We get customers who will book an appointment and when they get off the phone, they still call around booking other shops who may come faster or cheaper, next thing you know you’re getting a cancellation call.
This gets expensive as sometimes we aren’t able to fill the slot that could have been offered to someone else.
Should we ask for a card over The phone?
Asking for a card over the phone will drastically reduce your bookings and probably isn’t worth it. Cancellations are a royal pain in the ass and a part of life. It feels so disrespectful of your time.
Warn people about your cancellation policy at the end of the booking call with something like “Please give us 24 hours notice to change this appointment and avoid a $50 cancellation fee.” And then send a text message reminder at the 24 hr mark re-iterating that message. Note, you cannot collect on these $50 cancellation fees but it serves as a deterrent.
Ultimately your biggest tool for avoiding cancellations is offering quick service which is easier said than done.