Booking Deposit

A booking deposit is collected at the time of booking — before the client arrives. It can be a fixed amount (for example, $30 to secure a colour appointment) or a percentage of the total service value. The remaining balance is paid at checkout after the service.

Deposits serve two purposes. First, they financially commit the client to the appointment: a client who has paid $50 upfront is far less likely to forget or casually cancel than one who has paid nothing. Second, they protect the business if the client does not show up — the forfeited deposit compensates the stylist for the lost time.

For high-value or long-duration services — balayage, extensions, full-day treatments — deposits are particularly important. A three-hour colour appointment that goes unfilled due to a no-show can represent $200 to $400 in lost revenue. A deposit does not fully replace that revenue, but it creates a meaningful deterrent.

In Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, taking booking deposits is standard practice at premium salons. Most clients expect it for services above a certain value. The key is to communicate the policy clearly at the time of booking and ensure the forfeiture terms are displayed before the client confirms.

On OpenChair, deposit rules are configured per service. You choose whether to require a deposit for each service, what amount or percentage to collect, and what happens if the client cancels inside your notice window. Deposits are collected securely via Stripe at the moment the client books.