How do you handle "no show" clients?

I have had some problems with this. Since I work by myself and work on-location, the cars generally take the entire day to do, so a cancellation is a major problem without a couple days notice. I often times cannot fill the day after the person cancels, so I loose the entire day's work. When they give me a week or so notice, there is no problem. I can find someone else. But I've had a number of 'oops I need to use the car TOMORROW' so you can't come and work on it, calls. It is too late to find someone else by that time!! I once had a lady TEXT MESSAGE (not even bother to call!) me while I on my way to the job to cancel!!!! I had trouble restraining myself from not calling her and yelling..... but I did end up getting to do her car like 2 weeks later.
 
i do one-2 cars a day so a no show is not easy for me.....

happen only once and i end up doing paper work at home and focus on some marketing and online shopping
 
Communication is key. Don't wait til the day of or before to confirm. Because I'm usually booked 3-5 weeks in advance, I send reminders 1 week prior >>> 3 days >>> day before >> day of. I usually ask clients what the best way to communicate with them is and go from there.



On a side note, It can be done, but it's tough to get a deposit from some people. Especially a non-refundable one.
 
I have had the opposite happen... I have had to cancel a detail due to being held over at the firehouse on overtime or being called in for an incident. If that happens, I call the client and explain the circumstances.



I call my clients the night before to make sure that we are still on schedule for the detail.
 
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