Definition
The deposit is the sum paid on ordering, generally 30 to 50 % of the price, which binds both parties firmly: the client can no longer withdraw without owing the agreed price, and the pyrotechnician must perform. It differs from earnest money ("arrhes"), which the French Consumer Code presumes when a contract with a private individual says nothing (article L214-1): either party may then back out, the client forfeiting the sum, the professional returning it twofold. The word "acompte" must therefore appear expressly. The balance is paid after the show within the period set by the contract: 30 days by default between businesses, 60 at most, and 30 days for local authorities, which owe late-payment interest and a flat 40-euro indemnity if late. The deposit funds the purchase of fireworks, often paid to the supplier months before the season.
In practice, for the display company
The season is financed with March deposits and settled in September. PyroDesk issues the deposit invoice when the quote is signed, offers online payment from the portal, tracks receipts through bank reconciliation and automatically chases overdue balances according to the contract terms.