In a walk-in salon, the turn list decides who takes the next client, and with that client the service price and the tip. Run it badly and you get arguments, favouritism and good technicians leaving. Run it well and nobody has to think about it.
What is a turn list?
A turn list is the queue of technicians waiting for the next walk-in client. When a client arrives, the technician at the top of the list who is free takes them, and their turn count goes up. The list then moves on.
Rule 1: decide the starting order
Most salons use clock-in order: whoever arrives first is first on the list. Some rotate the starting order each day so early arrivals do not always get the first, often larger, morning clients. Pick one and write it down.
Rule 2: count small services as half turns
A polish change takes ten minutes and pays little. If it counts as a full turn, the technician who takes it can lose out on the next full pedicure. Half turns fix this.
| Service | Turn value |
|---|---|
| Polish change | 0.5 |
| Manicure | 1 |
| Pedicure | 1 |
| Full set | 1 (some salons use 1.5) |
| Kids’ service | 0.5 |
Rule 3: decide what a request counts as
When a client asks for a technician by name, the technician serves them regardless of the list. The question is whether that counts as their turn:
- Requests count: fairer to technicians without regulars.
- Requests do not count: rewards technicians who build a following.
Both are defensible. What causes arguments is changing the rule from day to day.
Rule 4: breaks and late arrivals
A technician on a break should keep their place, not drop to the bottom. A late arrival joins at the end. A technician with a booked appointment soon should not be given a long walk-in service that would make them late.
Rule 5: refused clients
If a technician refuses a walk-in (for example, a service they do not offer), most salons treat it as a taken turn. Write down exceptions, such as services someone is not trained for.
Why a screen beats a whiteboard
A whiteboard depends on whoever holds the marker. A turn list on the front desk screen updates the moment a technician finishes, shows half turns and requests, and keeps a record of the day if a dispute comes up later.
In GetSpaPOS the turn list sits on the home screen, follows the rules you set (turn values per service, request rules, breaks), and knows when each technician’s next booking starts. See appointments and walk-in turns, or try the live turn-board on that page.
A turn list policy you can copy
- Turn order starts with clock-in order.
- Polish changes and kids’ services are half turns.
- Requests do (or do not) count as a turn.
- Breaks keep your place for up to 30 minutes.
- A refused walk-in counts as a taken turn unless the service is not one you offer.
- The front desk assigns walk-ins from the screen; technicians do not pick.
Print it, put it in the break room, and point to it the next time someone asks.
