Would you pay for a service eg gardener in advance?

[Thethingswedoforlove]

I have found what seems to be the perfect gardening service in my local area for a one off thorough tidy up of my garden including tree pruning. But they want payment in advance. I have no real life recommendations for this company I just found them online. So to hand over a few hundred quid without ever having met them just seems ridiculous. Am I out of step with how things are now? They might not even exist or ever turn up and all their reviews might be fake? I know I can find another company and I will but I have been looking for ages and they really fit the bill and I really want to use them!

No way.

No.

No. There's no reason. They will (should) already have all the tools they need so they can't even say they need to buy anything.

I'd carry on looking if I were you @Thethingswedoforlove .

no. You don’t pay a penny until all the work is complete.

No. Even if they were supplying materials eg fencing you should pay on completion.
Maybe they've been stung by other customers (I'm being charitable).

Ok thank you. This is really helpful.

It’s frustrating trying to find someone reliable, good luck.

It really is. Especially for one off work

No, because there are a lot of similar scams related to gardeners and upfront payment where they disappear after payment is made and don’t do the work. For a one off especially, payment on completion surely. Would be different if it was an ongoing weekly job and you wanted to retain your regular spot.

No, definitely not. Pay on the day once job is done.
If not likely a rogue.

Try the Nextdoor app for local recommendations.

No chance.

No, and i say that as a self employed gardener.