Cancellations or late arrivals: which choice limits losses in your hair salon
Loss in a salon is not only product that disappears. It is also time you can no longer sell. Below you work it out step by step, so you see where a fixed rule pays off most.
What a late cancellation costs you
An empty slot cannot be sold again. Take a 60-minute women's cut at €60. With 6 late cancellations a month you lose 6 x €60 = €360.
As an example policy (not a legal rule), allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before and charge 50% after that. Apply it consistently and you keep 6 x €30 = €180. Your loss halves.
If you ask for a €20 deposit via iDEAL, the transaction fee of 0.5% with a minimum of €0.30 applies. 0.5% of €20 is €0.10, so the €0.30 minimum counts. You receive €19.70 on your own account.
For how to build such a rule, read the cancellation policy checklist.
Late arrivals: one fixed rule
Pick one rule and apply it to everyone. For example: if a client arrives more than fifteen minutes late, you shorten the treatment and the agreed price stays. Say so in advance, in the confirmation.
With a 60-minute booking and a 20-minute delay, 40 minutes remain. If the work can be done properly in that time, it goes ahead. If not, calmly discuss options, such as another day.
Also allow for differences per service. A child's cut needs a different time estimate than an extensive women's treatment. Set that duration per service in your calendar so fifteen minutes late does not push back the whole afternoon.
Product loss: calculate per treatment
Loss also sits in colour left in the bowl. A 60 ml tube costs €8.40, so €0.14 per ml. If you use 10 ml too much per treatment, that is €1.40. With 40 colour treatments a month it adds up to €56.
Measuring cups or dosing pumps and a fixed minimum stock per product limit that. Also compare stock movements with till sales and investigate recurring differences.
How to set that up is in salon inventory management. Or simply try it: start free.
Fewer empty slots and less wasted product
Start free with calendar, till and stock in one place. Cancel monthly.
Start freeFrequently asked questions
Can I charge 50% for a late cancellation?
That is an example, not a general rule. Put the condition in your booking and confirmation in advance so the client knows.
What does a €20 deposit cost with Salonnare?
The transaction fee is 0.5% with a minimum of €0.30. At €20 the minimum applies, so €0.30. You receive €19.70.