Hot debate: walk-in haircut or appointment only? I had a run-in last Tuesday that made me pick a side.

I had this guy come into my shop in Cleveland around 4 PM last Tuesday, no appointment, and he sat down in my chair looking annoyed. Right away he tells me he's been to three other shops and got turned away because they were booked solid. I took him on because I had a gap, but he spent the whole 20 minute cut complaining about barbers who don't do walk-ins. Meanwhile I'm thinking about how I lost a regular client last month because I let a walk-in jump ahead of their appointment time. That interaction stuck with me because both sides have a point. Walk-ins bring in random cash and new faces, but appointments let you plan your day and keep loyal customers happy. I switched to a mostly appointment system six months ago but I still take walk-ins if I have room. What do you all do when a walk-in shows up right in the middle of a busy stretch?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant_perry1d ago

lol I can barely plan my own lunch, let alone haircut appointments.

kim.sandra1d ago

You just made me remember I have a haircut appointment tomorrow lol