The $3 deposit
The $3 isn't a fee — it's a commitment signal. When people put even a small amount on the line, they follow through far more often than with a free RSVP. Most platforms see ~40% show-up rates. Volmap's is 92%. That gap is the $3 doing its job.
92% show-up ratevs ~40% industry average100% returned if you attend
Yes — fully and automatically. Show up, submit a quick photo, get confirmed by the host, and your $3 returns. No forms, no waiting, no contacting support.
Processing time: Refunds typically clear within 1–2 business days depending on your payment method.
We tested multiple amounts. Too low and people ignore it. Too high and it excludes people or makes events feel transactional. $3 sits in the sweet spot — enough to make you think twice before bailing, not enough to make signing up feel like a financial risk.
Creating events
Anyone with a Volmap account. No approval process, no minimum follower count, no minimum attendees. Tap anywhere on the map — park, rooftop, cafe, library — write a short description, set a time, and hit publish. Takes under two minutes.
No — hosts don't pay a deposit. Instead, hosts receive the forfeited deposits from attendees who don't show up. This gives hosts a real incentive to run good events and a cushion when people flake.
Anything in a public place. Morning runs, board game nights, strangers' dinners, language exchanges, outdoor yoga, photography walks. The only rule: events must be at a real, publicly accessible location.
Sports & fitnessSocial hangoutsStudy sessionsFood & drinkArts & culture
No-shows & cancellations
Cancel more than 24 hours before — full refund, automatic, no questions asked. Cancel within 24 hours or ghost, and your $3 is forfeited. It goes to the community fund, not Volmap.
24h+ before: full automatic refund. Under 24h or no-show: $3 goes to community fund.
Every attendee gets a full automatic refund, regardless of when the cancellation happens. Hosts who cancel repeatedly may have their account reviewed by the Volmap team.
Verification
Two-layer verification — both must pass. First, a timestamped, geotagged photo at the venue. Second, the host marks you as attended. Disputes are reviewed by Volmap within 24 hours.
Geotagged photoHost confirmation24h dispute review
Open a dispute in the app. The Volmap team reviews your photo and geotag data. If your photo checks out, you get your refund — the host's word isn't final. We track hosts who abuse this.
Safety
Volmap is built around public, open events. You can see who's attending before committing, every account is verified, and the deposit mechanism naturally filters bad actors — people who put money down tend to show up respectfully.
Public locations onlyVerified accountsAttendance track record visibleReport & block tools
Leave immediately — your safety comes first. Report the event in the app. Reporting for safety reasons triggers an automatic refund of your $3. Our moderation team reviews all safety reports within a few hours.
Community fund
Forfeited deposits go into a community fund split between the host and verified attendees — a small reward for keeping your word. Volmap takes nothing.
Volmap takes zero cut. The platform is free. We make money separately, not from your deposits.
No. 100% of every deposit either returns to the attendee or goes to the community fund. Volmap doesn't take a percentage, doesn't charge fees, and doesn't profit from no-shows.
No results for that search. Ask us directly →