Treatment asked for a 50% deposit

[hurtandconflicted]

I have a specific facial every two months and have used this clinic for two years. Treatments are quite pricey and have never missed an appointment or in fact rearranged one. Recently I have been contacted ( appointment 4 weeks away) and they have emailed to say that they need a 50% deposit now. To me it seems that perhaps they are having cash flow issues and if that’s the case am I at risk of loosing my money. Any thoughts?

I think more likely they’ve had lots of people failing to turn up.

I’ve always had to pay a 50% deposit at my beauty place so it might not be that, they just might just be getting a lot of no shows?

In my experience this is due to some of their clients booking and then not turning up, so they then have a blanket rule about all bookings. Seems sensible to me.

I think a lot of salons get no shows or customers arguing over payment
if you’re concerned use a credit card so if something happens you can do a charge back
it’s not unusual where I live for salons to ask for deposits

You have the answer…people cancel. You don’t but others do, taking deposits reduces that and prevents big losses.

you are reading too much into it and it doesn’t warrant a post here.

Hairdressers and beauticians often ask for a deposit and it’s fair to ask everyone for a deposit rather than only the customers without a record of regular payment. It would only bother me if I was quite flaky (which you are not) or lived a life where I’d want the flexibility of cancelling last minute because stuff can happen at short notice. The policy isn’t a reflection on you- it’s because of the behaviour of others who can lead to wasted time and costs for the business.

Wouldn’t say necessarily it’s a cash flow problem. I think a lot of places are seeing no shows recently which obviously causes lost income.

My hairdresser now does the same for most customers (not me though as she knows I’d literally need to be dead to miss an appointment) but I could understand why companies would just do it as a blanket policy to keep things simple.

Mine has recently started doing this and I think it’s a change in their policy due, as others have mentioned, no shows. Beauty salons in my area are very strict about not showing up and require 24/48 hour cancellation notice.

My hairdresser introduced this after COVID. As long as I cancel / rebook 48 hours before the appointment the deposit just gets carried over

Probably people are just not turning up it and they have put it in place for time wasters isn't the same but I have to give a deposit to my hairdresser if im having a colour. It ends up just being a rolling deposit.

They are being very sensible. My friend was a beautician and lost a lot of money when people didn’t turn up.

My hairdresser has recently introduced deposits due to no shows, she's specifically said I don't need to as a reliable, longstanding client. I do though as I'm happy to, and it does presumably aid with cash flow as she has to purchase my colours prior to my app

My salon and my dentist have both started doing this recently, both say it's due to no shows / late cancellations. Both are very long established and always busy so I don't think they are covering for cash flow issues.

Thank you everyone, I don’t mind paying it but just thought it strange to get an email rather than wait until my next appointment.
@Borededyou don’t get to police what I post about, I can post what I like and decide for myself if it’s warranted or not.

It was probably a generic email to all customers.

Lots of places do this now as they get a lot of no shows/ last min cancellations.
if you never cancel then I don’t see an issue ?

My dentists does this and so does my husband's .

I have no issue with places having a deposit requirement, but to ask for one after an appointment has been booked? That would bother me.

@BoredZeldathats why it’s not sitting right with me!