A simple no-show policy that's fair to everyone

A good no-show policy isn't about punishing people — it's about protecting time you can't get back while staying fair to the clients who do the right thing. Clear, reasonable rules, applied consistently, do more for your calendar than any threat ever will.

What a fair policy covers

• A notice window for cancelling or rescheduling — 24 or 48 hours is common — so the slot can be offered to someone else.
• A deposit taken at booking, with what happens to it spelled out: returned or applied to the appointment if they attend or cancel in time; retained for a genuine no-show.
• A little human flexibility for first-time slips and real emergencies. One forgiving exception earns far more loyalty than it costs.

Say it once, clearly, up front

The policy only works if people see it before they book — not after they've missed an appointment. Put it on your booking page in plain language, keep it short, and avoid legalese. Clients respect a rule they understood in advance.

Apply it consistently

Consistency is what makes a policy fair. Applying the same rule to everyone removes the awkward case-by-case judgement calls and means no one feels singled out.

Let the system do the work

With QZee you can take deposits at booking and send automatic reminders, so most no-shows never happen and the policy rarely has to be enforced. Show your terms on your booking page, let reminders do the nudging, and keep the deposit as the quiet backstop.