What is the Deposit all about?

[Inspired by Reggio]

So are most potential clients used to this or are they surprised that you want 2 weeks worth of fees be deposited? Also when do you tell them about this? During your first conversations or on your website/ad or at the interview?

This is common practice IME ~ when I was in centre care they often had clients pay monthly and therefore require a MONTHS security deposit it was literally like coming up with 'rent' for a client because they had to have like $1600 for the first month of care $800 for the security deposit and fees are paid 'in advance' of care as well so they would need their first month of fees due shortly after the deposit was given!

My policies are clearly on my website and potential clients who inquire about care are asked to 'read it through' before coming for an interview and have any questions ready and than they are discussed in detail the interview to help explain to further clients the necessity or value behind any that they might be confused about.

I am sure there are clients out there who looked at my website and thought ~ no way am I willing to do that and never contacted me in the first place and that is cool .... IME the only people who take issue with paying a security deposit are those who would consider STIFFING you and know that the deposit will prevent them that freedom ~ I choose to attract clients who would never consider not paying me or not giving notice and so forth and just have the deposit as a 'precaution' I hope to never need

[daycaremom9]

I also ask for a deposit that goes towards last months fees. A good idea might be to take that fee in cash rather than a check.