Local Barbers Refuse To Stop Taking Walk Ins In 2021. What They Did Was Inevitable
The Californer/10122095

HAYWARD, Calif. - Californer -- The 2020 shut down left Downtown Hayward shop MGX Barbers scrambling for a way to accept walk ins. Regulations left waiting areas of shops and salons doomed with a new normal of emptiness. People can no longer pop up and wait. Walk in traffic is a major part of the barbershop and for some it accounts for 100% of revenue and suddenly it's gone.

MGX refused to give up walk ins and looked for ways to keep them flowing.  A sign up sheet required people to touch a pen and paper which is touched by other clients so in an effort to reduce points of contact they kept on brainstorming. They wanted something easy so clients didn't have to come to the shop just to check in, leave and possibly not come back.

A call in system disrupts clients who are receiving haircuts and a receptionist is out of the cards due to the newfound hole in their budget. So they resorted to technology.

They were using the Busystyle app to schedule their appointments and it included a walk in feature they never considered due to the old 'if ain't broke don't fix it' mind set. But now it makes sense.

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They can show wait times. They can turn it on and off. Clients can join the list from their phones and get a text letting them know their place in line and the estimated wait.

Clients don't have to come to the shop until it's their turn which makes social distancing a breeze. They can wait at a park or at home and when things get back to normal they can wait at a local coffee shop or have a beer at the pub.

The barbers can notify clients when their turn is approaching so they can come to the shop. The list is updated by crossing off the client at the top. This was the ultimate solution and all they had to do was activate the walk in switch on their busystyle app and boom… The virtual walk in system is live for 2021.

DISCLAIMER: You aren't guaranteed to be seen if you're on the list because they prioritize appointments. But it's not all bad since you didn't have to leave your house to join the list. You could always try again tomorrow or make an appointment if you really need a haircut for something like a wedding or interview.

MGX predicts this is the future of walk ins and will keep this system even after things get back to normal because it provides a better experience for clients.

To learn more, find them on Google: https://g.page/mgxbarbers?gm

MGX Barbers
934 A St Hayward, Ca 94541
(510) 398-8375