4 ms·
My barber doesn’t have online booking or phone booking. You walk in and take a seat, or wait in the line if it’s busy. I asked him why not. He told me that he
by saaaaaam 8y ago
My barber doesn’t have online booking or phone booking. You walk in and take a seat, or wait in the line if it’s busy.
I asked him why not. He told me that he used to take bookings, and stopped for a few reasons:
1. A lot of people book appointments and don’t show up, or show up late, causing him down time and reduces his income. If a regular client shows up late for his 30 minute appointment does he make another customer - also booked - wait?
2. He can cut some people’s hair in 15 minutes while others it might take 40. By having booking it limits this flexibility. He can also charge more or less depending on how long it takes.
3. Walk ins are self regulating. People know when it’s likely to be busy and when it’s likely to be quieter. If they don’t mind waiting they come at a busy time. If they want to be in and out quickly they go off peak.
- frankcort 8y agoYeah, no-shows and late-arrivals are a huge problem for small businesses. My barber told me the same thing back in 2010. I launched Apptoto.com as a side project back then, went full-time with it in 2014 and it's still my full-time gig.
- driverdan 8y agoAs a counterpoint, this is only a problem for barbershops that aren't very busy. The barber I used to go to is insanely busy. No matter when you show up the wait is at least 30 min, usually 1-2 hours. I switched to a place that's more expensive but has appointments. Not wasting 1-2h is worth an extra $10.