So,
Ive been thinking of taking a small deposit from clients, as most businesses do (why should ours be any different) Ive never done it before but recently I've had an influx of younger clients who then decide to cancel last minute.
Do you take deposits? If yes why? If no why?
keen to get opinions
Mia x
I started because I was fully booked, had plenty of clients who were/are reliable. Some new clients said they were prepared to pay deposits to secure a booking (at the time I was wanting to keep to reliable regulars to give them a chance to see me before I ceased incalls). For many years prior I had had many clients, many bookings move around, be cancelled, or not confirmed even short notice bookings. I had days I would wake to to a fully booked day all cancel or not confirmed, and a lot of others who slid their bookings around. Going back through my diaries I can see 'cancelled, no confirm, moved to........, no follow through' all over each day and each week. At the time this prevented those who I knew were reliable from booking, also some regulars did take the P too.
So I brought in deposits, carried them on when I went to outcall only, and kept them when I went back to [some] incalls.
I have increased the deposit most notably in the last year because I am really limiting the amount of bookings I accept, I do not book anyone the day before, same day or the day after. I was still being let down by some, so I upped the deposit. Over the years I find the deposit increases the commitment to the booking, but does not prevent the occasional cancellation. I have sometimes transferred the deposit, only for the same to happen so I make it clear it is non-refundable and stick to that. Whenever I have relented, the person has tended to mess around or cancel again.
Also there are those who say they are going to pay the deposit, who do not despite me asking them to let me know if they change their mind or want to have time to think about it. A few others claimed to have sent the voucher twice, and bank payment several times for nothing to arrive. Amazing how when at confirm time on the day I mention the deposit has not arrived so I cannot go ahead, for them to go off the phone and like magic the voucher or transfer suddenly appears (Ok could be overnight banking hold up, so benefit of the doubt). Many however do just book, send the money and it's all easy.
I always confirm the balance to pay on receipt of the deposit, stipulating cash on arrival - result of experience of guys getting muddled either way under or over and wanting to transfer or send the voucher at start of the booking which then relies on it arriving to go ahead.
I would still rather the person turned up, when/if they don't then another person will have missed out on opportunity to have a booking with me and have to wait longer.
Some do go on to pay their entire fee by the deposit method, then reduces the amount of cash they have to carry and I don't have to make a trip to the bank.