Why I stopped taking walk-ins at my grooming salon
Walk-ins felt like free money. Booked-only days turned out to earn more and feel calmer, for me and for the dogs.
In 30 seconds
- Walk-ins break up the day and upset the dogs already booked
- Booking the next groom at the till fills the diary weeks ahead
- Tell your regulars first, then put it on the door
The problem with walk-ins
A walk-in at 11 meant the 11.30 dog waited, and a nervous dog that waits is a harder groom. Some days I took three walk-ins and finished two hours late.
What changed when we went booked-only
We now book every dog’s next groom before it leaves. The diary is full three weeks ahead, and the days finish on time.
How I told customers
Nobody minded as much as I feared. Most walk-in customers became regulars once they could book.
- A text to every regular a month before
- A sign on the door with the booking link
- A space kept each Saturday for emergencies
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