Keep cutting. We'll get the phone.
You've got foils in, the hairdryer's going, and the phone is buzzing on the counter again. AlloPlace answers in English or French with your salon's name, handles the usual questions, and books the clients who want a time.
The calls you get
Most of them are short. "Can I get in today?" "How much is a men's cut?" "Do you do colour on Saturdays?" "Are you open on the holiday Monday?" Then there's the regular who wants to move Thursday to Friday, the parent trying to fit three kids' cuts in before school starts, and the person who only wants to know where to park. None of it is hard. It just never comes at a good time.
What it does for you
Books into Google Calendar. If your chair's schedule lives in Google Calendar, it offers open times and books the length you set for each service. A beard trim doesn't take the same slot as a full colour.
Answers from your price list. Cuts, colour, blowouts, beard work, kids' cuts. You write the prices and notes once. If someone asks about something you left out, it says it doesn't know and takes their number.
Moves appointments safely. Before it changes or cancels a booking, it texts a one-time code to the number on that booking. Nobody cancels your 2 p.m. by mistake.
Leaves the big conversations to you. A colour correction or a wedding party usually needs you. It takes a proper message, or puts the caller through when you've said you're free.
Sends a reminder. If the client agrees on the call, they get a text about a day before.
A typical call
It's Saturday morning at a barbershop in Verdun. Both chairs are full and two people are waiting on the bench. A caller asks in French if there's anything this afternoon for a cut and a beard trim. AlloPlace checks the calendar, offers 3:15 or 4:00, and books 4:00 under his name. He gets a confirmation text. Nobody put down the clippers.
TBD: replace with a real call once a customer agrees.
Rules you might write
- "If someone asks about colour correction, don't book it. Take a message and say I'll call back to set up a consultation."
- "Walk-ins are fine on weekdays. Saturdays are by appointment only."
- "Don't book anything after 5:30 on Fridays."
- "If it's a supplier or a sales call, take a message. Don't put them through."
Good to know
- Calendar or software: AlloPlace books into Google Calendar only. If your bookings live in Vagaro, Fresha, Square Appointments or Booksy, it can't see or book into them. It can still answer calls, answer questions, take messages and tell callers how to book online. It fits best if you're on Google Calendar, or if what you really need is a phone that gets answered. Otherwise, talk to us first.
- French: callers can switch languages partway through and it follows. More on that
- Payments: it doesn't take deposits or card numbers over the phone.
What it costs
Starter is US$30 a month (about CA$43) for 150 minutes and 20 transfers. Calls under 10 seconds and spam aren't billed. You can try it first with free test calls from your browser, no card needed. Full pricing