Does it know our service menu and timing?
Yes, because you teach it. During setup we load your full service menu: cuts, color, treatments, how long each one really takes, and which stylist does what best. When a caller asks how long a full highlight takes or whether a treatment can be added to a cut, the receptionist answers from your menu, not a guess. If a service needs a consultation first, it says so and books the consultation instead of guessing.
Can it book into the software we already use?
It books into the calendar your salon already runs on, provided your software exposes availability and booking access. During setup we verify what yours allows: real availability checks, holds with consultation notes attached, confirmations back to the book. Where the software is closed, we define a handoff your front desk already trusts, so nothing falls through and the day still looks the way it always has.
What if a client only wants their usual stylist?
That is the most common request and it is handled first. The receptionist asks who they usually see, checks that stylist's book, and offers their real openings. If their stylist is fully booked for weeks, it says so honestly and offers the waitlist or a trusted teammate for sooner, but it never pushes a client to someone new without asking. Regulars keep their stylist; new clients get matched to the right chair.
How does the waitlist actually work?
When a client asks for a day that is full, the receptionist adds them to the waitlist with their service, preferred stylist, and how much notice they need. The moment a matching appointment cancels, the first person on the list gets a text with a short claim window. If they pass or time out, the offer moves down the list automatically. Your front desk sees every offer and every claim, so nothing happens behind your back.
Will our regulars feel like they got a robot?
The receptionist uses your salon's greeting, your service names, and the script you approved, so it sounds like your front desk on a good day. It never pretends to be a specific person. Regulars mostly notice that someone finally picks up on Saturdays. And any caller can always ask for a human callback, which the system schedules instead of dropping them.
Can it take a deposit for long color appointments?
Yes. For services where your policy requires a deposit, like multi-hour color appointments, the receptionist explains the policy in your words and sends the client your existing deposit link to complete the booking. Where your payment setup reports payment status back, the appointment confirms automatically once the deposit lands; where it does not, your front desk confirms it the way they do today. We verify which one you have during setup, so the flow matches your actual tools. No new payment system, just your current link sent at the right moment.