CM Club - Anotherr boring retainer / deposit thread where I need help!

[Booh]

I just don't know the best way forward.

I have a space that will be available from June two days a week, I have a lady who is coming to see me (today!) and she wants the space in early December.......now that is quite away away.

Do I just charge a deposit? I know that I am going to miss out on money, but it would suit me to have less children over the summer so I can spend time with my children.

Or do I charge a retainer?

What I don't want to happen is for someone to pay me a tiny deposit then get to the day and say they have changed their mind!

I charge the 'first months money' as a deposit & if they change their mind they lose that

Then if someone comes in the mean time who wants the space (eg from Sept) I phone the first person & say do you still want the space - if they say yes they have to pay a retainer, if they say no I return the deposit

It works well as 90% of the time no-one wants the space & wif someone does they are happy to pay the retainer as they can see it protecting the space

Ordinarily you should charge a retainer, as the space is available and you are keeping it for this person.

You could always say that they can give you a small deposit, but if someone else comes along who wants the place then you will recontact them and they will then need to pay a retainer or you will fill the place and return their deposit.

Hope this helps, have my ds's arguing over a toy in my ear.......