What to do when a client cancels pickup

Any customer that wants to schedule a job more than a week out I charge a non-refundable $50 deposit. Reason being there is a high cancellation rate for those jobs. I have shown up and heard "Oh my brother/ cousin/friend came and did it cheaper/for free. Didn't someone call you?"

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Any customer that wants to schedule a job more than a week out I charge a non-refundable $50 deposit. Reason being there is a high cancellation rate for those jobs. I have shown up and heard "Oh my brother/ cousin/friend came and did it cheaper/for free. Didn't someone call you?"

That is something else I was thinking of doing, but dont want to run off new business either.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

That is something else I was thinking of doing, but dont want to run off new business either.

You HAVE to George. Seriously. Anything more than a week away, something inevitably comes up. A deposit keeps things straight and businesslike. Sheduling a job 8 days out means you will 80% have a cancellation in my experience, then you've lost whatever revenue you could have put in place of that job because you are holding a spot for them.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

You HAVE to George. Seriously. Anything more than a week away, something inevitably comes up. A deposit keeps things straight and businesslike. Sheduling a job 8 days out means you will 80% have a cancellation in my experience, then you've lost whatever revenue you could have put in place of that job because you are holding a spot for them.

That is quite true as well.

I could always put it like that as well. Telling them to ensure that particular spot is theirs, there will be a non refundable fee of x amount of dollars that will be required before the spot can be booked that far out. Then informing them, that the deposit can go towards their estimate.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

That is quite true as well.

I could always put it like that as well. Telling them to ensure that particular spot is theirs, there will be a non refundable fee of x amount of dollars that will be required before the spot can be booked that far out. Then informing them, that the deposit can go towards their estimate.

Also if they're willing to pay the deposit you know they're serious.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Also if they're willing to pay the deposit you know they're serious.

What do you use a minimum John? Meaning, like 3 days, 5 days, or what?

Do you do a $50 Deposit with your clients?

Only thing with that, for me, is the minimum i charge for metal removal (even appliance is $35, so that might be lowered of course.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

What do you use a minimum John? Meaning, like 3 days, 5 days, or what?

Do you do a $50 Deposit with your clients?

Only thing with that, for me, is the minimum i charge for metal removal (even appliance is $35, so that might be lowered of course.

I usually charge a deposit for anything 8 days out or more.