Thread: How much for deposit?

Sooo... I was wondering if any of you ladies could tell me how much you charge or would charge for a deposit for a gig. 10%, 25%, 50%?

I think 50% is appropriate.

Nice to see you here!

Thanks homey!!

50%, non-refundable if the client cancels. Fully refunded if I am unable to honor the date (which has never happened, but if I were to be in an accident or an unexpected emergency were to arise...)

Thanks! Good policy!

Originally Posted by nayastrance

50%, non-refundable if the client cancels. Fully refunded if I am unable to honor the date (which has never happened, but if I were to be in an accident or an unexpected emergency were to arise...)

Same here, sometimes I ask for 100% up front depending on the client.


Khalida

I do 50%, refundable until a week before the event (two weeks if they sound like a difficult client). I've only had to refund once - the wedding was called off (eek!). Thankfully, it was months ahead of time anyway.

I like 50% (and the post about 100%). 50% seems high to some people, but it's really not when you think about the preparation involved. The actual dancing part is just incidental.

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

I do 50%, refundable until a week before the event (two weeks if they sound like a difficult client). I've only had to refund once - the wedding was called off (eek!). Thankfully, it was months ahead of time anyway.

I used to do a refundable deposit as well, but unlike you I unfortunately did wind up with more than a few cancellations after arranging my schedule around the event. ..cr.: So I went to a 50% non-refundable deposit earlier this year. I don't know if it scares clients off or not, but I'd rather no get the gig at all than have them book me, expect to have that money coming in, then have them cancel a couple of weeks later.

As far as scaring people off--look at any contract for services and deposits are almost always non-refundable--especially entertainment contracts. I know, because I'm planning my wedding & all my vendors require the same thing.
If a potential client balks, simply say its standard in the entertainment industry and use the wedding planning analogy--your photographer, dj, band, florist are all going to require a non-refundable deposit. Why? You're now closing off that date & time to other potential clients, and you need to guarantee that income.

I do 50%, refundable until two weeks before the event. I also define - in the contract - the day and time the cutoff is.

That way - you do not get some yahoo saying "I thought the cutoff was tomorrow?"..

I do 50% with a graduated refund policy. I may have to look at that. The main issue though is that no matter when they cancel, I keep something. This covers times spent in negotiating hte contract and incidentals such as Paypal fees.

{{{HUGS}}}

I charge $125 for most gigs and ask for $50 non-refundable deposit, which is ...40% (had to do the math).

As others have stated 50% non refundable after 14 days prior to event.
Always Cash on arrivel for the remaining 50%.

I'm bumping this thread, because I just had an experience where I'm SO glad I instituted a non-refundable deposit.

I was booked back in September to do two performance/mini-lesson classes at a corporate wellness center. The first class was supposed to be this upcoming Tuesday, along with a follow up class Tuesday after. I've put a quite a bit of advance work in already, and I had to make some major adjustments to my personal and dance schedule in order to do these one-off classes on a Tuesday evening (not to mention so close to Thanksgiving).

I sent my contact an email yesterday asking how many people were expected, as I was preparing some handouts and wanted to know how many copies I would need to make. I just got a response that there has been so little interest, the company is going to cancel! I am so happy for my non-refundable deposit, because I now feel that I've been compensated for my advance work and efforts, instead of feeling screwed over.

Galatea - I'm so sorry that happened. That is exactly why I charge a non-refundable deposit.

I charge $35 non-refundable, for most cases.

Originally Posted by mahira-michelle

Galatea - I'm so sorry that happened. That is exactly why I charge a non-refundable deposit.

I'm really disappointed too, as the wellness center was in one of the towns I teach in, and I thought it would be a great way to attract some new students to my regular classes while still getting paid my usual rate. ,f::

50% non-refundable unless I cancel.
Balance paid in cash upon my arrival and BEFORE I perform.
Anyone who refuses isn't someone I want to work for...

Deposits are 33% - 50%. Most of my gigs are pretty standard, IOW, not requiring undue amounts of prep. The deposit is refundable up to a week or two before the event, or if I have to cancel.

Now, I've never had anything like laura 2's situation, but if I was asked to do a gig like she did at the corporate wellness center, where she was making handouts and such, the deposit would be 50% and non-refundable!

You betcha!

Deborah