Should I Charge for No-Shows and Late Cancellations?

Every stylist has to deal with no-shows and late cancellations for scheduled appointments. The average beauty professional faces one to two no-shows a week — adding up to nearly $5,000 missed income each year. Unfortunately, many professionals are afraid to hold their clients accountable with a no-show fee. Your clients expect you to show up on time — shouldn’t you expect the same from them? Learn how to set up No-Show/Late-Cancellation protection and Deposits that save you time and money.

Good Clients Value Your Time

When clients book an appointment, they’re not just reserving a slot but purchasing your valuable time—clients who fail to honor their bookings waste that time and impact your business. Mistakes happen, but let’s be honest: clients who are consistently late or no-show are hurting your business, and implementing a no-show fee and requiring a deposit when booking is essential for protecting your time and building your brand’s reputation. Clients need to understand the value of your time. Keep reading to discover how to create a clear cancellation policy and no-show fee that works for your business.

No-Show Fees Are an Industry Standard

If you’re worried that a no-show fee or late cancellation policy will come across as extreme, don’t worry. Nearly 80 percent of stylists charge no-show fees for late clients who surpass the cancellation window — meaning your clients likely face the same fees as every other beauty professional they see if they miss their appointment slot. Your cancellation policy incentivizes your clients to show up promptly, respect your schedule, honor your boundaries, and (most importantly) ensure you get paid.

Deposits Can Protect Your Time & Revenue

Requiring a deposit when booking an appointment is also a way to protect your time and money. It ensures clients are serious about committing to their appointments, reducing the chances of last-minute cancellations or no-shows that can cost you valuable time and income. Deposits create accountability, so clients are more likely to show up or reschedule within your policy’s guidelines when they have something on the line. This simple practice not only safeguards your business financially but also helps set the tone for professionalism and mutual respect between you and your clients.

How to Turn On Deposits

1. Click on Payments & Policies
2. Select Deposits
3. Under Require Deposits, you can toggle the feature ON or OFF.
4. Next, you’ll want to choose the percentage or dollar amount to request as a Deposit.

Enforce a No-Show Fee & Late Cancellation Policy

Start charging a no-show fee for clients who arrive late to appointments, cancel at the last minute, and don’t show up with StyleSeat’s NSLC (No-Show Late Cancellation) billing tool. Putting a guideline in place acts as insurance for your time and money and incentivizes clients to make their appointments. StyleSeat notifies clients of your cancellation policy by automatically displaying your guidelines on your profile and including them in appointment reminder emails.

How to Create a No-Show Fee & Late Cancellation Policy

1. Navigate to the More Tab and select Payments & No-Show Protection.
2. Here, you can choose how strict you would like your cancellation policy to be (flexible, moderate, or strict).
3. For example, if you select a flexible 50 percent no-show fee, and your client doesn’t show up for their $50 appointment, they will be charged $25 according to your cancellation policy.
4. Once enabled, clients must enter a credit card when they book an appointment.
5. If a client cancels within 24 hours of the appointment, they will be charged your Late Cancellation fee. If the client is a no-show, you can charge your no-show fee.

Pro Tip: Get double the protection by implementing both Deposits and a No-Show Late-Cancelation policy to work seamlessly together

You’re in complete control of your cancellation policy. If a loyal client who’s always on time cancels at the last minute, you can choose to waive the fee. First-time client gets lost and misses their appointment? You’ve got the flexibility to overlook the penalty. No-show fees and late cancellation policies help protect your time, grow your business, and nurture healthy client relationships. How you enforce them is entirely up to you.