Polite notice to clients

[Emily Case]

Hi all,

Some of you may remember me starting a thread not so long ago about my sign on my door so that clients wouldn't arrive early, interrupting appointments, cleaning and breaks. However... I'm getting all sorts of excuses and they're STILL arriving early. We are a home salon so don't have a waiting area and I can't leave a client alone to answer the door. They also knock sometimes which can't be heard unless you're in the hall.

I need to make a new sign anyway as our business name has changed, so I wanted your opinion on the following:

"Welcome to Ladywell Nail & Skincare Specialists.

Please avoid arriving early for your appointment as it may interrupt other treatments. Ring the doorbell at your appointment time when we will be free to welcome you!

Thank you for your cooperation."

I'm hoping it's polite and to the point - what do you think? Any suggestions welcome.

Xxx

 

[BannerPenguin]

It sounds fine to me
Direct, to the point, but not rude.
Just make sure placed in plain view and it's bright to be seen.

 

[Emily Case]

It sounds fine to me
Direct, to the point, but not rude.
Just make sure placed in plain view and it's bright to be seen.

Thank you!

It will be on the front door (at eye level) painted silver and purple. No excuses

Xxx

 

[FlawlessBeauty]

Sounds good. I have one that says unfortunately I'm unable to accommodate you before your appointment time as I'm with another client but please be patient and I will be with you as soon as possible xx

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[ch-ela]

Have you got a seat or a bench outside where they can sit if they are early?

Instead of telling them NOT to arrive early, I would give them instructions of what to do IF they arrive early. Along the lines of

"thank you for being on time for your appointment. Should you arrive early, please take a seat on the bench/wait in your car/go for a walk/smell the roses in my garden and we will collect you as soon as we are free (able to)"

 

[nicole333]

I thought your sign you posted a little while back was fine, but you do get those clients that think things don't apply to them don't you! Maybe they need to learn to wait, so I wouldn't leave an existing client to answer the door if they were early, I would actually make them wait. If they said something negative about waiting until their appointment time, I would show and explain the reason for the sign.

 

[Emily Case]

I thought your sign you posted a little while back was fine, but you do get those clients that think things don't apply to them don't you! Maybe they need to learn to wait, so I wouldn't leave an existing client to answer the door if they were early, I would actually make them wait. If they said something negative about waiting until their appointment time, I would show and explain the reason for the sign.

I thought the sign was fine too but clearly not! Lol. I do usually leave them but there are some that keep ringing the doorbell and phoning me! In the end I get so frustrated I just let them in. People can be so rude

Xxx

 

[Emily Case]

Have you got a seat or a bench outside where they can sit if they are early?

Instead of telling them NOT to arrive early, I would give them instructions of what to do IF they arrive early. Along the lines of

"thank you for being on time for your appointment. Should you arrive early, please take a seat on the bench/wait in your car/go for a walk/smell the roses in my garden and we will collect you as soon as we are free (able to)"

I like this. I haven't got a bench - but if i did, what if it's bad weather? I don't think it's polite to ask someone to wait in their car, it might put some of my customers off what a dilemma!

Xxx

 

[mm29]

I would be honest with all your regulars at their next appointment and type up a wee newsletter about Xmas bookings, new retail items and your re branding and politely state you cannot answer the door until app time as your really busy and every client will receive 100% attention, let them know the predicament your in, and just pop up a new sign to remind

 

[nicole333]

I thought the sign was fine too but clearly not! Lol. I do usually leave them but there are some that keep ringing the doorbell and phoning me! In the end I get so frustrated I just let them in. People can be so rude

Xxx

Some people really like to push it don't they?! Maybe you need to be a little firmer with them once you have them sat down having the treatment and explain why you need them to wait. Failing that, phone on silent and battery out of the doorbell until you are ready!

 

[sallyyummymummy]

I go to a girl who is based at home to get my lashes done and if I'm early I think its perfectly reasonable to wait in my car. I wouldn"t dream of ringing her or knocking on her door until she answered! Probably because I'm a therapist as well though. I think the notice you have is perfectly acceptable, polite & to the point. Xx

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[Sassy2013]

I know you shouldn't have to do this, but if it persists, how about booking your clients with 5-10 minute intervals? I know that this isn't cost effective, and clients should pay attention to signs / rules etc.

Just a suggestion x

 

[skingeek78]

I know you shouldn't have to do this, but if it persists, how about booking your clients with 5-10 minute intervals? I know that this isn't cost effective, and clients should pay attention to signs / rules etc.

Just a suggestion x

I would do this, I have always worked with interval between clients to allow organisation, calm (ish) and set up, having said that, you always risk to get it messed with by someone arriving late and then your timing for the day is out, or a treatment taking slightly longer, those who turn up early regardless. I would definitely make sure that a confirmation text is sent for appointments with a polite reminder of your policy. Hope you sort it x

 

[Emily Case]

I know you shouldn't have to do this, but if it persists, how about booking your clients with 5-10 minute intervals? I know that this isn't cost effective, and clients should pay attention to signs / rules etc.

Just a suggestion x

I would do Hun but it's not that easy, I do a lot of hand painted nail art and although I try to leave 15 minutes, if the client turns up more than 10 mins early it can quite often mean I'm still working... Some designs prove harder than expected

Xxx