Deposits...

[Skip Burrows]

The way we do it is 1/2 down and the other 1/2 when we Finnish. Those who don't like that policy, can gladly go elsewhere. I have learned through hard experience that the clients who complain about deposits never pay in the firs place. Good luck.

[chris carter]

Small projects, 100% up front. Large projects 60% up front.

You are NOT booked UNTIL the downpayment is received.

[Joao B.]

50% non-refundable when the project is booked, 50% against tracking or mix delivery.

[roy_mattie]

Originally Posted by Skip Burrows

The way we do it is 1/2 down and the other 1/2 when we Finnish. Those who don't like that policy, can gladly go elsewhere. I have learned through hard experience that the clients who complain about deposits never pay in the firs place. Good luck.

+1. Deposit secures the gig, and cancellation fees can be taken out of deposit $$. No one wants to get stuck turning down work for a job that gets cancelled on short notice.

Last 50% guarantees that you do the work, and are not screwing your clients taking deposits and not finishing the work.

If it's a bigger budget, and you'd prefer not to be left floating the last 50%, create milestones along the way and split the expenses up...say 25% to start, 25% at milestone 1, 25% at milestone 2, and 25% on completion.

Goes without saying...finals / masters / materials / hard drives / tapes don't head out the door until the bill has been paid in full.

[RARStudios]

Always get 50% down...if someone gives me a hard time about it, I refer other studios in town that they can screw over. (that was a joke...stupid internet sarcasm)

[Jim Keaney @ Devotion Recording]

50% required to book the dates. The other 50% due at the end of each date. I'm more lenient with repeat clients who I can trust more.

[Shock Value]

I totally screwed up when I did this one:

12 years ago: I gave her the material she used for a new tour and she never paid me a dime (I only charged 1,000 for it, which was a reasonable rate at the time.. then I sent the masters off before she paid... got screwed)...



Get 50% up front, no matter who it is. Then send them a really crappy MP3 to get the other half.

Just my 2 cents...

[robstercraw]

1/2 down to book the appt. the other 1/2 due when we start. less than 24hrs notice of cx and the deposit is gone.

[drBill]

50% down, 50% upon completion of the DATE, not the project.

For cancellations, they have as long as they booked to cancel. ie: If they book a week, they must give a weeks notice to get their deposit back. If they book a month, they must give a month's notice. Book a day? 24 hours notice. Otherwise they forfeit their deposit.

Longstanding good clients are different. I operate on a "handshake" level with them.