Hairdressers, tattoo artists, physiotherapists: the headache of cancellations has started once more for professionals who work with appointments because of the increase in COVID-19 cases.
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“What’s really boring is that it’s often at the last minute [que les gens apprennent qu’ils sont positifs ou cas contact]so even if we have a waiting list, we can’t fill the hole of the canceled appointment,” laments Alexandre Anctil, co-owner of the Brossés hair salon in Montreal.
Since the start of the pandemic, it’s been the same thing for professionals who offer services by appointment. With each new wave of contamination, cancellations follow one another at the same rate as the rise in cases.
But for some time, the problem intensifies, explain some professionals. The phenomenon is also widespread in Quebec, according to Janie Pierre, of Studio Tattoo Shack.
“In one week, we had regarding ten appointments canceled and two of our tattoo artists had COVID. Fortunately, we still have a lot of people who call us and allow us to fill in the gaps, ”explains the one who takes care of the reservations.
Revenue losses
When cancellations cannot be filled, it can mean hundreds of dollars in lost revenue.
“In the last three weeks, it was almost every other day that was canceled. Fortunately, we ask for deposits, so it cushions the losses a little, but it never covers a day’s work, ”explains Paul Vernaudon, tattoo artist at Studio Zen Tattoo, in Laval.
“A deposit of $200 doesn’t compensate for the 20 hours of work done for a design,” adds Jean-François Trudel, owner of Studio Zen Tattoo.
On the side of the Stadium Physi-Osteo clinic, in Montreal and Longueuil, it is feared that the sixth wave of contamination will increase this phenomenon, which has been particularly present since January.
“Of course it has a financial impact on the clinic, but also on the employees who sometimes finish earlier and therefore work fewer hours,” says Anaëlle Beaulieu, operations coordinator.
The same goes for hair salons, where stylists rent their work chairs.
“If the client doesn’t come, the hairdresser loses money,” adds Alexandre Anctil.
Not just COVID
The pandemic is not the only one responsible for the many last-minute cancellations, deplores Feliccio Rousseau, owner of the Lamèche salon in Montreal.
“Since we were able to reopen, people are now calling several salons to make an appointment and they only show up to the one who suits them, but without telling the others,” he says.
