With room rates so high and no guarantees in this business deposits help ensure that you are serious and intend to show up. If you are afraid of a paper trail paypal allows you to deposit cash at many stores live CVS rite aid etc by use of a barcode connected to the providers account. Also I've accepted an Amazon gift card in lieu of a deposit... there are ways around electronic payments unless you flat out just don't want to pay a deposit. In that case there are some who don't require them still.