Laura UnBound wrote:

He didn't even show up or call you, he's got no intention of sending you any money.

Cancellation fees will basically never work unless you're working with someone youve already established a good long-standing relationship with, then they MIGHT pay a kill fee. First timers? Nope.

Deposits will also be difficult for you to get, because people are worried you're going to run off with their cash.

Your best bet if you really need some sort of travel insurance is to offer a deposit policy that isn't mandatory, but gives them an incentive.  If someone puts down a deposit, they get to pick any day any time out of your schedule and they go on the calendar in pen. People unwilling to put down a deposit still go on the calendar, but in pencil. If a guy willing to put down a deposit comes along and wants someone else's time slot, they get bumped, they should have put down a deposit. The chances that someone will make a deposit are slim, the chances they're going to want the exact day and time as someone else are slim, so you probably won't run into scheduling conflicts too often, but its there and maybe it will work sometimes, without scaring off your clients.

He told me he would honor it within the next few days. We shall see.