Every now and then I run this as a thread myself, and was just thinking the other day of doing it again, so I'm very glad you did it.
I spent several years as a night driving taxi driver and have unfortunately seen it all.
So, someone should always know what's in your diary for the whole day.
Have someone to call when you arrive at a clients home, so they know you have arrived, this person should know approx time for when you are finished, they should give you and extra 15 minutes to call and if you haven't, they should call you, to check you are ok. If you don't answer they should call the police and be able to tell them, the address you should be at, what car you drive and your registration number.
I would say 99.999999 % of the time, you are perfectly safe and it's not your client who is going to be that .00000 1% who causes you a problem, it's people around you, you are at your most vulnerable as you get into and out of your car, when you are getting kit to and from your car. So always have a good look around before getting out. Don't carry large amounts of cash on you, as a driver who was part of a large fleet of drivers I can tell you we all used to use the bank night safe to pay in 2 or 3 times a night and if we had a dodgy looking fare turn up at the office, we would make sure the person saw us handing our takings over to the office controller. I'd sooner offend someone then get mugged
Yes, if when you take the booking, you find you are uncomfortable, don't do the job. Saying don't be paranoid is very easy, but well, I'd sooner be paranoid then in trouble.
Some time ago a geek had a new tanning client, a man, he was very up front about wanting to be tanned in the nude, told her she wouldn't need her tent, she'd be tanning him in his garage and she took the job, she also took her boyfriend. The client turned out to be a really nice guy, who complemented her on being so sensible.
Drive with your doors locked, I do, all the time. So does my daughter.
Lastly, don't leave your stock in the boot of your car over night. Another geek did that and her car was stolen, neither her car insurance or her beauty insurance would pay for the missing stock, both stated that she was in the wrong for leaving her stock in the car.
Remember 99.9999999% of clients are normal people, just like you :hug: