How to ask for a deposit on online bookings
Set the deposit amount or percentage — the client pays at booking, the rest on arrival.
Payments & firm bookings
Requiring a deposit at booking is the most effective way to reduce no-shows: a client who has paid is far more motivated to show up or cancel in good time.
In the payment settings, you enable the deposit requirement and set the amount (e.g. 50 lei) or the percentage (e.g. 20% of the service price). You can set different deposits for different services or one general rule for all.
At booking, the client sees they have to pay the deposit by card to confirm the booking. Without the deposit, the booking isn’t confirmed — it’s held in a “pending” state for a few minutes at most.
The deposit is automatically deducted from the final amount you collect on arrival. The client receives a confirmation email with the breakdown: deposit paid + balance due on the appointment date.
If the client cancels within the window your policy allows, the deposit is refunded automatically. If they cancel late or don’t show up, it stays with you according to the configured policy.
De reținut
- ✓A deposit turns a booking from a “maybe” into a firm commitment
- ✓Automatic refund for on-time cancellations
- ✓Clients who paid a deposit have no-show rates 3–5× lower
Frequently asked questions
Can I set different deposits per service?+
Yes — you can configure custom deposits per service or a global rule with exceptions.
Can returning clients be exempt from a deposit?+
Some systems allow exceptions based on client history or tags (loyal client, VIP, etc.). Check the options available in your 4appointments settings.
Related guides
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