Automatic cancellation recovery
The common flow runs without staff intervention. A cancellation can turn into a confirmed booking while the team keeps working.
Cancellations & demand
Turn a full diary into a fuller one.
When a preferred time is already booked, customers join the waitlist. When a slot frees up, Setora notifies them and holds it for a set time.
- Join when full
- Automatic notifications
- Time-limited holds
- Dashboard control
Ciara MossSkin Fade · any time after 2pmNOTIFIED · 12m left
Finn ReillyCut & Beard · JakeBOOKED
Priya ShahTrim · morning onlyWAITING
Marcus BellSkin Fade · flexibleWAITING
How it works
Cancellations do not have to mean an empty chair.
- 01
Customer joins the waitlist
When a preferred time is full, the customer joins the waitlist with their service, contact details and preferred window.
- 02
A slot opens up
When a cancellation creates an opening, Setora notifies the next customer by email, SMS or both, respecting your notice rules.
- 03
Booking confirmed
The slot is held for a set time. If the customer confirms, it becomes a normal booking. If not, the hold expires.
Rules that protect the day
Set minimum notice periods and hold lengths so customers are not pinged about times they cannot realistically take.
Manual control when needed
The dashboard still lets staff search, filter, notify manually and convert entries when they want to handle a gap themselves.
Management dashboard
Automatic when it should be. Manual when you need it.
Configurable notifications
Choose whether customers are notified by email, SMS or both when a slot opens up.
Minimum notice periods
Set how far in advance a slot must be to trigger a waitlist notification. No pinging customers about a slot that starts in 10 minutes.
Time-limited holds
Each notification gives the customer a window to confirm. If they do not respond, the slot moves to the next person automatically.
Automatic expiry
Waitlist entries expire after a period you choose, keeping the queue fresh and relevant.
Filter, search and notify
View every entry, filter by status, service or staff member, search by customer name and send a manual notification when needed.
Learn the waitlist mechanics
For the operational playbook, read our barbershop waitlist guide.
Questions
Good to know.
The questions shop owners ask us most about this.
How does a barbershop waitlist work?
When a preferred slot is full, customers join the waitlist with their name, contact details and service preference. When a cancellation creates an opening, Setora automatically notifies the next person on the waitlist by email or SMS with a time-limited hold on the slot. If they confirm, the booking is made automatically with no staff involvement.
Can customers be automatically notified when a waitlist slot opens?
Yes. Setora sends automatic notifications by email, SMS or both when a cancellation creates an opening. Each notification includes a time-limited hold you choose. If the first person does not respond in time, the next person in the queue is notified automatically.
How long do waitlist entries last?
Waitlist entries expire after a period you choose, keeping your queue fresh and relevant. You can set the expiry duration in your Setora settings to match your shop's needs.
Can I manually manage the waitlist from the dashboard?
Yes. The Setora management dashboard lets you view all waitlist entries, filter by status, service or staff member, search by customer name, send manual notifications, and convert entries to confirmed bookings in one click.