Salon Cancellation Policy: What to Include and a Sample
A cancellation policy is the set of rules that says how late a client can cancel or change an appointment and what happens if they give late notice or don't show up. In a salon it protects your time: an hour canceled at the last minute almost never gets filled again. Keep it short, show it before they book and apply it the same way to everyone.
By the Citalu team
What to include
How many hours' notice a client needs to cancel or reschedule at no charge, what happens to the deposit if they give late notice, what happens if they don't show up, and how many minutes of grace you give if they arrive late. Four lines are enough.
Sample cancellation policy
"You can cancel or change your appointment at no charge up to 24 hours before. If you give less notice or don't show up, the deposit is not refunded. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, we may have to shorten your service or reschedule you." Adjust the hours and minutes to your business.
How to enforce it without losing clients
Show it before they book, not after. Repeat it in the confirmation message. And decide ahead of time when you make an exception, such as a health emergency, so you don't negotiate every case. In Citalu you write your policies on your booking page and set how many hours ahead a client can cancel on their own; with less notice, they have to message you.
How to put it into practice
- Decide how many hours' notice you need for a free cancellation.
- Write the policy in four lines.
- Show it before booking and repeat it when you confirm.
Frequently asked questions
How much notice should I require to cancel?
The most common in salons is 24 hours. For long or in-demand services, some ask for 48.
Can I charge if the client doesn't give notice?
Only if your policy said so before they booked. The simplest way is a deposit that comes off the service price and is kept if they don't show up.
Where do I post my cancellation policy?
On your booking page, on your Instagram profile and in each appointment's confirmation message.
Bring that order to your schedule
Try Citalu with your services and hours. You get 14 days free to see if it fits your business.