Having to cancel clients appointments at short notice!?!

[Beauty2yourdoor]

Hi all,

I have had a nightmare weekend. My 16 week old son was rushed to hospital via ambulance on friday night with meningitus. He was 2 months premature so should only be 8 weeks old!:cry: He was very poorly but made a fast recovery and let out today, it was viral meningitus and not bacterial (still nightmare but thankgod!)

Sorry I'm rambling here, I'll get to the point. I had to cancel quite a few appointment with being at the hospital and although my son in my number one priority, i felt terrible for letting these people down! I have offered to do all the treatments asap and have said they can have 10% off. Do you think this is enough? What would you do in this situation.

Really sorry for the length of this but don't know how to explain it any other way.

Thanks x

 

[Nco London Gina]

Yes 10% is enough - I would expect anything if I was your customer

I hope your baby is ok

Gina xx

 

[pure]

I think thats very generous of you. I'm sure that if they know the situation they will be more than understanding. :hug:

 

[adelekeegan1]

I had a very busy week booked last week and was myself in hospital so unable to keep the appointments or talk to my clients personally.

It was all made worse by 2 people wanting manis and pedis before going on holiday and one client going to a wedding.

I have now spoken to all those who aren't away, rescheduled everyone and done a few already. I have not offered any reduction, when my hairdresser was ill I just had to see someone else and that was it.

This can happen to any of us at any time, I'd try not to worry too much, you may get one or two that are a bit difficult but then that is life.

 

[Blissful]

I have also had to cancel appointments this week because I have a mild case of Swine Flu. I feel better now but want to make sure that I am past the contagious stage. I think that most people understand if you are usually reliable and professional, and that you only cancel in extreme situations.

We are all only human after all!

 

[bombini]

Aww bless him, hope he is ok now :hug:

I wouldn't offer a discount due to the circumstances. I probably would if id had a cold or maybe a minor illness but if it was something serious like hospital visit then I wouldn't offer anything.

 

[persianista]

I would hope that the clients would be kind and understanding in such exceptional cicumstances.
I had one clients shouting at me down the phone when I was in the hospice with my dear Dad when he was dying. I explained the situation but she still expected me to come back to the salon and do her hair as she was going out and prefferred me to blow dry her hair!!!!
The selfishness and sheer self absorption of clients can take your breath away.
I hope your little one recovers and any clients that give you gyp over this are ones to avoid. x

 

[angel fingers]

situations like this cannot be helped.

i feel sure that clients will understand and as pesianista said, any that dont are not worth worrying over.

i think the reduction is kind of you and shows that you dont take their business for granted.

 

[nailzoo]

I very rarely cancel appointments, but when I do, I reverse my cancellation policy 50% first time 100% second time.
If you expect them to give you notice (then it works both ways)
So if I cancel a client (or screw it up) it give them 50% off the first time, then the next time I give it free, thats what I charge them, si I just reverse it if it's me being the villain.

 

[geeg]

This is one of the draw backs of being a sole trader.

The 10% is a nice gesture that I bet most of your clients will tip you the extra .. well I would!! :hug:

Glad to hear all is now well with your boy baby.

 

[Urban Geek]

If I felt I had really let a client down badly, I would be happy to give them an extra treatment free, ie if they were having their nails done, I would perhaps throw in a mini pedi. Alternatively, a wee goody bag x

 

[Beauty2yourdoor]

Thank you for all you helpful replies. My son 'Leith' is defo back on the road to recovery and much better. I have spoken to my clients again and they have all re-booked... Bonus! tasha xxxx