Guide
How to take deposits for appointments.
A deposit protects your time without putting good clients off. Here is how much to charge, what your policy should say and how to take it online when the client books.
Free plan, no card required. Paid plans from £12 a month.
Why take a deposit
A deposit turns a provisional booking into a commitment. It reduces no-shows, makes late cancellations less likely, and means that when a slot is lost you are not losing all of it.
Taking it online at the moment of booking matters: it is easier for the client than a bank transfer, and you never have to ask for money awkwardly afterwards.
How much to charge
There is no single right figure, but these rules of thumb work for most small businesses:
- Short, low-cost appointments: take the full price up front
- Longer or higher-value appointments: 20 to 50 percent of the price
- Appointments that need preparation, materials or a long block of time: towards the top of that range
- Free consultations: no deposit, so nothing stands in the way of a first conversation
What your policy should say
Write your deposit policy in plain language and make the client agree to it before the booking is confirmed. Cover:
- Whether the deposit counts towards the final price
- How much notice is needed to cancel and get the deposit back
- What happens if the client cancels late or does not turn up
- What happens if you need to cancel (normally a full refund)
Keep it fair
A deposit should reflect the real loss of a missed appointment. Keeping a reasonable deposit for a no-show is common practice, but charging far more than the appointment was worth is not. If you are unsure about the rules that apply to your business, check with a trade body or adviser.
How to set up deposit payments in OpenSlot
On Solo (£12 a month) and Team (£29 a month):
- Connect your own Stripe account on the Payments page. Money goes to your Stripe account, not to OpenSlot.
- Edit a service and choose Deposit or Full payment, then set the amount.
- Add your deposit and cancellation policy to your booking terms. Clients agree to them before confirming.
- Set the cancellation notice period. Clients can cancel through their booking link until then.
What it costs
OpenSlot takes no commission on deposits or payments. Stripe charges its standard card processing fee on each payment, which you can see in your Stripe account. Your OpenSlot plan price is separate and flat.
How much deposit should I take for an appointment?
Many small businesses take 20 to 50 percent of the price, or the full price for short, low-cost appointments. Free consultations usually need no deposit.
Can I take appointment deposits online?
Yes. With OpenSlot on Solo or Team, clients pay the deposit by card when they book, through your own connected Stripe account.
Does OpenSlot take a cut of deposits?
No. OpenSlot takes no commission. Stripe charges its standard card fees on each payment.
Should a deposit be refundable?
Normally yes if the client cancels within your notice period, and always if you cancel. Many businesses keep the deposit for late cancellations and no-shows, provided this was clear before booking.
Your time, open for business
Take your first deposit this week.
Create an account, add a service and share your link. Most businesses are ready in about ten minutes.