I'm always fascinated by all the bizarre cancellation policies that exist in our industry. Many are draconian and the source of great conflict and ill will. Rigid policies rob us of our ability to use common sense and to show compassion and grace to our clients, often times when they need it most.
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy, some studios have a 48 hour policy and there are a few with a 72 hour policy. Some studios take a credit card number at the time the appointment is booked and they charge the appointment within the timeframe of the cancellation policy. Some studios don't allow appointments on the books that are not pre-paid.
Isn't it difficult enough to find good clients who can afford the work, who have the discipline to commit to the work and who you enjoy spending time with? Do you need to establish and support policies that create discord? Do you want to work in an environment where your common sense, human kindness and discretion are set aside for the sake of the written word?
If you've got a chronic canceller on your hands, you'll know it in no time. There will be absolutely no hiding it. They'll stand out like a lousy Teaser in an advanced class. Don't worry that someone will get away with something, that you'll lose and they'll win. Any grace you show will come back to you, many times over, since our clients are our lifeline, they support us, they pay our overhead, they make us comfortable and settled and secure. Be nice to them. They're your friends. Or at least they should be.
Here we go.
You wake up sick. You get charged.
You work late. You get charged.
Your daughter has a seizure. No charge.
The delivery truck backs into your garage door, denting it so that it won't lift, you can't get your car out of the garage. No charge.
You call an hour before your appointment to say you're still not feeling well enough to come in, that you're still struggling with the cold you got last week. You get charged.
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