 is mentioned in aw advert

Its the next day where it was shit
No are you still coming text? Nothing to say which hotel etc

Once i messaged it was delays by 10-15mins per message

Then a brief voice call to say i would be late by 5 mins due to delayed comms by her

It was during the 15 min walk that i thought this is gonna be a shit punt and walked back

[Bru1901]

The SP then has his name and bank details.  At the very least it makes the SP's further requests for transfers easier for a punter to expedite, as he already  has the SP's payee details set-up. Start with a pound, then £40 (deposit), then more money for extra  services, then a deposit for a future booking etc...

If the SP was  demanding cash payments, a mug punter wouldn't be motivated to keep visiting an ATM. But if he is in her room, it's going to be easier to be persuaded to do a transfer, and, after all the SP is already set-up as a payee.

"I've been edging for you, baby"... LOL

Not fussed by bank details. Its a burner bank acc

The thing is any in person confrontation never ends well.

Then it turns to 'you didnt pay' and were wanting a free ride etc

Pointless

Fine i lost £40 which is f all in this game but atleast i didnt lose more.

Maybe i expect better standards by those that offer services above the basic £150ph

Atleast you should in my opinion.

[Bru1901]

Gut feeling has gone both ways for me, I have ignored it and had an amazing punt, and also ignored it and wasted £230 on an absolute shit show.
For me personally any mention of a deposit is a red flag, enough for me to look for an alternative.
Seen a couple of SW's lately who are obviously on drugs and have been a little erratic during the punt. perhaps that was why her comms were so poor ?

Tbh, most shouldnt put the effects of a previous punter on someone new

If thats the case they shouldnt be workingbfor the remainder until they are back on top form

[Doc Holliday]

Not fussed by bank details. Its a burner bank acc

How can you create a burner bank account? 

[PilotMan]

How can you create a burner bank account? 

I had the same thought 

[PilotMan]

I’m never sure these kind of “Did I do the right thing or not” posts add up to much
.
Sounds a tad strange 

Yeah, it's a lot of pointless waffle.

[hairdownthere]

Comms were fine after the initial £1 and even the deposit of £40 is mentioned in aw advert

Its the next day where it was shit
No are you still coming text? Nothing to say which hotel etc

Once i messaged it was delays by 10-15mins per message

Then a brief voice call to say i would be late by 5 mins due to delayed comms by her

It was during the 15 min walk that i thought this is gonna be a shit punt and walked back

Tell us who it is to avoid others losing money, that's the whole point of this site.

If you don't, I call this attention seeking bullshit

[PilotMan]

Tell us who it is to avoid others losing money, that's the whole point of this site.

If you don't, I call this attention seeking bullshit

I concur.

I already asked him to say who it is, he answered the other posts and ignored my question.

[Charliehutton]

Ive paid a deposit almost 10-15 times.

Never an issue these days

Really? I'm surprised by that. I've never been asked, perhaps it's more widespread than I thought.

[MaxVerstappen]

Really? I'm surprised by that. I've never been asked, perhaps it's more widespread than I thought.

That’s because Thai WG’s don’t ask deposits 

It’s more common with British SP’s.

I was asked to pay deposit(50%) a few weeks ago, and guess what, she was English. Ended up being an amazing punt.

As long as you do your homework, paying deposits isn’t a problem.

[Arripotter1971]

I have a "Work" bank account that wife has no knowledge what goes in or out of it, I presume this is what he means by burner bank account.
All my punting withdrawls have gone through that, but even if I drew it out of our joint account she would not notice, she has no interest in any financial matters - but a hunch tells me £1000 a month on punting would light a fire under her arse.....

[alabama1]

That’s because Thai WG’s don’t ask deposits 

It’s more common with British SP’s.

I was asked to pay deposit(50%) a few weeks ago, and guess what, she was English. Ended up being an amazing punt.

As long as you do your homework, paying deposits isn’t a problem.

Homework or not. In my book its the principal. I wouldn't ever do it, even if i knew it was a 100% safe bet. But that's just me 

[Jonestown]

I have a "Work" bank account that wife has no knowledge what goes in or out of it, I presume this is what he means by burner bank account.
All my punting withdrawls have gone through that, but even if I drew it out of our joint account she would not notice, she has no interest in any financial matters - but a hunch tells me £1000 a month on punting would light a fire under her arse.....

Do you declare this “work” account on your annual tax return ?

Never a good idea to underestimate what either your wife or HMRC know or suspect about your affairs.

[Doc Holliday]

I have a "Work" bank account that wife has no knowledge what goes in or out of it, I presume this is what he means by burner bank account.

Well he has posted again in another thread yesterday, but not answered the question posed here, so  it seems we will not know what he meant. He said he wasn't concerned that an SP had his bank details because it was a burner account.

A 'burner' account implies one that cannot be traced nor has the real name of the account holder (as with a burner phone). This is why he had often paid deposits without fear.

There are endless threads about people asking how to pay an SP by bank transfer without revealing their name. To my knowledge
 current strict banking regulations mean you cannot and nobody has found a way of doing so?

If he has found a way of doing this then it would be of great interest to many others?

[Arripotter1971]

Do you declare this “work” account on your annual tax return ?

Never a good idea to underestimate what either your wife or HMRC know or suspect about your affairs.

Nope it's an old business account from 20yrs ago, so less than £10k goes through it every year. I have a couple of these which are very convenient.

[Bru1901]

How can you create a burner bank account? 

Person left the UK but account still works. Ive been using it for years. Its effectively a burner account

[Bru1901]

Well he has posted again in another thread yesterday, but not answered the question posed here, so  it seems we will not know what he meant. He said he wasn't concerned that an SP had his bank details because it was a burner account.

A 'burner' account implies one that cannot be traced nor has the real name of the account holder (as with a burner phone). This is why he had often paid deposits without fear.

There are endless threads about people asking how to pay an SP by bank transfer without revealing their name. To my knowledge
 current strict banking regulations mean you cannot and nobody has found a way of doing so?

If he has found a way of doing this then it would be of great interest to many others?

Ive always used burner accounts in this hobby and seeking. Never actual

Ive had several digital burner accounts and they are payg accounts effecively. Person left the UK and ive eother bought or used account with permission.

I travel frequently so getting it reverified isnt an issue

Thats why even if im outed name wouldnt match. Insurance of some sort.

Also you can create a sole trader account and name it anything.

[Doc Holliday]

Ive always used burner accounts in this hobby and seeking. Never actual

Ive had several digital burner accounts and they are payg accounts effecively. Person left the UK and ive eother bought or used account with permission.

I travel frequently so getting it reverified isnt an issue

Thats why even if im outed name wouldnt match. Insurance of some sort.

Also you can create a sole trader account and name it anything.

Thanks for reply.

Using someone else's account is illegal unless you have both their permission and also the bank is aware of this and has approved it. Is that what you are saying? Anyway that option is unlikely to be feasible for most people.

The sole trader bank account may be an option for some, as yes you can use a name of a business and not your personal name.

However the potential hassle of creating a bank account for a fake business in particular potential HMRC involvement, is likely to far outweigh any risk of hassle from an SP.

I still would not categorise any of these accounts 'burners' as they are all traceable, albeit perhaps not by an SP 

[MaxVerstappen]

Homework or not. In my book its the principal. I wouldn't ever do it, even if i knew it was a 100% safe bet. But that's just me 

Sure, do whatever makes you happy pal!