Collect deposits without hassle: Safely and digitally via iDEAL or Credit Card

Collecting deposits is a necessary evil for landlords, whether you rent out sloops, trailers, or vacation homes. You want security. You want tenants to handle your property with care. But all that cash is outdated. It's unsafe (because of a full cash register), it's prone to errors (because of human calculation errors), and it simply takes too much time.

Time to ditch that administrative hassle. With i-Reserve , you can simply arrange your deposit digitally. Secure, pre-arranged, and without any hassle afterward.

Why would you still work with cash?

Let's face it: no one enjoys a deposit transaction at the counter.

For the customer, it's an extra hurdle ("Oops, I need to withdraw some cash"). For you, it's an administrative task that keeps you from what you really want to do: give the customer a great day. Moreover, cash carries risks. Theft, loss, or that one note that just blows away in the wind on the jetty.

By digitizing the process, you project professionalism. You demonstrate that you have your affairs in order. And more importantly, you have financial security even before the client receives the keys.

Step 1: The Setup (You Set the Rules)

In i-Reserve , collecting deposits is not a complicated customization, but a standard option that you can activate per product.

Are you renting out a luxury sloop? Then the risk is greater than with a canoe. Therefore, you can set the exact deposit amount per product or per resource.

In addition, you have control over when the customer is confronted with this.

• Instant display: Do you want customers to immediately see that a €150 deposit will be added when booking online? Set the "Product deposit type" setting to "Yes." This will immediately clarify the situation.
• Show later: Want to keep the threshold low and include the deposit on the invoice? That's also possible.

The system calculates automatically. The rent plus the deposit equals the total. No calculator needed.

Step 2: Prepayment = security

The best scenario, of course, is if everything is arranged before the customer even arrives at your doorstep. The Online Payment module makes this possible.

You can easily connect i-Reserve to popular payment providers like Mollie, Buckaroo, or Stripe. This allows customers to pay directly via iDEAL or credit card while booking.

This has two major advantages:

1. Commitment: A customer who has already paid (including the deposit) will show up. No-shows are becoming rare.
2. Speed ​​at the counter: All you have to do is hand over the key and say "have a nice day." The financial processing is already complete.

In your reservation overview, you can see exactly who has paid. The BAIL (deposit) and PAID (paid) columns provide you with an overview at a glance. Is it green? Let's go!.

Step 3: The settlement (Damage or refueling?)

Then comes the moment of truth: the return. The boat is returned. Hopefully in perfect condition, but sometimes the reality is different. The tank hasn't been refilled, a fender is missing, or there's a scratch on the hull.

In the past, this would be a tug-of-war over change from the cash register ("I still need to deduct 20 euros for gas"). In i-Reserve , you can solve this with the Extra Fuel .

On the customer page or in the reservation you can add the additional costs with one click.

• Was the tank empty? Add the "Fill up" product.
• Is cleaning required? Add "Cleaning costs.".
• Is there any damage? Enter the damage amount.

Work smart with templates

To make things easier, you can use templates for common expenses. This way, you don't have to type "Gas fill-up costs" every time. Simply select the template, the system fills in the description and price, and you're done.

The final verdict: Digital offsetting

Now the system's strengths come to the fore. You have a paid deposit (say, €150) and additional costs (say, €30 for fuel). i-Reserve settles these costs for you.

The customer will receive a credit note or statement stating: Deposit €150 - Gasoline €30 = €120 refund. Depending on your payment provider and settings, you can refund this amount via the original payment method, or you can transfer it to a bank account.

Everything is recorded. No discussions, no handwritten notes, just accurate records.

Safety first

Besides convenience, security is a key factor. By digitizing your cash flow, you'll have less cash in your business. This is safer for you and your staff. Moreover, you meet the expectations of the modern consumer: they often don't even carry cash anymore.

You provide the service, we provide the numbers

Renting is a wonderful profession. It's all about facilitating enjoyment. Don't let those pesky financial risks spoil your mood.

By automating the deposit process in i-Reserve, you protect your property and your time. You'll have the assurance that the money has been received, and any damage can be handled professionally. This way, the atmosphere on the dock always remains positive.

Do you also want to get rid of the hassle of cash?

Curious how to set up the deposit settings for your rental company? We'd be happy to show you. Try i-Reserve free for 30 days . Experience the peace of mind of having your finances arranged before you even start the engine.