Thread: What's your cancellation policy?

This question is kinda related to my previous post here in the business forum.

I've just been undercut majorly and I know I could have avoided that if I had worked with a contract and deposit *sigh*

So, now that I'm starting to get more corporate gigs, it's time for me to get serious and work out a contract and cancellation policy!

Any tips, ideas, examples are welcome!

For instance, do you work with deadlines?
Like, 2 weeks notice, you get deposit back,
1 week notice, you get 50% back
3 days, 25%
less days, nada

Or do you only refund in case of "circumstances beyond one's control" (and then explaining in a contract what those are?)

I'm asking this because the company who cancelled because of an undercutter, did this months before due date... So I wonder if I really could have done something to avoid this..

you can try, but whether or not they'll actually do what your contract says...

i've tried deposits, it works for private clients, never for corporate. they need to be fully invoiced, and then one waits, and waits. do you cancel the gig if they dont pay the deposit? you dont, you wait...

but it works a little as a scare tactic sometimes. having it on paper is also necessary if they dont pay you afterwards. but other than that, i dont think a gig is secured till it's actually happening. ;-)

so what do you do, a pub has hired you and two days before the event they call you, tell you family disaster has trcuk (mother of owner died) and they cancel the planned party...

i dont charge them... was it true. probably... is it sometimes not true, probably.

Yeah, I already noticed that payment for corporate gigs takes much longer... hate that, but not much to be done about I guess

Oh well, a girl can try!
Still gonna work on that cancellation policy though, even if it doesn't work, at least it will make me look organised ;-)

This is my current wording, but I belive that I am going to adjust it. . .

What if I book you, and then I cancel the appearance?


I require a 25% cancellation fee for cancellations made less than 7 days before the show date, and a 50% cancellation fee for cancellations less than 72 hours (three full days) before the show date. Cancellation the day of the show requires a payment of the full balance. Long before the show starts, I invest significant time and energy creating a customized program for your show. Also, I may have already turned down other engagements based on accepting this show. Cancellations more than 7 days before the show date will be charged a 15% fee and any remaining deposit will be returned.

Having worked for so long in the entertainment industry, I have learned that I don't do anything without a contract and a deposit. Even with corporate events I get a deposit. But that is the norm in the industry I work in.

{{{HUGS}}}

{{{HUGS}}}

All of my deposits are non-refundable, because I'm bad-ass. (And sick of getting cancelled because the undercutter made them an offer they couldn't refuse). If the client dumps me because they "overspent their budget," or want somebody more ethnic looking or somebody freaked out because "ZOMG!!!! belly dancing is SCANDALOUS!" - then tough nookies, because they should have gone through all of the logistics before dotting their i's and crossing their t's in my contract.

However....I'm leniant if the client must cancel due to a personal illness or injury, a car accident, a family issue, anything that constitutes an emergency. Life happens sometimes, and I understand.

I require a 50% deposit that is completely non-refundable. If they cancel less than 24 hours before the the gig, they also owe me the balance as well.

I used to refund the deposit up to a week before the event, but I was getting canceled in semi-regularly, and it was causing cash flow problems. Since going to the non-refundable deposit a year ago, I've only had one cancellation (and yes, it was a corporate client!).

Originally Posted by laura 2

I require a 50% deposit that is completely non-refundable. If they cancel less than 24 hours before the the gig, they also owe me the balance as well.

I used to refund the deposit up to a week before the event, but I was getting canceled in semi-regularly, and it was causing cash flow problems. Since going to the non-refundable deposit a year ago, I've only had one cancellation (and yes, it was a corporate client!).

I think this is perfectly fair and a good way to prevent cancellations. It also discourages undercutting because the client may find someone for less, but when they calculate the amount they will lose on the deposit, then they are less likely to do so. For example, if they save $50 by hiring a different dancer, but then they lose the $100 deposit they gave you...it's a no brainer. Just sayin'.

Agreed with the above on deposits and contracts - however I've never had issues with corporate clients, in fact I have, without exception, always had payment for me when I show up to the gig. I've never had to invoice a corporate client and never had to wait for payment. Stipulate this in your contract. No cheque when you show up, then you don't dance.

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