How salons and barbershops can stop missing booking calls
When your hands are in someone’s hair, you can’t answer the phone. An AI receptionist can answer for you, answer the caller’s questions and book the appointment, so you finish the cut without losing the next client.
Why salons miss so many calls
- Stylists and barbers are with a client almost all day.
- The phone rings most when you’re busiest: lunch, after work and Saturdays.
- Small shops often have no front desk at all.
- Calls before opening and after closing go to voicemail.
What callers usually want
- “Do you have anything open today?”
- “How much is a fade / a color / a trim?”
- “Do you take walk-ins?”
- “What time do you close on Saturday?”
- “I need to move my appointment.”
Most of these have the same answer every time. That’s exactly what an AI receptionist is good at.
What an AI receptionist does on the call
- Answers with your salon’s name and the greeting you choose.
- Answers questions about services, prices and hours from your website and the answers you add.
- Checks your calendar and books the appointment during the call (Maurie AI: Google Calendar, Starter plan and up).
- Answers several callers at the same time, so no one gets a busy signal.
- Transfers the call to you during your hours when a caller asks for a person.
- Saves every call with a recording, a transcript and a summary, and adds the caller to your contacts.
How to set it up
- Create a free Maurie AI account and add your website so it learns your services and prices.
- Add the questions your callers ask most, with your answers.
- Connect Google Calendar and set your booking hours.
- Pick a new local number, or forward your salon’s number (how to forward calls).
- Make a test call from your browser with the 10 free test minutes.
What it costs
From $49 a month for 100 minutes, on any Maurie AI plan. Booking into Google Calendar needs Starter ($49 a month billed yearly, $59 monthly) or above. See How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Common questions
Will my regulars mind?
It answers in your salon’s name, and anyone who wants you can be transferred during your hours.
Can it answer questions only, and leave booking to me?
Yes. If you don’t connect a calendar, it answers questions and takes a message instead of booking.
What if I only want it when I’m busy?
Set it to answer only the calls you miss, or only after hours.