Where they come from
The most frequent cause is two channels writing on different registers: one booking arrives online, another enters by hand from the phone, and neither knows about the other. As long as the salon is empty, nothing happens; during peak hours, it happens regularly.
The second cause is technical and less visible: availability is shown to one person, then it is not re-checked when that person confirms. Minutes pass between viewing and saving, and in those minutes someone else may have taken the same slot.
The third concerns pending requests. If a request not yet approved does not occupy the slot, the system continues to offer it: two people take it, and one of the two will receive an embarrassing phone call.
Configurations at risk
The table compares a fragile configuration and a solid one.
| Appearance | Fragile | Solid |
|---|---|---|
| Entry channels | Multiple separate registers | A single calendar |
| Check on save | None | Re-check in the same operation |
| Pending requests | They do not occupy the slot | They occupy and expire |
| Manual entries | On a separate sheet | In the same calendar |
How to prevent them
A single calendar
Even the phone writes there.
Re-check upon saving
Availability must be verified twice.
Blocking requests
And that expire on their own.
Recovery procedure
Call immediately and two alternatives.
How to eliminate them
- Get all bookings into a single calendar.
- Verify that the system rechecks availability upon saving.
- Ensure pending requests block the slot.
The most important point is the uniqueness of the register. Even appointments made by phone must be entered into the same calendar that feeds the public page: a separate sheet «for historical clients» is the most common cause of overlap.
When a double booking happens anyway, recovery counts as much as prevention. Calling immediately, proposing two concrete alternatives, and offering something tangible resolves most cases; discovering it upon the second client's arrival, does not.
From guide to salon work
In Saloria, you can set services and durations, define salon hours, and receive bookings on your public page. The general calendar is free; separate calendars for professionals are available from the Basic plan. Appointment management. Compare updated features, quotas, and prices.
Frequently asked questions
Why do double bookings occur?
Almost always because two channels write in different registers, or because the availability shown is not re-checked at the moment of saving.
Can I keep a paper appointment calendar alongside the online one?
This is the most common cause of overlapping. If it is really needed, it must be a read-only copy, not a second register.
Should a pending request block the slot?
Yes. Otherwise, the system continues to offer it and two people can book the same time.