# How to Use the Deposit Feature in Cowlendar

{% hint style="warning" %}
T**his is a Ultra feature of Cowlendar.** You need to upgrade your plan if you want to use this feature and you are a free user of Cowlendar.
{% endhint %}

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### **What is the Deposit Feature and How to Set It Up?**

The Deposits feature in Cowlendar allows service providers to charge an additional fee at the time of booking, separate from the cost of the service. This can be used as a security deposit or to reduce the impact of no-shows. When a customer books a service, they will pay the deposit upfront. If necessary, the deposit can later be refunded manually by the service provider.

This feature is especially useful for services where you want to ensure commitment from the customer or protect yourself from last-minute cancellations.

### **How to activate the Deposit feature:**

{% hint style="warning" %}
It is not compatible with Instant Booking with Checkout. It works only with services set as Regular bookings.
{% endhint %}

1. **Go to Apps**
2. **Go to Cowlendar**
3. **Go to My Services:** In your Cowlendar account, navigate to the "My Services" section.
4. **Click Edit:** Find the service you wish to add a deposit to and click the "Edit" button next to it.

<figure><img src="https://1413666222-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FB7xH6fep0zIUsqsS8lgV%2Fuploads%2Fsp3oC29qOsGZ0Iyuu1Yg%2FUntitled%20design%20(18).png?alt=media&#x26;token=a0acf16f-e8f1-4b56-af0e-48bbd1feaca9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. **Go to the Payment Tab:** Inside the service editing page, click the "Payment" tab.
6. **Enable the Deposit Option:** Scroll down to find the "Deposit" option and toggle it on to enable it.

<figure><img src="https://1413666222-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FB7xH6fep0zIUsqsS8lgV%2Fuploads%2F83RWEb44Yhg0UW3TXMFX%2Fscreencapture-admin-shopify-store-cowlendar-app-staging-apps-cowlendar-staging-services-66c3523775a374e048147d68-2025-07-28-15_40_54-edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=64d0a3b4-3734-47e0-8c3c-753f405634ef" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
The deposit feature can only be assigned to services that involve equipment.
{% endhint %}

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### **How to Refund a Deposit**

If you need to refund a deposit after a booking has been completed, follow these simple steps:

1. **Go to the Bookings Section:** In your Cowlendar account, go to the "Bookings" section where you can view all your reservations.
2. **Locate the Customer's Reservation:** Find the reservation for the customer who needs their deposit refunded.
3. **Click the Three Dots on the Right:** Next to the customer’s reservation, click the three dots to open the options menu.
4. **Select Refund Deposit:** From the menu, select "Refund Deposit" and confirm the refund.

<figure><img src="https://1413666222-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FB7xH6fep0zIUsqsS8lgV%2Fuploads%2F3XqJ2rcHkaBqbs43r25F%2Fscreencapture-admin-shopify-store-cowlendar-app-staging-apps-cowlendar-staging-bookings-2025-07-28-15_44_35-edit.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3c82d7fa-2a62-4cd4-8f6c-f7d468dd28b5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The deposit will be manually refunded to the customer, and they will be notified accordingly.

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If you have any questions about the Deposits feature or need assistance with setting it up, our team is here to help! \
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Feel free to reach out to us through the in-app chat, and we’ll be happy to assist you with anything you need.
