23/12/2025
Don’t ever feel bad for charging a late cancellation fee.
People will tell you, “They’ll get upset.” Let them. Let them vent. Let them get it off their chest. Then look them in the eye and say, “I understand what you’re saying. How would you like to pay today?”
A late cancellation isn’t harmless. If someone cancels five or ten minutes or less than 24hrs before their appointment, that slot is gone. You can’t refill it. That time has been blocked out, prepared for, and reserved. That’s not just lost time, it’s lost income, and it directly affects your business.
Yes, there are genuine reasons people cancel. Accidents happen. Emergencies happen. Tragic situations happen. Most clinicians can tell the difference and will act accordingly. This isn’t about those people.
This is about the ones who think they can do whatever they want, cancel last minute, and face no consequence. Those are the ones you charge. No guilt. No apology.
A late cancellation fee is no different to a parking ticket or a speeding fine. It’s an inconvenience, but it exists because actions have consequences. You don’t get to decide the rule doesn’t apply to you just because you don’t like it.
If someone gives you a rubbish excuse or an obvious lie, charge them. If they don’t like it, that’s fine. Boundaries matter. Respecting your time matters.
Don’t ever feel bad for protecting your business.
