With online sarging specifically dating sites, how early to manage expectations (and cut to chase) and say that you are not looking for a deep relationship but only good/fun company and friends with benefits.

Do you wait till you meet the first time to see if the attraction is still there, or before as to not waste each others time ?

Thanks!

If you tell them before they're hooked it's not gonna happen. Personally, I only lay it all out there when we're in the process of taking our clothes off for a full close. "I have to tell you something before we continue... I can't offer anything concrete right now. I like you, but I'm not available to date someone monogamously at this point in my life. I may never be ready. If this doesn't work for you, I understand."

Something like that.

haha tricky. you can never say it straight out until after the fact. Easiest way is to have "reasonable" explanation why you dont want to get into a relationship.
-you believe in "friends" first & dont get into relationships lightly.
-your last relationship was a disaster you're taking your time to figure out whats best (the other party turned out to be so wrong - everyone can identify with this)
-they live too far away and you only date within an arbitrary distance.

even better is if one or more of things is actually true. nothing beats true conviction. the only thing to watch out for is if you spend too much time with to them before you've established its only fun and they've accepted it. they're liable to get feelings despite what you've already said.