What is a deposit? A plain guide for salons and beauty pros
A client books, you block two hours, you turn down another request. Then nobody shows up. A deposit is the simplest way to make that less likely. But what is a deposit exactly, and how is it different from a security deposit or a cancellation fee? Here is how it works for a salon or a beauty pro who travels to clients in the Netherlands.
What is a deposit?
A deposit is part of the price that the client pays upfront to secure an appointment. It is not an extra charge. If a treatment costs €80 and you ask for a €20 deposit, the client pays the remaining €60 afterwards.
In Dutch the word is aanbetaling. You will see it on Dutch booking pages and in Dutch terms and conditions, so it is worth knowing.
That €20 does two jobs. The client has already paid something, so the booking feels real. And if they stay away without a word, you are not left with nothing, as long as your terms cover it.
Deposit, security deposit and cancellation fee
These terms get mixed up. Keep them apart, especially in your terms.
| Term (Dutch) | What it is | Does the client get it back? |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (aanbetaling) | Part of the price, paid in advance | Settled against the bill; on cancellation it depends on your terms |
| Advance payment (voorschot) | Usually means the same as a deposit | Same |
| Security deposit (borg) | A guarantee, separate from the price | Yes, if nothing goes wrong |
| Cancellation fee (annuleringskosten) | A charge for cancelling late | No, it is a cost to the client |
The security deposit is the one people confuse most. It is not payment for your work. A booking deposit is.
How much can a deposit be?
For goods, Dutch law sets a limit: a deposit on a product is at most 50% of the purchase price. For services, and a treatment is a service, there is no maximum. You agree the amount with the client (ACM ConsuWijzer, in Dutch). What does apply: whatever you keep after a no-show or late cancellation should be reasonable compared to what you actually lose.
Most beauty pros pick one of two shapes:
- A fixed amount, say €15 for every appointment. Easy to explain.
- A percentage, say 25% of the price. Fairer when your short and long treatments differ a lot.
If you travel to clients, count the trip as well. A no-show costs you the drive, not just the treatment. Work out what that adds up to per month with the no-show calculator.
What happens to the deposit on a cancellation or no-show?
You decide that in your cancellation policy. A common setup:
- The client cancels in time, for example more than 24 hours ahead: full refund.
- The client cancels late: you keep the deposit, or refund it anyway if that is your choice.
- The client does not show up: you keep the deposit.
- You cancel: the client always gets everything back.
The client has to see this before paying. A rule you mention afterwards will not hold. For a policy you can adapt, read Setting a cancellation policy as a mobile beauty pro in the Netherlands. The legal side, with the articles of law and the Geschillencommissie, is in Asking for a deposit in the Netherlands.
How to take a deposit
Three ways come up again and again.
A payment request or Tikkie in the DM. It works, but it eats your time. You send it, wait, remind, and put the appointment in your calendar while the money may not be there yet.
A bank transfer. The most effort for the client, and you have to track who paid.
Payment at booking. The client picks a time on your booking page and pays the deposit right away by iDEAL. The slot is only confirmed once the money is in. How to set up iDEAL for your business is in Connecting iDEAL to your beauty business.
pbw.life does the last one. You set the amount, the money lands in your own Mollie or Stripe account, and on a cancellation the system follows your policy: cancelled in time means refunded automatically.
How to explain it to clients
Clients rarely find a deposit odd if you present it as normal. A line that works:
“Your appointment is confirmed once the €15 deposit is in. It comes off the price. If you can’t make it, cancel at least 24 hours ahead and you get it back.”
That way the answer is there before the client asks in a DM.
Frequently asked questions
What is a deposit, in one sentence?
Part of the price the client pays in advance to secure the appointment. It comes off the final bill, so a client who shows up only pays the rest after the treatment.
Is a booking deposit the same as a security deposit?
No. A security deposit (borg in Dutch) is returned when nothing goes wrong. A booking deposit (aanbetaling) is part of the price itself and is settled against the bill.
Can I keep the deposit after a no-show?
Yes, if your terms say so and the client saw them before paying. The amount should be reasonable compared to what you actually lose. The legal detail is in Asking for a deposit in the Netherlands.
How do I take deposits without chasing payment requests?
Use a booking page that asks for the deposit at the moment of booking, for example by iDEAL. The slot is only confirmed once the money is in, so there are no Tikkies to chase.