How long do you keep deposits for?

[sarah_clancy]

Hey geeks..

How long do you keep deposits for.... Ive got a client who has given me £50 for hair extensions, way back into last year and she had to cancel her appointment due to lack of funds, could not afford the rest.
Do I just hang onto it?
Silly question really, but I hate money just sitting around
xox

 

[jacquelineanna]

I would expect a deposit to be non-refundable to protect you financially against exactly this kind of situation.

 

[smooth]

That would depend upon whether you bought products specifically for that client and couldn't use it on someone else. If you didn't or you have used it on another client then unless it is in your terms and conditions I'd refund.

If you refund then I'm sure she'd be thankful for your honesty.

 

[Simba44]

Hey geeks..

How long do you keep deposits for.... Ive got a client who has given me £50 for hair extensions, way back into last year and she had to cancel her appointment due to lack of funds, could not afford the rest.
Do I just hang onto it?
Silly question really, but I hate money just sitting around
xox

The whole point of people giving me a deposit is if they cancel the service they don't get the deposit back. Just asking though what was your reason for taking the deposit? Your running a business and after all eh! Don't feel guilty though

 

[Buttercup Honey]

Could you offer her another service if she's not going for extensions?

 

[sarah_clancy]

The whole point of people giving me a deposit is if they cancel the service they don't get the deposit back. Just asking though what was your reason for taking the deposit? Your running a business and after all eh! Don't feel guilty though

I take a deposit before ordering the hair and securing the appointment...
She hasnt asked for it back, just said she had to cancel that app.
Maybe in a few months she will want them? but its just a bit of a pain the money sitting there!
I didn't know if there were time limits on these things

 

[VIVA.GLAM]

Maybe from now on make a point that all deposits are non-refundable? You don't get left out of pocket if you have to cancel a hair extension appointment that couldn't get filled. We don't personally do this but I hear a lot of salons taken a certain % of a foil service as a deposit in case of a no show (which happens and is very frustrating).

 

[Simba44]

I take a deposit before ordering the hair and securing the appointment...
She hasnt asked for it back, just said she had to cancel that app.
Maybe in a few months she will want them? but its just a bit of a pain the money sitting there!
I didn't know if there were time limits on these things

Exactly you took the money to secure the appointment, that appointment was cancelled and in her place you could of fitted another client in earning alot more money. I know business is hard but don't let your heart rule your head in this current climate. She let you down and this is the fact my lovely.

 

[footwoman]

Hi sarah,
I would agree with simba44.

At the clinic we now take a £50.00 deposit for nail surgery which is non-refundable and this is stated on the receipt they are given. This is because we have to book out 3 appointment slots to do the procedure.

Since we introduced this policy our "no shows" for this modality have dropped to nil.

It's alway a shame when clients have problems, but we are in business after all.

regards

Footwoman

 

[karenrose]

What would you of done if you ordered the hair then she cancelled? You couldnt then refund her as you have used the deposit for the hair.
Thats why we take deposits on these things where you have to order in just for them.
Do you do a consultation form when they first come in? I get them to sign the bottom after I have written everything down that they are looking for with extensions and also has on it the deposit is non refundable.

I know things can happen and people cant make their appointment so maybe in future you can tell them if they need to cancel for another time thats fine but only once. Otherwise they could keep making appointments then changing it all the time.