I have read several posts about how much to charge for the rental of a cake stand, and how much to charge for the deposit, but what I am unclear on his how everyone handles the deposit. Do you take the money upfront and then return it when the item is returned? Do you take a credit card number and only charge them if they don't return it? If they give you a check, do you cash it and then cut a check for them as a refund or just hold the check they gave you? There are so many options here and we want to make sure we are not doing anything out of the ordinary, but we also want to make sure we are covered. Thanks for any advice you can give!

We collect the cash or check for the deposit up front and return the deposit once we receive the equipment back in good condition, that way if there are any issues with the check we can find out sooner rather than later.

If we accepted credit cards (we don't) we probably wouldn't charge for the deposit at all unless the equipment was not returned.

And BTW you're not the only one here who doesn't bake, I also handled just the business side of our bakery until we sold it.

Thanks Jason. I figured credit card was the easiest way because we do accept them, but I worry that unless I charge the card upfront, it would be the same as a check...who knows if it is any good until you try to charge it!

Presumably you will be charging a deposit to hold the date well in advance of the event, so if there was a problem with the credit card you would find out then.

Don't forget to make totally sure exactly who is responsible for the return of the stand too. I have heard of cake stands being left in the cars at the airports for two weeks, whilst the bridge and groom enjoy their honeymoon - who is going to pay for the stand hire. Not least of all - what other weddings could be spoilt if the stand is not returned on time and the hire shop have no others to hire out? Make sure you know exactly who is paying for the stand hire, paying for the deposit and who is responsible for the return. If you make this the bridal parties responsibility - then that will be one less thing to worry about.

Yes, we do require a deposit for the cake to hold the date well in advance, but I am not going to charge a deposit to their credit card ( for the stand rental) 8 months in advance. I dont think they should not have to pay interest on a deposit that they are going to get back.

Does anyone on here have any experience actually renting stands with their cakes? If so, exactly how did you handle the deposit? I have a contract made up that outlines the rules and what happens if they dont return the stand. I just don't know what the common practice is on taking refundable security deposits.

Jason gave me some info (I dont want to discount that), but I would still like to know what the norm is when it comes to credit card deposits.

I have them give me CASH when their final payment is due. When they return the equipment they get the cash back. I am not messing with someone disputing the credit card payment or writing a check on closed account or any other crap like that.

At our bakery, we require 50% of order plus the security deposit in order to hold it for the date. I have actually had a bride go away on her honeymoon and forget about the $90.00 cupcake tower. The venue finally located it 2 months later. Yes, I had charged the security deposit ahead of time and therefore the money was in the bank in order to overnight ship the new tower. I politely let her know it was needed and we would be needing to purchase another one for the next weekend's wedding, therefore, we would not be able to return her deposit. Our deposit is not only the cost of tower but overnight shipping cost is included. Total of $150.00. The bride understood and actually wrote an incredible review for us. No, I did not return her money when the tower suddenly appeared 2 months later. I was still out the money for a new tower.