- A deposit is the most effective way to cut down on no shows.
- The awkwardness is in the asking, not in the paying.
- Have the deposit paid automatically at the time of booking, with Bancontact or iDEAL.
- Choose a fixed amount for short services and a percentage for long ones.
- State in your cancellation policy when you keep the deposit.
In this article
Why businesses hesitate
For many businesses, asking for a deposit feels as if you don't trust your client. Especially with regulars who have been coming for years. So they don't ask, and carry the risk of an empty chair themselves.
But look at it another way. A client who books an hour of your day is asking you to keep that hour free for them. A deposit isn't a sign of distrust then, but an agreement that works both ways.
A deposit isn't distrust. It's an agreement that works both ways.
Why a deposit works
People who don't turn up are rarely bad clients. They forgot, something came up, or staying away didn't feel like a big deal. A deposit changes that last part. Someone who has already paid doesn't just let it go, and lets you know sooner when they really can't make it.
Don't make it a question
The awkwardness is in the asking. If you have to ask for the deposit over the phone or in a message, it feels personal. If it is simply part of booking online, your client pays it the way they pay for a cinema ticket. Nobody finds that strange.
In Bookable you switch on a deposit per service. Your client picks a time, fills in their details and pays with Bancontact or iDEAL. The money goes straight into your own account via Mollie.
How much should you ask?
There is no fixed rule, but these rules of thumb work for most businesses.
| Type of service | Example | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Short, up to half an hour | Beard trim, checkup | None, or a small fixed amount |
| An hour | Gel polish, physiotherapy, haircut | A fixed amount, for example €10 |
| Long or expensive | New set, colour, package | A percentage, for example 25% |
| Often cancelled | A service people often don't turn up for | A fixed amount or a percentage |
Say clearly what happens
A deposit only works if your client knows in advance what happens to it. Put it in your cancellation policy, and show that policy at the time of booking. Here is an example you can use:
You can cancel or move your appointment free of charge up to 24 hours beforehand. If you cancel later or don't turn up, we keep the deposit.
The deposit is deducted from the price of the service, so your client pays nothing extra. In the help centre you will find a complete example text for a cancellation policy.
What it costs
A Bancontact payment costs €0.39 with Mollie for Belgian businesses. On a €10 deposit, that is less than 4%. An empty hour in your diary costs you far more.
- No card needed
- No commission
- Cancel monthly
Common mistakes
- A deposit that is too high for a short service, so people drop out.
- No cancellation policy, which leads to arguments afterwards.
- Chasing the deposit by hand through bank transfers, which is more work than it's worth.
- Only asking new clients for a deposit without saying so clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Are you allowed to ask your clients for a deposit?
Yes, as long as your client knows clearly in advance how much they pay and what happens to that amount. That is why you show your terms at the time of booking. If you have doubts about your terms, have them checked.
What is the difference between a deposit and an advance payment?
In everyday language, businesses use both words for the same thing: part of the price that your client pays in advance, and that is deducted from the price of the service.
How does the deposit reach my account?
Via Mollie. You connect Mollie once in Bookable, under Settings and Payments. Mollie pays your money out to your own account, once a week by default.
What happens to the deposit if my client cancels?
You decide that yourself in your cancellation policy. If your client cancels in time, you refund it or put it towards a new appointment. If they cancel too late, you keep it.
Founder of Bookable. Questions about this article or about your own business? Send a message whenever you like. A real person replies, within 24 hours.