How should I review the appointment book of a salon before I take over?

Read the book the way a detective reads a diary. Look first at the pattern: which days are packed, which are thin, and whether the gaps are planned or accidental. A diary that is full only because the owner works six days is a different business from one that runs on a team.

Then sort bookings by stylist. If most of the best clients are booked with one person, ask whether that person is staying and on what terms. Ask the seller to mark which clients are regulars and which are walk-ins or one-time visitors. Compare the book with the till records for the same dates. If they do not match, ask why, and ask your accountant to look at the difference.

Check how far ahead clients book, how many cancellations or no-shows appear, and whether future bookings already exist for the weeks after the planned handover. Ask whether any bookings are held in a private phone or a separate notebook, because those clients may not follow the sale. Ask the seller to explain any odd gaps, such as a long absence, a holiday or a stylist who was away, so you are not guessing at what the pattern means.

Key takeaways

• Sort bookings by stylist to see where the client loyalty actually sits.
• Match the diary to sales records for the same dates.
• Look for future bookings that already extend past your takeover date.
• Ask who keeps client details held outside the book.