The trust dilemma:
Do service-based business owners have trust issues?
Today, let’s tackle a topic that’s been clouding reputations – the misconception that businesses who enforce booking fees or deposits have trust issues.
Spoiler alert: it’s not what you think!
Let me take you back to 2019 when I first started my business from the cosy confines of my spare bedroom. Even then, I knew the importance of booking fees. Now, they're becoming the new norm across various service-based fields.
Back in 2019, I made the decision to enforce booking fees from the get-go. Why? Because I understood the value of my time and the need to protect my business against last-minute cancellations. Little did I know that this move would soon become the standard practice in the beauty industry.
It’s not just small businesses like mine jumping on the booking fee/deposit bandwagon. Even restaurants are joining the party; have you ever had to deal with cancellation fees per head? It's becoming the new normal in the hospitality industry, and honestly, I'm all for it!
Picture this: you're booking a spa day, and the receptionist asks for a deposit. You can't help but wonder, "Do they not trust me to show up?" It's a fair question…
So, what’s behind this shift towards booking fees and deposits?
When we ask for a booking fee or deposit, it’s not because we doubt your sincerity or worry that you’ll flake on us. We genuinely believe that you’re as excited about our services as we are to provide them. But we also understand that life can be unpredictable….
From unexpected emergencies to last-minute changes in plans; That’s why we have last minute cancellation policies in place.
Now I’m no story writer! But let me write a hypothetical story or two...
One day, Sarah booked a spa day for her best friend’s birthday. She was thrilled about the surprise, but the morning of the appointment, her cat decided it was the perfect time to knock over a vase and create chaos in her living room. In the midst of the chaos, Sarah completely forgot about her spa appointment until it was too late.
Now, Sarah’s not a flake, and we certainly don’t think any less of her. Life just got in the way, as it often does.
Another one…
Once upon a time, a man named Tom booked a photography session for his family portraits. He was thrilled about capturing those precious moments, but on the day of the shoot, his car broke down. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t make it to the session.
Now, Tom’s not a flake, and we know he had every intention of being there. Life just had other plans.
Now, I'm not saying we're heartless business owners. We understand that emergencies happen, and we're not here to nickel and dime you for every last minute cancellation. That's why at KLIF Lashes & Brows we generally offer a one-time grace period for a first time cancellation – because we're human too, and we get it.
Our booking policies aren’t a reflection of our trust in you; they’re a practical necessity to protect our businesses and ensure smooth operations.
We’re not trying to cast doubt on your character – we’re simply safeguarding our time, resources, and livelihoods.
Let me explain something that might not be obvious at first glance. You see, most of the time, those booking fees and deposits don't even come close to covering the loss of income from a last-minute cancellation. Instead, they go towards wages of staff who would have been there to serve you during that time slot.
Let me be honest with you – in every case, when a cancellation happens in my business, it puts us in a pretty tough spot financially.
So the next time you come across a small business asking for a booking fee or deposit, remember – it's not about mistrust or greed. It's about supporting their staff, protecting their business, and ensuring that they can keep offering you the services you’ve grown to love.
The best way to think of booking fees or deposits is that they are kind of like a sneaky savings scheme! It comes off the total amount of the service, so on the day, it's even cheaper! Who knew booking an appointment could double as a financial strategy? 😉– it's like girl math at its finest!