Chasing payment after the appointment
Collecting payment after an appointment can mean extra reminders and administration. Online payment at booking lets customers pay before the appointment is confirmed.
Take payment when the booking is made. The money question is settled before the appointment, by a form rather than by you, and the slot is only confirmed once it has cleared.
The part of the job nobody trained you for#
Collecting money after the fact puts you in a position you did not want: reminding a customer, in writing, that they owe you. Most people put it off, some never send it, and the ones who do send it worry about the tone for twenty minutes.
Cash has its own version — a fumbled exchange at the end of an appointment, no change, and an envelope somebody forgot to bring.
What it costs#
- Time. Invoicing, following up, reconciling.
- Money. Some payments may remain outstanding.
- The relationship. The last interaction of a good appointment should not be about money.
Payment at booking, not after#
The customer pays by card when they book. The appointment is confirmed once the payment succeeds, the money lands in your own Stripe account, and there is nothing to chase. Charging for bookings
Customer payments go directly to your own Stripe account. Business Box charges no booking commission; Stripe’s processing fees apply separately.
Or just a deposit#
If the total is not known until the work is done — most clinics, most trades — take a deposit at booking and the balance on the day. It does most of the work. Taking a deposit
Or agree the price without taking it#
Paid in person shows the price to the customer and records it on the booking, but charges nothing online. No Stripe account, no subscription, and no surprise on the day. It is free, and it fixes the half of the problem that is really about expectations.
What it costs you#
Online card payments are included in the ¥1,200 monthly Paid plan. Business Box charges no booking commission; Stripe’s processing fees apply separately. You can display a price and collect payment at the appointment on the Free plan.
Common questions
How do I get paid before the appointment?
Set the event type to paid online and connect your Stripe account. The customer pays by card when booking, and the appointment is confirmed once the payment succeeds.
Does Business Box take a percentage of what I charge?
No. Payments are created on your own Stripe account and the money is yours. You pay a flat ¥1,200 a month; Stripe charges its own processing fee.
Can I show a price but collect it in person?
Yes, and it is free. Choose Paid in person — the price is shown to the customer and recorded on the booking, and you take the money however you like on the day.
Start taking bookings online
The Free plan includes booking pages, Google Calendar and Outlook connections, working hours, Japanese holiday settings and booking on your website. No credit card is required, and there is no time limit. The Paid plan is ¥1,200 per month including tax and adds online card payments, team bookings and LINE integration. Business Box charges no booking commission; Stripe processing fees apply separately.
Last reviewed 16 October 2026.