Re: Should I still charge a kill fee in this instance?

Great question. "Turnabout is fair play," I guess.

When a client cancels late on me, I do not charge a cancellation fee if it's an "act of God," or even a human slip-up, in part because of the situation that Dan describes: what if I couldn't fulfill an obligation due to circumstances beyond my control?

If a client develops a regular habit (due to something other than acts of God) of booking a Wednesday, and not really being ready until Friday, then it's time for Plan B. Explain to the client the difference between ink and pencil, i.e. a firm booking vs. a tentative one. If Client 1 asks you to "pencil them in," that means that if Client 2 offers you a job, you can call Client 1, let them know you have a firm offer from another client, and give Client 1 a choice: either release you from the session OR "ink them in," meaning that they must pay for the day, whether they show up or not. I think that makes it more understandable to the client, that if they reserve the time and deprive you of the opportunity to do another job, you must be compensated for the loss. In time, that tends to make clients more responsible about their bookings.

Plan B is more of an educational tool than a money-maker. In fact, as a revenue-producer, it is a loser. I have raised the CONCEPT of Plan B quite often, giving Client 1 the chance to reschedule or book firmly, but only once have enforced it when Client 1 couldn't make the date (losing Client 1 in the process). But I got paid, and it was one of the happiest working days of my life.

Bob C