How to use booking deposits clearly
A deposit asks a client to commit before they arrive. It works when the amount is reasonable and the rules are written plainly before they pay. This is practical product guidance, not legal advice.
Choose an amount that matches the risk
Long or custom appointments, where a no show leaves hours empty, usually justify a larger deposit than short routine services. Many businesses start with a percentage of the service price so the amount scales automatically.
Say what the deposit is for
- Whether it is applied to the final price.
- How much notice is needed to move or cancel.
- Whether it is refundable, and in which cases.
- How the remaining balance is paid.
Show the balance
Clients trust deposits more when they can see the full price, the deposit and the balance due. Keep the numbers consistent between your page, your confirmation and the appointment.
Handle cancellations consistently
Apply the same rule to everyone and record what you decided. If you refund, do it from your payment provider so records stay accurate. Check the consumer rules where you operate.
Deposits in Ssesia
- Set a deposit percentage in Settings, Payments. Deposit and full payment modes are mutually exclusive.
- Deposits are paid to your own connected Stripe account. Ssesia adds a separate $3 card processing fee shown to the client; bank (ACH) payments have no Ssesia fee.
- The time slot is held during checkout and confirmed only after Stripe reports a successful payment.
- Tax is only added if you set a tax rate yourself.