Insights

How Solo Members Handle Their Cancellations

๐Ÿ“‰ The Real Cost of No-Shows

We all know last-minute cancellations are frustrating. But just how much do they cost you?

Letโ€™s break it down:

  • 1 in 5 appointments is either missed or cancelled with little notice in the beauty industry โ€” a staggering 20% no-show rate

  • The average booking value in the UK sits between ยฃ40โ€“ยฃ60

  • Missing just three appointments per week can cost you ยฃ150โ€“ยฃ180 weekly, or ยฃ600โ€“ยฃ700 per month

  • That adds up to over ยฃ7,000 in lost revenue per year โ€” and that's without factoring in the opportunity cost of other clients you could have seen

๐Ÿ’ณ Why a Cancellation Policy Matters

Having a clear policy isnโ€™t about being harsh โ€” itโ€™s about protecting your time, income, and peace of mind.

Hereโ€™s what a solid cancellation policy can do:

  • โœ… Reduce no-shows by up to 65%

  • โœ… Help clients take your time seriously

  • โœ… Make your income more stable and predictable

  • โœ… Prevent last-minute gaps that are hard to fill

๐Ÿ’ฌ What Solo Pros Had to Say

We asked the Solo community how they felt about cancellation policies. Hereโ€™s what they told us:

โ€œYou have to cover yourself when it comes to bills. People who respect you wonโ€™t second guess paying a deposit.โ€
โ€” Elise, Elise Cedar Nails

โ€œThis is your livelihood. People need to respect you the same way they would a salon or hotel.โ€
โ€” Tessa, Glow and Grace

โ€œYou donโ€™t see train companies or hotels refunding last-minute. Why should the beauty industry be different?โ€
โ€” Mandy, Aiyana Beauty

๐Ÿ‘ฅ What the Data Shows from Solo Members

  • 88% of pros now have a cancellation policy in place

  • 73% take deposits at the time of booking

  • 50% have had to enforce their policy at least once

Real-world examples:

โ€œI take 100% at the time of booking. It prevents no-shows and removes the awkwardness around paying after the treatment.โ€
โ€” Joanna, The Skin Space

โ€œA 30% deposit puts clients in the mindset that theyโ€™ve already spent it. Missing the appointment feels like wasting money.โ€
โ€” Beth, EMB Aesthetics

โ€œA client arrived late โ€” I kept the ยฃ15 deposit. With a clear policy, everyone understands the rules.โ€
โ€” Sarah, The Locs Smith Ltd

๐Ÿ”’ How to Enforce Your Cancellation Policy (Without the Stress)

  • Clearly display your policy on your Solo booking page

  • Send automated reminders that include your cancellation terms

  • Stick to your boundaries โ€” consistently and professionally

โ€œItโ€™s empowering to keep to your boundaries. Your business will thank you.โ€
โ€” Amy, Amy H Manicurist

Ready to Set Up or Update Your Policy?

You can add deposits, create auto-reminders, and update your cancellation terms right inside your Solo account โ€” it only takes a few minutes to protect your schedule and your income.

Need help setting it up? Message us anytime โ€” weโ€™re here to support you ๐Ÿ’›