Taking an advance for a booking

An advance turns a request into a commitment. It is worth asking for when a no-show would cost you real money.

When to ask

The slot is long (more than an hour), or the work needs materials bought in advance.
You have had no-shows from new customers.
The date is in peak season, such as weddings or festivals.
You travel to the customer.

For a quick, cheap service with a loyal customer, an advance is usually more trouble than it is worth.

How much

Enough that the customer takes it seriously and you are not out of pocket if they do not come. Many businesses ask for a quarter to a half of the price, or the cost of the materials. Say whether it is adjusted against the bill, and whether and when it is refunded.

How to ask

Reply to the booking request with a message that names the slot, the amount and how to pay. See the "ask for an advance" message in booking messages.
Take payment by UPI or bank transfer, not by sending your card details.
Ask for a screenshot and check it in your own bank app. Do not trust the screenshot alone.
Confirm the booking only after the money has arrived.

Record it

Write each advance in your notebook or a sheet: date, name, amount, the booking it belongs to. When the customer comes, write the amount off against the bill and say so. The free quotation and invoice makers at Nivesh Sahayak let you show an advance on an invoice.

Refunds

Refund promptly when you cancel or when the customer cancels within your stated notice. Keep proof that you returned the money. A customer who is refunded quickly often books again.

Be careful

Never ask a customer to pay to an account you do not own, and never ask for a bank PIN, OTP or card number. Rules on advances and consumer protection differ by country; check them.

Common questions

Is an advance the same as a deposit?

In everyday use, yes: money paid before the service to hold the slot. What matters is the rule you state about whether it is adjusted or refunded.

What if a customer says they paid but I see nothing?

Wait for the money in your own bank app before you confirm. A screenshot can be wrong or fake.

Keep going

A booking link holds only what the business typed; customer names and numbers go only into the WhatsApp message to the business and never to us. It is not a live calendar: the business confirms each request. Example services, times and prices are made up. Hindi and Punjabi texts were written by us and not read by a native speaker. Checked 14 November 2026.