All the things people discussed in the Gates thread, like the costs of accepting credit cards and "paper trail" issues, are things we've considered. Then there's the "chargeback" factor -- most people are good and decent, but there ARE those who would take what we have to offer and then withdraw their payment. Not only would that impact our treasury, which isn't huge, but it would bring down morale and create bad feelings between us and our clients.

But the real deciding factor is, if we accepted credit cards, we would have to be a business. When I became the housemother of the Fantasy Makers in 1990,I decided I wanted a family instead. The group is hosted by a business (my editing and consulting business), but it's more like a sorority, and we enjoy it that way.

As a sorority, we invite people to join us if they think fetish play is fun. That attracts a diverse bunch of "characters" of many looks, ages, genders, ethnicities and favorite flavors of ice cream. Mostly, we like and understand each other and our clients. If there's a mismatch, we invite someone to leave. Becoming a "business" might come to mean being more focused on making money than on making fantasy -- and friends. That's a little too high a price, imho, for the convenience of using a credit card.

'nuff said.

'Tis an ill wind that blows no minds.

I do like the "chargeback" aspect you brought up. I think that is a great topic to delve into deeper.

As for the suspected business tangent of The Gates being viewed as negative or bad because it takes away from fantasy - I respectfully disagree with you. I personally would never have been a professional if I did not receive reimbursement for my the investment I made into my high end gear, custom fetishwear, and the enormous expense of classes and books - not to mention the daunting commute to the East Bay for one playday after working 9-5, 5 days a week at my other place of employment.

I come from a place of balance - I made it a point to balance the respect and importance I feel for business and play equally. That is my personal choice.

I respect your track record. I love Sage and I know she started with you at Fantasy Makers. I also think you are a wonderful lady and have enjoyed brief chats here and there. . . but my opinion is a stark contrast to yours in that I do not think it wrong or bad to be business minded. With that very same breath, I do not think it wrong for you or anyone else to be fantasy minded. We are just from different ends of the spectrum - so what? Isn't that very diversity what makes the community interesting? Isn't the objective to be who you really are without shame?

I do not nor have I ever felt bad for being balanced with my focus on business and fun.

There are enough of us creating magic within the community to attract those who admire and appreciate our respective foundations without calling each other out for how one prefers to make that happen.

I think it wonderful that you post your stance of this topic so that everyone is clear what FM's position is. I also think it sad that the "business vs fantasy" angle was introduced because I don't think that was fair. It was an opinion and like yours, I too, have mine.

While I am no longer at the house, I create magic of my own and you better believe when my bills for my playspace need to be paid, they get paid. I expect to be reimbursed for my various investments into what makes "play" happen and again, I feel no shame in saying that. I am as business minded as I am dedicated to my craft. I would be crazy to take money away from my family and selfishly invest it into friends all for the sake of me and my playmates having fun, indulging in what we enjoy behind closed doors.

Balance.

Catherine
Never mistake my kindness for weakness.

While I don't go nearly as far back in prodomination as you do, I was engaging before the Internet. Calling ads in the Spectator from payphones. I don't take issue with providers taking credit cards (or accompanying fees) because it's a matter of choice. Personally, aside from the perceived privacy issues or paper trail, I just have no desire to use a credit card to session. In my mind, it further deteriorates the long lost underground feel of B&D/D&S/S&M (the way it used to be listed)and seeing a dominatrix (what she used to be called).

Just thought I'd interject with a little babble from memory lane. And a shout out to Catherine for actually providing a little flashback to that underground feeling when I saw her.

What is ludicrous is the OP's assertion that accepting credit cards makes professional domination a "business," while accepting cash means it's not a business. That is, of course, preposterous. Taking money for providing a service makes it a business. Duh. The form of payment (cash, check, credit cards, debit cards, whatever) is totally irrelevant in this context, and any assertion to the contrary is simply absurd.

My suggesstion for taking cards is paypal, you can set up an account in about 5 mins and send money to any e-mail address instantly. Wow, convenient cheap and very little cost per use. As long as you do not fill in the section for what the *service* is for they don't care. Paypal does not look highly on adult businesses using their service and did ask me to remove their icons from my business site.

Keep it private though and they dont mind. Just a head's up and a little free advice.

The Goddess Athena

415-221-8751