Look, we’ve all suffered due to COVID-19 in one way or another.
Workers have truly suffered, but so have businesses. Now with climate change causing severe weather events, things are even worse for small businesses.
So this column is a reminder about one small area in which you can inflict damage on a small business by being thoughtless.
I’m talking about making a reservation or appointment at a business and then not showing up for it.
This is a reminder that this does damage to a business, according to one small business owner who contacted me. They have operated in New Westminster for more than a decade and love their customers – at least the ones who show up.
“Some customers (especially the ones that we haven't met yet) book their appointments online,” the owner told me. ‘We do not ask for their credit card information as we have multiple notices throughout the booking process, confirmation and reminders that make our customers aware of our 24-hour cancellation protocol. We believe that when people seek us out, it's because they want to enjoy our services.
“It seems no matter how many times customers are told about our cancellation policy, some decide to not even call us when they do not, or cannot, show up for their booked appointments. As you can imagine, this is lost revenue, especially when other customers are waiting on our wait lists, or customers who are already here would like to add on or extend their services. When a customer who doesn't show up, or doesn't notify us, we are unable to provide those extra services for those who are here, because we are expecting the next customer to show up on time for their appointment that they booked with us - thus turning away potential revenue. Not to mention, those who are on our waitlists cannot be provided ample notice for the services they would like to receive.
“Small businesses like mine are potentially struggling due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, and the public feeling 'afraid' to live life normally during these unprecedented times, is real - I get it. But the bottom line is, the ultimate disrespect for our time and revenue loss when customers don't even have the courtesy to give us a quick call to say, ‘Hey, I'm sorry but I can't make my appointment," is frustrating to say the least.”
So give these New West businesses a break and show up for your appointments or reservations – or give them ample notice that you won’t be making it.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
