01Gain
Fewer empty chairs
A deposit is the most reliable way salons reduce no-shows on long services.
Feature 02 · The money held
Booking deposits that end the no-show
A three-hour colour appointment that doesn't show is a lost afternoon of a stylist's pay. GetSalonPOS lets you ask for a deposit on the services you choose, holds it against the client, applies it at checkout and records every refund.
14days free, no card
0%commission on bookings or deposits
0months of contract
08Deposits & no-show fees
What does “salon booking deposit” mean?
- Salon booking deposit
- A booking deposit is part of the service price paid in advance to hold the appointment. It is credited against the final bill when the client arrives, and kept (or partly kept) under your cancellation policy if the client doesn't show.
Worked example
How a deposit moves through one booking (illustrative, currency-neutral)
| Moment | Client balance | What is recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Books balayage, 220, 25% deposit | +55 advance | Advance payment, card through your processor |
| Reschedules 3 days ahead | +55 advance | Deposit moves with the booking; nothing refunded |
| Arrives, adds toner 25 | 245 bill − 55 | Deposit applied; balance 190 taken at checkout |
| (If no-show instead) | 55 kept | Recorded as no-show fee income, by user and time |
The amounts are an example. Your deposit amounts, currency and policy are your own.
On the salon floor
Deposits & no-show fees: how it works, step by step
Five steps, in the order the desk meets them.
Choose which services need a deposit
Set an amount or a percentage per service: for example 25% on colour, a fixed amount on extensions, 50% on bridal trials.
The client pays when booking
Online, the deposit is part of booking. At the desk or over WhatsApp, record it as an advance payment by card, cash, bank transfer, JazzCash or Easypaisa through your own payment methods.
The deposit sits on the client
It shows on the booking and on the client's account as advance balance, so anyone at the desk can see it.
Checkout applies it
At checkout the deposit is deducted from the bill automatically. The receipt shows the deposit, the balance and how it was paid.
No-show or late cancel
Keep it as a no-show fee under your policy, move it to a new booking, or refund it. Each action is logged with the user who did it.
“A deposit is not a penalty. It is a promise from both sides that the chair will be used.”From the GetSalonPOS desk
Why salons switch on deposits & no-show fees
02Gain
No awkward conversations
The policy is shown at booking. The desk points to it rather than arguing.
03Gain
Clean books
Deposits are client credit until they are used, kept or refunded, so your sales report is not inflated.
Out with
What deposits & no-show fees replaces
- Deposits taken by bank transfer and tracked in a notebook
- A separate payments link with no tie to the booking
- Guessing which client paid what
And where it connects
Related features
Appointments & bookingA column per stylist, colour processing gaps you can book into, online booking from Instagram.
Client historyVisits, colour formulas, allergies, purchases and deposits on one client card.
ReportsRevenue by stylist, retail per ticket, deposits, no-shows, stock and tax in one place.
Try it on your own book
See deposits & no-show fees with your own services.
Start the free trial and add your menu, or book a demo and we will set up a sample day using your real services and prices.
14-day free trial, no cardNo contractFree importSalon plan from $49/mo
Feature 02 · FAQ
Deposits & no-show fees: your questions
Setting up
Can I set different deposits for different services?
Yes. Each service can have no deposit, a fixed amount or a percentage. Most salons ask for deposits on colour, extensions, keratin and bridal only.
Can new clients pay a deposit while regulars don't?
Yes. Put trusted regulars in a client group that skips the deposit rule, or waive it on a single booking. The waiver is recorded against the user who made it.
Which payment methods can take a deposit?
Card payments work with your own processor or terminal; you can also record cash, bank transfer and, in Pakistan, JazzCash or Easypaisa as custom payment methods. We do not hold your money: the deposit goes to you.
Do you take a cut of deposits?
No. There is no commission on deposits, bookings or new clients. Your processor charges its normal card fee.
Policy
How do I write a fair cancellation policy?
State the notice period (24 or 48 hours is common), what happens to the deposit inside that window, and that the deposit always moves to a rescheduled booking made in time. We have a guide with sample wording.
Can I keep part of a deposit and refund the rest?
Yes. Refund any amount; the remainder is kept as a fee. Both lines appear on the client history.
Is a deposit taxable?
Tax treatment depends on your country and whether the deposit is later used or kept. In the UAE, VAT generally applies when the payment is received; ask your accountant. The software records deposits separately so your accountant can see them.
At the desk
What does the client see on the receipt?
The full service total, the deposit already paid, and the balance paid today, with dates. Receipts print in your chosen language.
Can I move a deposit to another client?
Yes, for example a gift booking. The move is recorded so nothing disappears.