Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

How Do You Handle Walk-Ins?

This month's reader to reader offers suggestions including taking turns on walk-ins.

by Staff
August 1, 1994
2 min to read


Our salon has nine nail technicians, so normally someone will have an opening for a walk-in. You can’t accommodate walk-ins if you don’t have enough technicians available. We usually give walk-ms to the new technicians who are still building a clientele, and they take turns handling them.Trudy Dalton The Painted Lady Nail Salon Salt Lake City, Utah

We have a big hot-pink sign in front of the salon that says “Get Nailed — Walk-ins Welcome “ We’re on a main street so we get a lot of drive-by traffic. We’re usually able to seat a walk-in within an hour, Or if she can’t wait, nine times out of 10 she will make an appointment for later Our receptionist distributes walk-ins and she’s very fail Whoever has the service time available to devote to the walk-in will take her. For example, if the walk-in wants a full set, the technician with the most time available will do it. Sherri Evans Get Nailed by Sherri & Co. Yuma, Arrz.

Ad Loading...

We have an agreement among ourselves to take turns when it comes to walk-ins. If it’s my turn to take a walk-in and one comes in, for example, at 11. 40 a.m and I have a 12:00 p.m. appointment but I have a 1:00 p.m. opening, I’ll ask her if she wants to come back then. If she can’t, I’ll call my 12:00 appointment and see if she can come at 1: 00.I don’t do tins every time, just on occasion. We really try to accommodate the walk-in as best we can because if she likes the work we do, she will more than likely become a regular client. Tommye James Nail Perfection by Tommye Metairie, La.

The semor nail technician takes walk-ins, but if she’s busy, the next in seniority takes them and so on. We can usually seat walk-ins within 15 minutes or we will book them an appointment for later. Kathleen Currey K.C. Nails Lake Grove, N.Y.

I have already established a clientele, so usually my other technician, who is relatively new and still building her book, will take a walk-in. If neither one of us is available to take her, I will refer her to another salon in the area because I want to make sure she gets her nails done at a reputable salon. I network with a couple of salons and they send me their overflow as well. Corinne Johnson The Polished Look Tacoma, Wash.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Business

A row of styling stations at JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon
Business|Articles|Mar 3, 2026

Precision, Passion, and the Business of Beauty

When Bowie Lau and Jeffrey Ching opened JBW Jeffrey Ching Salon in 2011, they weren’t just launching another luxury hair destination—they were building a business rooted in passion, artistry, and thoughtful growth.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Nov 27, 2024

Prepare for Small Business Saturday® with American Express

The busy holiday season is here, and with it comes jam-packed days, last-minute client requests and booming retail sales. For many salon owners, the highlight of the season is Small Business Saturday® (SBS). This year on Saturday, November 30, consumers can take their shopping into the small businesses in their communities.

Sponsored by Amex

Ad Loading...
Business|Articles|Oct 22, 2024

Success at the Top: Thriving on Madison Ave.

Salon owner Nuri Yurt had a dream of owning a salon on New York City’s Madison Avenue. "Through perseverance, hard work and stellar customer service, he and partner John Kaygisiz founded Toka Salon in 2007.

Sponsored by Amex

Business|Articles|Sep 6, 2024

Vagaro’s New AI Features and Communication Tool Pave the Way for a More Efficient, Profitable Business

Vagaro has consistently been at the forefront of salon software technology, helping businesses be more efficient, create more effective communication, and even improve company culture. Now, Connect by Vagaro, the platform’s two-way communication capability, and Vagaro’s new generative AI tools are giving owners new opportunities to grow and expand.

Sponsored by Vagaro

Business|Articles|Aug 6, 2024

5 Things I Won't Do as a Nail Tech

This list of watch-outs from @jodydoesjels prompted us to reach out to her and learn more. We had already fallen for her hand-painted designs and now we wanted to know more about this list she created to help clients decide if she was the nail tech for them.

Ad Loading...