Appointments or Not

[Tamar]

As a salon owner, just curious how everyone feels about appointments vs walk in sessions.
What does your salon do? Are they efficient with their appointment system? Would you prefer they switched from one to the other?

[nikptbo]

my salon is no appointment and i like it that way.. i just walk in whenever i have time

[Kristygal]

Mine doesn't take appointments and I prefer it that way. I think it would be easier on the salon owner too.

[nikptbo]

yes it does definatley seem easier, that way they dont have to have someone man the phones booking appointments

[RayP]

mine does both. but right before prom it gets crowded. now that its after prom i dont bother

[nikptbo]

maybe during summer go no appts and then in the busy season do both...

[boobrandt]

I would prefer having the option either way. I like to have appointments for the hp beds, because when I get the bee for a big bed, I don't want to settle for anything less. But it is also nice to drop in when you just get in the mood. To me, the ideal is to have both. I'm a very dedicated tanner, and I do NOT miss appointments!

[nikptbo]

lol, im sure there are alot of people that do though and that would hold up how many ppl they could have tanning for a day, esp if they have to wait for the person to show..

[boobrandt]

I agree with you nik, so if you have both options, the person who is late loses their turn if they are late and don't call. The very few times I have run a couple of minutes late it was due to traffic and the salon didn't mind.

[Spice]

we only take walk-ins and i think it works out well because there is rarely a wait, and if there is a wait its only a couple minutes... this way if someone is out doing something and finds they ahve extra time they can just stop in and tan.

[nikptbo]

thats exactly what i enjoy about my salon

[boobrandt]

Maybe they could have appointments only for those who buy packages! Would that work?

[nikptbo]

or have a couple beds for appts only...

[nikptbo]

and if theres no appts then they could open the beds for appts to walkins

[BabyJem]

I work at a salon that has appointments and it gets kinda crazy trying to juggle between that and the walkins.....I personally would perfer no appointments just because then it is easier on the employees and the customers

[LavenderFleur]

I like the way my salon handles it. During busy season they take appointments. You can walk in and wait it you want. When business slows, they no longer take appointments.

[Strnghrt]

FREEEEEEEE FALLIN

[GratefulTan]

My old salon was walk in, but that got nuts during prom season and other busy times. I have waited up to an hour and a half! My new salon does appointments, but it's kind of nice to just go in and get right to tanning.

[sunbunny]

My salon does appointments, but they will also take a walk-in if they aren't too busy. But I can call at the last minute and usually get an appointment.

[colorgod]

My salon does not do appointments and I love it that way. I never know when I want to go tan.

[njchica]

My salon doesn't accept appointments and that is fine with me. I would never buy a membership at a salon that was "appointments only" or even that accepted them...

[Anya1976]

my salon does NOT do appointments and like chica i probably wouldn't tan at a salon that only does take appointments cus when going to tan i dont want to feel like i am on a schedule. i want to just walk in (maybe have to wait) tan and leave no hassle

[camarolynn73]

I use to go to aunts salon. She would let go any. sometimes 1:00 a.m. I would preferr walk-ins

[sherlynn 01]

our salon dose not take appt. I am glad it dose not i liketo tan when i want,not when some body else wants me too.

[BrownJen]

My salon does both appointments and walkins. I prefer making appointments. The nice thing about appointments is that I will defintely be able to tan and don't have to wait for a bed to become available.

[prolineceo]

I always make appointments in advance..(week to week) My new salon will actually make me an appointment for the exact bed I want.

[bAbY_gUrL]

My salon does both...if they have spots available when you walk in, they will let you in no problem. But if all the beds are booked, they will say sorry and not let you tan which is kind of a disappointment! They also charge you I think $4 if you miss an appointment, but I've never been in that position. I am never one to make appointments just because I don't have a car, so I never know when I can make it out there! I usually just walk in and get in most of the time without a problem...

[Tom Sederburg]

My salon does both and I always make appointments.

I like to get in and out as quickly as possible.

Later,
Tom

[Tan2Limit]

As a salon owner, it is MUCH easier on us to not have appointments. We switched about a year ago. People were worried about long waits during busy season but I think the longest wait we ever had was about 25 minutes. That is in contrast to previous years when our books would be full a week in advance and tanners would be upset because we couldn't get them in. Most of them said they would rather come in and wait a little and know they are getting in than not be able to get in all week. It saves us headaches with no shows and late-comers. We can actually get more tans in a day because there is always someone waiting to tan when a bed is empty instead of a bed sitting empty for 5 - 10 minutes waiting on the next appointment. The rest of the year there is rarely a wait. I am glad most of you like no appointments.

[Blondie41280]

I always make a appointment ahead of time just cause it sometimes gets packed in there and theres only 2 beds and 1 stand up. But I have many times just walked in b4 working out and went tanning if they were free.

[Kris]

i really like that my salon has both

[ParadiseTanStdio]

At Paradise Tanning Studio, you may make an appointment by phone, e-mail, walk in or by using Online Scheduling on our website.
http://www.paradisetanningstudio .com

[Tpsyduck]

Well, My salon Owner takes both Appoitments and walk ins, but in the peak months, it's better to make an appointment, Because she's always is Packed with Customers. Now, it's starting to slow down, so I don't even bother making apps anymore, I just walk in

[xxsunnichickixx]

My salon takes only the people who make appointments, I wish they accepted walk-ins as well.

[crazy44]

I'm a salon owner and only take walk-ins. It's much easier, people get busy and then they feel rushed or they are late and still want the full time. Which makes everyone else get behind. My customers actually thanked me for doing away with appointments.Now everyone is happy.It cuts way down on the phone ringing for makeing and cancelling appt.I can spend more time chatting with the customers that are waiting rather then being on the phone.

[Kristygal]

Quote:
On 2003-09-27 20:25, crazy44 wrote:
I'm a salon owner and only take walk-ins. It's much easier, people get busy and then they feel rushed or they are late and still want the full time. Which makes everyone else get behind. My customers actually thanked me for doing away with appointments.Now everyone is happy.It cuts way down on the phone ringing for makeing and cancelling appt.I can spend more time chatting with the customers that are waiting rather then being on the phone.

That's one of the many reasons I go to your salon!

[wildchild4u]

my salon has appointments but you dont need them

[wannatan]

My salon does both, I used to make appointments because I thought it might be busy, but not anymore, at the moment I prefer walk-ins.

[sweet summer]

i AM A SALON MANGER AND WE DONT TAKE APPT.

[lil_missfit]

We take appts and accept walk ins. I only have 6 beds and 2 standups. It would be hard to go to just walk in's I'm afraid. Anyway, I just posted a sign that says "walk ins Welcome, appts filled first". Hasn't been a problem.

[tantalizinglytan]

I don't think the salon I go to has appointments, they might though. I just usually walk in anytime I want to tan, and I usually don't have to wait. Of course i've been going there for so long I kind of have a feel for when people will be there and when they won't. I've never had to wait, even though there is only 5 beds. So its all good. =)

[Scott]

walk ins are MUCH easier, but I understand that smaller salons need to do appts. to keep people on a schedule tanning.

[dksxytan]

One salon I work at has just walk-ins and another has both, both places owned by the same person.

[firefly1202]

I make appointments because I tan during my lunch break while my daughter is at daycare... And with an appointment there is no waiting walkin in tan and off back to work...

[ladyboss]

My salon does both, I don't ever make appointments but I have a pretty set routine so she knows when to expect me and I've never had to wait.

[BronzeGlowAlicia]

No appointments here!

[SexyKitty]

I usually dont make appointments but my salon does allow them. I just walk in and usually get the bed I want beacuse I go at times its not busy.

[SassyKat]

Quote:
On 2003-06-18 02:30, sunbunny wrote:
My salon does appointments, but they will also take a walk-in if they aren't too busy. But I can call at the last minute and usually get an appointment.



Same here!

[FabutanLiz]

We have an appointment book, it gets PACKED in here between 3 and 8. During the day though, I just tell people to walk in. A lot of people appreciate the freedom to drop in as they please. We also keep track of how many clients we've seen throughout the day, and the appointment book helps with that.

[BrownJen]

anybody else?

[Genie]

The salon I go to stopped taking appt.'s like three years ago.

[BronzeBodyBoy]

We have to take appointments...how would you just take walk ins? Isn't that crazy all day? I think it's way much better to take appointments. We do walkins too, but only when we have a space open for someone...I know it sounds mean, but when you've just tanned like 200 people, and your about to get off your shift, it always makes my day when someone comes in, and says, "You got any beds open?" And I'm like, "NO. It's busy season now, let's make an appointment."

[summergirl]

mines does both. today i walked in and had to wait 7 mins but it wasnt a problem, i talked to the girl working there and the lady waiting w/ me lol

[x0bodyshotx0]

I feel better with walkins

[volboi85]

We do both at my salon, and the only time there are problems are right after high school lets out around prom time and then around 6 and 7... most people who do not book appointments have to wait a while...

[skinnybronze]

I like walk-ins.

[ohiogirl]

I guess it would depend how big the salon is whether I'd like appointments or not. THe one I go to now is pretty big about 35-40 beds (base, ultra, and mega) so even during busy times it's not more then a 20 minute wait. Even for upgrades you may have 1 or 2 people ahead of you (especially for Mist on tan or stand up -only 1 of each). If I want to get in quickly I also try to just go in the day before or after classes when all the HS kids are at school and alot of people are working. I guess if it were a small salon, appointments might be nice since you can't move everyone through as quickly so the wait may be alot longer. Maybe something like take appointments preferably but accept walkins, but give priority to appointment holders if you get behind schedule.

[tanningobsessed]

My salon is by first come first serve which I like. But.. I wish HP beds/booths were by appointment.

[Coppertone]

Quote:
On 2004-05-30 20:17, ohiogirl wrote:
I guess it would depend how big the salon is whether I'd like appointments or not. THe one I go to now is pretty big about 35-40 beds (base, ultra, and mega) so even during busy times it's not more then a 20 minute wait. Even for upgrades you may have 1 or 2 people ahead of you (especially for Mist on tan or stand up -only 1 of each). If I want to get in quickly I also try to just go in the day before or after classes when all the HS kids are at school and alot of people are working. I guess if it were a small salon, appointments might be nice since you can't move everyone through as quickly so the wait may be alot longer. Maybe something like take appointments preferably but accept walkins, but give priority to appointment holders if you get behind schedule.


Well said and exactly right. We just opened up 2 months ago. I only have 2 base beds going at the present time, but hubby is adding 2 more rooms as I post. We eventually can go to a max of 5 which one will have to be a stand up. We live a small village, note not town, so there is no need for the mega salons. Not that I wouldn't mind owning one in the future. Anyways back to the post.

We do appointments only, but gladly will accept walk-ins which are few at the current time as most people are aware of us doing appointments. Once we get 2 more beds in I do plan on still keeping appointments but it will help with promoting walk-in traffic. It all depends on your population, client base and how many beds you have whether or not to do appointments, walk-ins or both. I say the more beds the easier walk-in's are.[ This Message was edited by: Coppertone on 2004-05-31 09:34 ]

[MissIceCrmBooty]

The salons in my area are all both walk-ins and appointments. I like to just walk-in. I never know what time I'll get out of class or out of bed (and go tan)! haha. I'll make an appointment if I need to be dark for a certain event and I'm short on time.