Appointment deposits
Appointment deposits that go straight to your own account
If you already ask clients for a deposit by DM, Appcitas automates the asking, the hold and the release. The client pays your own account, sends the receipt, and you tap confirm. Appcitas never touches the money and takes no commission on it.
Live demo: book an appointment the way your customer would.
What chasing deposits by DM looks like
- You ask for a Zelle deposit, the client says "just sent it," and you have to open your bank app to check.
- While you wait for the payment, the slot sits blocked and you could have given it to someone else.
- The no-shows are the same few people, and nothing stops them from booking again.
- A booking tool that takes a processing fee on every deposit eats the margin on a small appointment.
A deposit for hair and nail appointments that lands in your account, not ours
Most booking apps take deposits through their own card processing, with fees. Here, you choose how clients pay: Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, a bank transfer, a payment link, whatever you already use. The client pays that account directly. Appcitas does not receive or hold the money, is not a payment processor, and takes no commission on the deposit.
Each booking gets a short reference code to put in the payment note, so you know whose payment is whose.
The slot is held, then released on its own
When the client books, the slot is held (2 hours by default, with a deadline of at least one hour before the appointment). If they do not report payment in time, the slot is released automatically and open again for someone else.
Receipt from your booking page or your chats, and you make the call
The client sends a photo of the receipt from the booking page and, on Pro, also in your WhatsApp, Instagram or Messenger. The AI gives a quick signal ("looks right" or "check it," based on amount and date), but it does not verify payments. You confirm with "Received" or "Did not arrive".
If you mark "Did not arrive," that phone number can no longer book online with you. And you get a push reminder when a reported deposit is still unconfirmed as the appointment gets close.
You set the amount, the rules and the exceptions
Ask for a fixed amount or a percentage, and apply it only to services above a price. Regulars can be exempted after a number of visits, and bookings you add by hand never ask for a deposit. It is off by default: you turn it on, from the Starter plan.
One honest note: because the money goes to your account, checking payments and issuing refunds is the business's responsibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Appcitas take a cut of the deposit?
No. The deposit goes straight to your account. Appcitas never touches it and takes no commission on it.
Is Appcitas a payment processor?
No. The client pays you through whatever method you set up (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, a bank transfer, a payment link) and you confirm it arrived.
Does the AI verify that the payment is real?
No. When it sees the receipt it gives an indicative signal ("looks right" or "check it"), but it does not verify payments. You confirm in your dashboard.
What happens if the client never pays?
If they do not report payment within the hold time (2 hours by default), the slot is released. If you mark "Did not arrive," that number cannot book online with you again.
Can I take deposits on some services only?
Yes. Ask for a fixed amount or a percentage, and apply it only above a price you choose. Regulars can be exempt, and bookings you add by hand never ask.
Can I use this as a nail tech or lash artist who already asks for Zelle?
Yes, that is the typical case. You keep your Zelle or Cash App. Appcitas does the asking, holds the slot, collects the receipt and frees the slot if no one pays.
Who handles refunds?
You do. The money goes to your account, so deciding on and sending refunds is up to your business.
Is it on by default?
No. Deposits are off until you turn them on, and they are available from the Starter plan.
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