The Deposit feature allows you to collect only a portion of the total price at the time of booking, and automatically charge the remaining balance after the session is completed.
It’s perfect for service providers who want to secure client commitment upfront without requiring full payment immediately.
What the Deposit Feature Does
When you enable “Ask for Deposit” in a listing, your clients will:
- Pay only a percentage of the total price during checkout.
- Automatically be charged for the remaining balance once the session is completed.
- See clear messaging on the checkout page, such as “Pay $25 now, $75 later.”
As a provider, you’ll:
- Secure upfront revenue while maintaining flexibility for your clients.
- Avoid unpaid bookings or no-shows.
- Clearly track which payments were partial and which were completed.
How to Turn On Deposits
- Go to your Listing creation or editing page.
- Scroll to the Prerequisite section.
- Toggle “Ask for Deposit” → this will open a percentage input field.
- Enter the deposit amount as a whole number between 1 and 99.
- Example:
20= the client pays 20% now, 80% later. 0= no deposit, full payment due immediately (not recommended).
- Example:
- Save your changes — your deposit rule will now apply automatically at checkout.
Tip: Always make sure your deposit amount is higher than any discount applied, otherwise Stripe will not be able to automatically charge the remaining balance.
Discount Rules When Deposits Are Active
When you create discount codes for listings that use deposits:
- Recommended: Use percentage discounts rather than fixed amounts.
- If you use fixed discounts, they must always be lower than the deposit amount.
Example:
If your deposit is $50, your fixed discount must be less than $50.
Otherwise, the payment system cannot process the automatic charge correctly.
What Clients See at Checkout
When deposits are active, the checkout card will display a message such as:
“Pay $30 now, $70 later.”
This ensures full transparency for the client and improves trust during the payment process.
Email notifications will also clarify:
- Customer confirmation: “You have paid a deposit of $30. The remaining $70 will be charged automatically after your session.”
- Provider confirmation: “Your client has paid a deposit. The remaining balance will be collected after the session ends.”
What Happens if a Booking Is Cancelled
The deposit policy helps protect providers against late cancellations.
Here’s how it works:
- If the booking is cancelled, the deposit is non-refundable.
- The remaining balance will not be charged.
- The cancellation message will clearly explain what was refunded or retained.
Examples:
- Booking cancelled before full payment → Only the deposit remains with the provider.
- Booking cancelled after full payment → The full amount is refunded according to policy.
Why Deposits Are Useful for Service Providers
The Deposit feature creates more flexibility and reduces risk. Here are common use cases:
Consultants & Coaches
- Secure bookings for 1:1 sessions or group classes.
- Encourage early sign-ups while maintaining commitment.
Event Hosts & Workshop Organisers
- Offer “book now, pay later” options for higher-ticket events.
- Collect a small upfront amount to reduce cancellations.
Beauty & Health Providers
- Confirm bookings for limited-availability slots.
- Avoid last-minute no-shows that result in lost revenue.
Online Courses & Programs
- Let clients reserve their spot with a partial payment.
- Automatically charge the remaining fee once the course starts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a deposit in Fluum?
A deposit is a percentage of the total price that your client pays at the time of booking. The remaining balance is automatically charged after the session.
2. Can I set the deposit to any amount?
You can set it between 1% and 99%.
0% means no deposit, and 100% equals full upfront payment.
3. What happens if I apply a discount?
If your listing uses deposits, always make sure your discount is smaller than the deposit amount to avoid Stripe errors.
4. What if the booking is cancelled?
The deposit is non-refundable, and the remaining balance will not be charged.
The system automatically handles this for you.
5. Do I need to collect the rest manually?
No. Stripe automatically charges the remaining balance after the session, ensuring a seamless experience for both you and the client.
6. Can I use deposits for packages or digital content?
Not yet — but the system is being designed to support Packages and Content in the future.
7. What if the second payment fails?
If the remaining balance fails to charge, you’ll be notified automatically, and the client will be prompted to update their payment method.
8. Can I turn off deposits later?
Yes. You can toggle “Ask for Deposit” off anytime from your listing settings. Future bookings will then require full upfront payment.
Summary
The Deposit feature gives providers the freedom to offer flexible payment options while keeping revenue secure.
It’s ideal for anyone running sessions, events, or classes who wants to balance commitment with convenience – clients pay part now, the rest later, and everyone stays confident in the process.
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