Jan-ice: I've never used this CL b4. She was recommended to me thru Lan Jie. According to Lan Jie, she has recommended many jobs to her, so i guess u can sweet talk to her and ask her to do a gd job since yr friend knows Lan Jie well and will recommend her to other friends and feedback to Lan Jie if she does a gd job (bull shit a bit). On the deposit part, i think it's common to place deposit for CL. Some mummies here have also booked theirs and placed deposit, if i'm not wrong. But i din place any $ for mine coz we know the auntie and she said based on trust and past experience with us, no need. So it depends. See if u can negotiate on the deposit amt if u feel uncomfortable. That's the disadvantage of not going thru agency...
Few things to take note though:
(1) U've to emphasize to the CL that once u've booked her, u expect her to be the one doing yr confinement and not someone else. Coz i heard some CL will liaise with u and end up sending someone else as they take up a few assignments and sub out to other CL and earn commission.
(2) Make sure she stays through and complete the 28 days confinement period and not ask for early release coz some are greedy and will take up many assignments that are close to one another to earn more $.
(3) Confirm with her if there's any other 'hidden amt' (work permit, etc) other than the S$2k and 1+1 ang bao.