Leaving Covid aside, I would retain the deposit if the client canceled a few days in advance for a non-emergency, e.g. they didn’t sell enough tickets. Not my problem.

During the pandemic, like a lot of other callers, I’ve refunded all outstanding deposits.

Looking ahead, I’ve backed out of one indoor private party due to the spread of the Delta variant. I have a couple of outdoor gigs coming up, which I’m less nervous about.

Tony Parkes

Billerica, Mass.

www.hands4.com

New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century

(aiming for Fall 2021)

From: Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2021 9:31 AM
To: Don Veino <sharedweight_net@veino.com>
Cc: Caller's discussion list <callers@sharedweight.net>
Subject: [Callers] Re: Covid cancellations

Don,

I would not return a non-refundable deposit for a weather event.  That deposit could be applied for a mutually agreeable date.

I made exceptions to my policy during the pandemic.

Rich

On Fri, Aug 20, 2021 at 10:04 PM Don Veino via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

On Thu, Aug 19, 2021 at 5:30 PM Rich Sbardella <richsbardella@gmail.com> wrote:

I generally require a 50% non-refundable deposit for all weddings and outdoor events.  

I do allow the forfeited deposit to be applied toward a mutually acceptable make-up date.  

For the mentioned gig the deposit was less than 50%. The same policy was applied - so long as they wished to reschedule, the deposit amount rolled forward. After the third date was agreed they later chose to go ahead with the rest of the event, just cancel the dancing. They were cheerfully refunded the vast majority of the deposit and, should they choose to book for the suggested first anniversary barn dance, the small amount retained might be applied.

During the pandemic, I have returned many deposits without questions.

Yep, common decision. Though this might sound argumentative, it's not meant as such... just genuinely curious. In what situation would you *not* refund a "non-refundable" deposit?