What should I do if a client pays a deposit for a cuddle, cancels, then a couple days later, wants to schedule a new session. Do I collect another deposit?
Did they cancel last minute, or within the limits of the site contracts?
From the Client contract:
Cancellation Policy If you cancel within 12 hours of the appointment we ask that you pay half of the session price. This is to compensate the Cuddler for lost business as it's unlikely they would be able to find another client for that scheduled period at such short notice. In the case of a Cuddler cancelling within 12 hours, they are expected to offer you compensation in the form of a discount for your next session with them. If you cancel within 24 hours and your session includes a rental space arrangement prepaid for by the Cuddler, we ask you pay the full price of that rental cost. This is to compensate the Cuddler for what would otherwise be a tangible financial loss. In the reverse scenario we also ask the Cuddler compensate you in the same way.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel within 12 hours of the appointment we ask that you pay half of the session price. This is to compensate the Cuddler for lost business as it's unlikely they would be able to find another client for that scheduled period at such short notice. In the case of a Cuddler cancelling within 12 hours, they are expected to offer you compensation in the form of a discount for your next session with them. If you cancel within 24 hours and your session includes a rental space arrangement prepaid for by the Cuddler, we ask you pay the full price of that rental cost. This is to compensate the Cuddler for what would otherwise be a tangible financial loss. In the reverse scenario we also ask the Cuddler compensate you in the same way.
From the Pro contract:
Client deposits are applicable for refund when an agreed arrangement is changed at your request, or when the arrangement and deposit terms were not clearly communicated beforehand. Any deposit requirements should be stated clearly in your profile. In any case, we reserve the right to require the return of a deposit if we deem the circumstances to be unreasonable for the client.
It was last minute. Do I keep the deposit since it was within 12 hours, and have them pay another deposit for this next session they want to schedule? Thanks so much!
Per what I posted above from the contracts, a pro is entitled to half the fee for late cancellations. So if the deposit was up to half of the total session fee, the client should have to place a new deposit. If it was over half the session fee, you could apply the difference to a future session.
However, ultimately it is up to you and what you feel is fair for your time and effort. Pros mostly get to set their own policies, but they are hard to enforce if not communicated beforehand.
So here's a possibility (bear in mind that I'm a client, not a pro). Suppose you collect the second deposit, and the client meets with you as scheduled this time, you enjoy the session, etc. You could then offer to apply both deposits to the session at that time if you felt that the cancellation was a 'good faith' one.
This of course would depend on your own evaluation of the client when you meet, your gut feeling, and whatever other instincts you may use.
Did you get a room for the cuddle? If it is just loss of time, I personally would prob allow the previous deposit to go towards new session. If they are rescheduling with in a couple weeks of the missed session. There is no rule for it ... You are a private contractor and can set your own rules. I would suggest if you haven't already, to decide what those rules are and post them to your profile if taking a deposit is something you always do.
That depends on you and your existing policy. My policy says they must give 48 hours' notice to reschedule because that's the time I need to even have a fighting chance of filling the time slot. If it's less than 48 hours, then they are forfeiting their deposit. Allowing repeat cancellations and rescheduling defeats the purpose of the deposit.
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