How much deposit should you ask for?
A deposit holds the date and covers the work you turn down to keep it. Enter the booking total and the share you ask up front to see the deposit, the balance due before the event, and what standard card processing would cost you on both payments.
Updated
Enter your numbers.
- Balance before the event
- $840.00
- Card processing on both payments at standard rates
- $35.40
The math.
- Deposit = booking total × the share you ask up front. Balance = booking total − deposit.
- Card processing is counted on each payment at standard card rates (a percentage plus a fixed fee per charge).
- On bzar the customer pays a service fee on top of your price when they pay by card, and bzar covers card processing from it.
Common questions.
Should a booking deposit be non-refundable?
Many vendors make the deposit non-refundable because it holds a date they can't sell twice. Whatever you choose, put it in writing before the client pays, and check your state's rules. This isn't legal advice.
When should the balance be due?
Far enough before the event that you aren't chasing money on the day, and late enough that the client has their final details. Put the date in your contract and send a reminder ahead of it.
Deposit or retainer: what's the difference?
People use the words loosely. A deposit is usually credited toward the total; a retainer sometimes pays for your availability on its own. Say which one you mean in your contract.
Keep going.
Get booked on bzar.
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