Beauty salons such as beauty salons or hair salons are experiencing an increase in last minute cancellations or people not showing up for their appointment without prior notice, a scourge that is having a significant impact on their income.
Not only restaurants, but also beauty salons are seeing an increase in last minute cancellations.
More and more customers are canceling 30 minutes or an hour before their appointment. Others prefer not to show up when the time comes without calling to let them know.
This problem seems to be more pronounced with new or younger customers. However, the impact on entrepreneurs who suffer the consequences is significant.
“More and more they are not employees, but people who rent their chairs, so they are self-employed, so we understand that income is very important,” explained Daniel Simard, co-owner of the Airelle hairdressing salon in Chicoutimi.
“Then we wonder why stores close, but that's part of the problem.” Since cancellations of $100 per week equate to $400 per month, $4,800 in sales per year is huge!” noted Catherine Anderson , owner of the La Touche Finale beauty institute in Jonquière.
Entrepreneurs have difficulty explaining this phenomenon. However, financial problems are one of the most common reasons.
“We feel some instability in terms of strikes. My customers who are nurses or teachers,” noted Mélanie Fortin, hairdresser at Le Prisme hairdressing salon.
“If someone decides to cancel, I always give them a second chance if it's the first time and arrange another date. If the person does not return, they will have to pay for the full installation if they wish to return. That’s how I work and it’s a method that works at the moment,” explains Emmanuelle Tremblay, owner of the Ehma Salon.
Cancellation policy
To prevent and counteract this problem, the owner of the beauty salon La Touche Finale decided to introduce a cancellation policy about a year and a half ago.
“Depending on the service and the time spent, credit cards can be subject to penalties, and customers are well aware of that,” admits Catherina Anderson.
Despite this arrangement and appointment reminders in advance, she still experiences this situation occasionally. A customer didn't show up for her appointment last week.
“This client texted me at 8:45 a.m. to extend her appointment to 9:30 a.m. and despite everything, she just didn't show up and didn't even see fit to call me to let me know. At this point I think this is a deliberate lack of respect. It is up to the customer to take responsibility or take steps to prevent this or simply to budget better,” she continued.
More and more beauty salons are also considering introducing a similar cancellation policy if the problem persists.