Cancellation Policy FAQ

Q: What cancellation policies can I choose from?

A: When listing a chair, you can choose from three policies:

• Flexible - Full refund if cancelled 24+ hours before booking
• Moderate - 50% refund if cancelled 48+ hours before booking
• Strict - Full refund only if cancelled 7+ days before booking

Q: Which policy should I choose?

A: Consider these factors:

• Flexible - Best for filling last-minute openings. Attracts more barbers but gives you less protection from cancellations
• Moderate (Default) - Balanced approach. Protects you from last-minute cancellations while still being fair to barbers
• Strict - Maximum protection. Best for high-demand chairs or if you need advance notice for planning

💡 Tip: Most shop owners start with Moderate and adjust based on their experience.

Q: What happens if a barber cancels outside the policy window?

A: The barber receives no refund. For example:

• Flexible policy: Cancel less than 24 hours before = no refund
• Moderate policy: Cancel less than 48 hours before = no refund
• Strict policy: Cancel less than 7 days before = no refund

Q: Do I still get paid if a barber cancels and gets no refund?

A: No. When a barber cancels, any non-refundable portion goes back to TheBoothSpace (the platform keeps it), not to you. The cancellation policy protects the platform and discourages last-minute cancellations, but doesn't directly pay you for the cancellation.

Q: Will I be notified when someone cancels?

A: Yes! You'll receive:

• In-app notification
• SMS notification (if you have SMS enabled in your preferences)
• Email notification with cancellation details

Q: Does a stricter policy affect my booking rates?

A: Potentially. Barbers can see your cancellation policy before they book. A stricter policy might make some barbers hesitant, especially for bookings far in advance. However, for high-demand locations, a strict policy often has minimal impact.

💡 Best practice: Display your policy clearly and consider your market demand when choosing.

Q: Where can I see the cancellation policy before booking?

A: The cancellation policy is displayed prominently on the chair detail page in a yellow highlighted section, right before you make a booking. It clearly shows the policy type, refund terms, and deadlines.

⚠️ Always read the policy before booking!

Q: What if I need to cancel my booking?

A: You can cancel through your bookings page. Your refund depends on:

1. The chair's cancellation policy (Flexible/Moderate/Strict)
2. How far in advance you cancel

The system will show you the refund amount before you confirm the cancellation.

Q: How long does it take to get my refund?

A: Refunds are processed immediately through Stripe and typically appear in your account within:

• Credit/Debit card: 5-10 business days
• Bank account: 3-5 business days

The timing depends on your bank/card issuer.

Q: Can I get a refund if the shop owner cancels on me?

A: Yes! If the shop owner cancels, you receive a refund based on the same policy timelines. Even if the shop cancels last-minute, you still get the refund you're entitled to based on the timing.

Q: What if I have an emergency?

A: Cancellation policies apply to all cancellations, regardless of reason. However:

• Contact TheBoothSpace support for exceptional circumstances
• Provide documentation if possible (medical emergency, etc.)
• Support may be able to work with the shop owner on a case-by-case basis

Note: Refunds outside the policy are not guaranteed and depend on shop owner agreement.

Q: How do I choose chairs based on cancellation policy?

A: When browsing chairs, consider your schedule certainty:

• Certain plans? Any policy works
• Tentative? Look for Flexible or Moderate
• Booking far ahead? Strict policy is okay (7 days to cancel)

Q: Who processes the refund?

A: TheBoothSpace automatically processes refunds through Stripe when a cancellation is requested. You don't need to do anything - the system calculates and issues the refund instantly.

Q: Can policies be changed after a booking is made?

A: No. Once a booking is made, the cancellation policy in effect at the time of booking applies. Shop owners can't change it retroactively, and the policy protects both parties.

Q: Are there any fees for cancelling?

A: No additional fees. You simply receive the refund amount based on the policy:

• Flexible: 0% or 100%
• Moderate: 0% or 50%
• Strict: 0% or 100%