Take a deposit at booking
A deposit puts real money behind a reservation, which is the single most effective no-show filter there is. When your booking policy asks for one, the booking page collects it before the appointment is confirmed.
What the client sees
- They pick a service and time as usual.
- The booking summary shows a Due now (deposit) line with the amount: either a fixed dollar figure or a percentage of the service total, depending on your policy.
- They enter a card for the deposit and book. The rest of the price is due at the visit.
What you see
- The appointment arrives on your calendar like any other booking.
- The deposit is recorded as a paid payment on the appointment: the Payment card shows a Paid tag with the deposit amount and method.
- The remaining balance is settled at the desk today (terminal or cash); charging the remainder through the appointment arrives with the live payments release. Apply a deposit to the balance walks through it.
Example. Golden Coast's policy takes a 20 percent deposit on medical services. A client booking a $350 Botox visit sees "Due now (deposit): $70," pays it at booking, and settles the $280 remainder at the desk on the day.
Common questions
- Where do I turn deposits on? Deposit settings aren't in the Settings screens yet, and deposits are off by default. If your account has a deposit policy configured, the booking page enforces it automatically.
- Is the card actually charged today? Card payments run on a stub processor until Stripe is switched on (checkout says the same thing at the desk). The deposit workflow, math, and records are all real; live card movement arrives with go-live.
- If they cancel, do they lose the deposit? Not automatically today. The deposit stays recorded on the appointment; refund it or keep it per your policy.
- How do I collect the rest at the visit? At the desk, outside the app for now: the appointment lists the total and the deposit, and the difference is the remainder.
Good to know
- Deposits pair naturally with your cancellation window: money up front plus a clear change-cutoff is what actually changes client behavior.
- A deposit line only appears when the policy asks for one; most services can stay deposit-free while your no-show-prone ones carry it.