Deposits/booking Fees

[Norfolk DJ 0]

 

I've been thinking about my terms and conditions recently. I charge a deposit usually of £50 per gig with the balance payable 21 days prior to the event.

 

Has anyone encountered any problems retaining deposits after a cancellation is made?

 

Second question. Is there any distinction between a deposit and a booking fee?

 

Rob

[spinner 0]

I've been thinking about my terms and conditions recently. I charge a deposit usually of £50 per gig with the balance payable 21 days prior to the event.

 

Has anyone encountered any problems retaining deposits after a cancellation is made?

 

Second question. Is there any distinction between a deposit and a booking fee?

 

Rob

 

 

First question no.

 

Second question - an initial payment or deposit is to secure the date for the client and for you to turn down other work.

 

Booking fees are charged by, for example, companies selling tickets for shows and events. Some holiday cottage firms charge a booking fee as well as asking for a deposit (both non-refundable). Even my local cinema charges a booking fee if I buy tickets online.

 

 

[djgorey 0]

I agree - the deposit is payment in return for turning down other work. Therefore, if someone cancels after paying a deposit, that's their tough luck.

[McCardle 1]

I charge a £30 deposit on all bookings which is roughly about 10% of the average booking fee. I have the right to retain the deposit if the function is cancelled after the signed contract is returned along with the deposit, and this is stipulated clearly in the booking terms. Of course if the client doesn't like these terms, they don't have to sign and return the form / deposit, in which case I write to them 14 days later informing them that their provisional booking has been cancelled because the paperwork has not been returned and no deposit has been made.

 

I do excercise some discretion to refund, such as a sudden death of an immediate relative I would be sympathetic and on one or two occasions in the past where several months notice was given and I was able to get rebooked I did refund the deposit.

 

I've had some cancellations this year, in those which have been cancelled outright (rather than moved) I've had no problem whatsoever in retaining the deposit as compensation for the loss of work. In fact the clients in these cases expected itand had already accepted that when they made the call to cancel.

Edited July 11, 2009 by McCardle