> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.instaforge.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Confirmations, no-shows and deposits

> Ask people to confirm, free the time if they don't, and ask a deposit from people who missed visits.

Missed appointments cost the business money. Three settings on **Bookings** work together to reduce them.

## 1. Ask people to confirm

The reminder asks the customer to reply **YES**. Booking page customers who left an email can confirm by email.

Choose what happens if nobody confirms in time (for example 4 hours before):

| Option | What happens |
| - | - |
| **Give the time back** | The appointment is cancelled, the person is told, and the waiting list gets the time. A package visit goes back on the package |
| **Tell the team** | The appointment stays. Everyone who gets booking alerts hears about it, so someone can call |

<Info>
  Instagram only lets the assistant write within 24 hours of the customer's last message. People who can't be reached in the chat or by email are never cancelled automatically.
</Info>

## 2. Mark no-shows

Open the appointment after its time and click **Didn't come**. The customer's card shows how many appointments they've missed. Made a mistake? Click **They came**.

## 3. Deposits for people who missed visits

With Stripe connected on the [Payments](/grow-sales/online-payments) page, you can ask a deposit when booking: set the amount, the currency and how long the time is held under **Deposit to hold the time** on **Bookings**. Under **Who pays a deposit** choose **Only people who missed an appointment** and how many missed appointments it takes. Everyone else books straight away; people who missed visits get a payment link and the time is held for them.

## Example set-up for a salon

* Reminder 24 hours before, asking to confirm
* Not confirmed 4 hours before: give the time back
* Deposit after 2 missed appointments
* Waiting list on, so released times are filled

<Tip>
  Show the effect to the client. Insights counts confirmations asked, no-shows and deposits paid, and the monthly report includes them.
</Tip>


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