Unpopular opinion: not all upfront deposits are a red flag, some clients just want you to prove you'll show up

After a guy in Indianapolis bailed on a $2,100 landscaping job two years ago, I started asking for a 25% deposit and it actually weeded out the tire kickers and got me paid on time more often than not, anyone else find that a small deposit helps more than it hurts?

3 comments

3 Comments

paige_bell8110d ago

That $2,100 loss stings man, I totally get why you'd need a deposit @jesse_smith10. Honestly, that study you mentioned makes a lot of sense, putting money down upfront really does make people treat the whole thing more seriously.

the_daniel10d ago

Does the deposit actually make people feel more committed once they've paid it? I bet just having some skin in the game makes them take the job more seriously too.

jesse_smith1010d ago

Oh, absolutely. I actually read a study a few years back about this exact thing. It was about how people who put down a deposit or prepay for something are significantly more likely to actually follow through and finish the job or project. There is some psychology behind it where once you part with your own money, you start to mentally treat it as a real commitment instead of just a promise. I think that small cost up front changes the whole dynamic, makes it more of a serious obligation in your head.