willybfriendly - 6:26 pm on Nov 8, 2009 (gmt 0)

A pre-deposit for work is a good idea, but it presupposes a contract.

In my experience, even a deposit doesn't guarantee that client's will perform their end of the contract, but it improves the chance since they then have skin in the game. And if they don't meet their commitments, at least there is (some) compensation for the work performed.