The Real Cost of No-Shows
Every empty appointment slot costs you money. That 9am groom that didn't show? That's $80-150 gone forever.
Here's what no-shows actually cost you each year:
| No-Shows Per Week | Average Value | Annual Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 1 per week | $85 | $4,420 |
| 2 per week | $85 | $8,840 |
| 3 per week | $85 | $13,260 |
The good news: Most no-shows aren't on purpose. People just forget. Research shows that combining reminders, deposits, and booking policies can reduce no-shows by 40-70% (Gingr, OpenTable).
Here are 5 proven strategies that work.
01. Send Reminders at the Right Time
The #1 way to prevent no-shows is simple: remind people.
But timing matters. Here's when to send reminders:
| When to Send | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| 1 week before | Lets them reschedule if needed |
| 24 hours before | The critical reminder (catches most forgetters) |
| 2 hours before | "We're ready for you" confirmation |
Pro tip: SMS works better than email. Text messages have a 98% open rate versus roughly 20% for email. A 2024 study found SMS reminders can reduce missed appointments by up to 43%.
How Petboost Helps
Petboost automations send reminders automatically via SMS and email. You set your schedule once. Reminders go out forever. No more Sunday evenings copying phone numbers.
02. Require Card Pre-Authorisation
This is the game-changer. When customers save a card and you validate it before the appointment, no-shows drop dramatically.
Why pre-auth works:
- Creates commitment ("my card is on file")
- Validates the card is real and has funds
- Makes it easy to charge cancellation fees
- Customers take bookings more seriously
Real results: Research shows guests who book with a card on file are 16% less likely to no-show, and requiring deposits can cut no-shows by up to 57%. That's thousands of dollars saved.
How Petboost Helps
Card pre-authorisation happens automatically 72 hours before appointments. If a card fails, you get an alert and can contact the customer. No more "forgot my wallet" surprises.
03. Create a Clear Cancellation Policy
You need a policy. And you need to actually enforce it.
Here's a simple policy that works:
"Cancellations less than 24 hours before your appointment may incur a 50% fee. No-shows may be charged the full amount."
Where to show your policy:
- Booking confirmation emails
- Reminder messages
- Your website
- Verbally for new customers
Reality check: Good customers respect clear policies. The ones who complain were probably going to be problem customers anyway.
How Petboost Helps
With Petboost payments, cancellation policies are shown during booking and in confirmations. If someone no-shows, you can charge their card with one click.
04. Make Rescheduling Super Easy
Sometimes people genuinely need to reschedule. Make it easy, and they'll move the appointment instead of just not showing up.
What easy rescheduling looks like:
- Self-service (no phone call needed)
- Available 24/7
- Shows real-time availability
- Instant confirmation
When customers can reschedule at 10pm on their phone, they do it. When they have to call during business hours, they don't.
How Petboost Helps
The Petboost customer portal lets customers manage their own appointments. They can reschedule, cancel, or view history anytime. You wake up to a notification, not a no-show.
05. Follow Up Fast When Someone No-Shows
When someone doesn't show, reach out within 24 hours. Not to guilt them, just to rebook.
Here's a message that works:
"Hi Sarah, we missed Bella today! Hope everything is okay. Want to reschedule? We have Thursday at 2pm available."
Most people respond apologetically and rebook right away.
For repeat no-showers, require prepayment for future bookings. Some businesses stop booking chronic offenders entirely.
Bonus: The Pre-Auth Sweet Spot
If you only do ONE thing, do pre-authorisation.
The businesses with the lowest no-show rates combine all 5 strategies. But pre-auth alone makes the biggest difference.
When a customer's card is on file and validated:
- They're more committed
- You're more protected
- Everyone shows up
The Bottom Line
No-shows aren't inevitable. Here's your action plan:
- Set up automated reminders (24 hours before is critical)
- Require cards on file with pre-authorisation
- Create a clear cancellation policy and enforce it
- Make rescheduling easy through self-service
- Follow up fast when someone misses
Most of this can be automated. Set it up once, let the system work.
Ready to Stop Losing Money to No-Shows?
Petboost automates reminders, pre-authorisation, and self-service rescheduling. Combining these strategies typically reduces no-shows by 40-70% based on industry research.
Start your free 14-day trial →
Learn more about payments and pre-authorisation or automated reminders.
