Taking a deposit for an appointment
A deposit is not really about the money. It is about converting a maybe into a commitment, which is what changes who turns up.
Set the event type to paid online and make the price your deposit. The slot is only confirmed once the card payment succeeds, and your cancellation policy decides what goes back.
Why a deposit works#
People keep appointments they have paid for. It is not about the amount — a ¥3,000 deposit on a ¥15,000 treatment changes the behaviour almost as much as charging the full price, because the psychological work is done by having paid anything at all.
It also filters. Somebody who will not put down a deposit for an appointment three weeks away was, more often than not, not going to come.
How much to ask for#
- Short appointments — the full price is simpler than a deposit, and nobody objects to prepaying for a ¥4,000 class.
- Long or expensive work — 20% to 30% is the usual range, collected at booking with the balance taken on the day.
- Work with real upfront cost — a cooking class where you buy ingredients, a tasting you have to bake — the deposit should at least cover what you spend before they arrive.
Setting it up#
- Connect your Stripe account under Booking → Payments. The money goes directly to you. Connecting Stripe
- Open the event type and choose the Payment tab.
- Select Paid online, when booking and enter the deposit as the price.
- Choose a cancellation policy.
- Say in the description that this is a deposit and what the balance is.
What the client experiences#
They pick a time, which is held for thirty minutes, fill in the form, and go to Stripe's secure payment page. The booking is confirmed when the payment succeeds. If they abandon it, the slot is released rather than held for somebody who did not pay.
When they cancel#
Your policy decides automatically, and the exact amount is shown to the client before they confirm. You can also refund any booking in full at any time, and cancelling one yourself refunds it in full. Refunds
If you are not ready for Stripe#
There is a middle option: paid in person. The price is shown to the client and recorded on the booking, but nothing is charged online. It needs no Stripe account and no subscription, and it at least sets the expectation. Paid in person
Common questions
How do I take a deposit rather than the full price?
Set the event type to paid online and make the price the deposit amount. Say in the description that it is a deposit and what the balance will be, and collect the rest at the appointment.
Where does the deposit money go?
Into your own Stripe account. Business Box never holds it and takes no commission — you pay a flat monthly subscription and Stripe takes its own processing fee.
What happens to the deposit if they cancel?
Your cancellation policy decides, automatically, and the client sees the exact refund before confirming. You can also refund in full at any time.
Can I take a deposit without a Stripe account?
Not a card deposit. You can show the price and collect it at the appointment, which needs no Stripe account and no subscription, but the money is not taken up front.
Set this up in about ten minutes
Business Box is free for as long as you like, with no card required — booking pages, Google and Outlook calendar sync, availability, Japanese public holidays and the website widget. Taking card payment for bookings is ¥1,200 a month, tax included, with no commission on what you sell.
Last reviewed 28 September 2026.