Guide

How Crown Booking works.

A plain-English walkthrough — booking types, payments, deposits, privacy, and the answers to the questions everyone asks.

60-second overview

Two roles. One simple flow.

Whether you're booking an appointment or running the chair, here's the shape of it.

For clients

  1. Browse providers and pick a service.
  2. Choose Instant (soonest available) or Scheduled (pick a time).
  3. Confirm with a deposit to send the request.
  4. The provider accepts or declines.
  5. Once accepted, you'll get the exact location & directions.
  6. After the appointment, the balance is charged and you can leave a review.

For providers

  1. Create your profile — services, pricing, schedule, photos.
  2. Complete payout setup with Stripe Express.
  3. Your profile is reviewed before going live.
  4. Accept scheduled requests or go online for instant bookings.
  5. Start the appointment on time; complete it after the grace window.
  6. Get paid automatically to your connected payout account.
Booking types

Instant or Scheduled?

Both flows go through the same provider — the difference is timing, deposit size, and how long they have to confirm.

Instant

For when you want it now.

  • Best when you want an appointment soon.
  • Includes a small rush fee (shown before you confirm).
  • Uses a 50% deposit of the service total.
  • Providers have a short acceptance window.
  • Requests very close to start time may be treated as Instant automatically.
Scheduled

For when you're planning ahead.

  • Best when booking days or weeks out.
  • Pick a date and time from available slots.
  • Uses a 20% deposit of the service total.
  • Providers have a longer acceptance window for future appointments.
  • No rush fee.
Instant booking deposit Charged when the provider accepts
50%
Scheduled booking deposit Charged when the provider accepts
20%
Payments & deposits

What gets charged, when, and to whom.

No surprises. Every step is shown in-app before you confirm.

The flow, in three beats

Step 1

You authorize

When you confirm a request, payment is authorized so the time can be reserved and the provider knows you're serious.

Step 2

Provider accepts

If they accept, the booking is confirmed. If they decline or never accept, you're not charged at all.

Step 3

Appointment completes

After the appointment is completed, the full amount is charged — your deposit is part of that total.

8%

Provider platform fee

Crown takes a flat 8% from each booking total. The rest goes straight to the provider through Stripe Express. Pricing is always shown in-app before anyone confirms.

If a booking is cancelled

After a provider has accepted, what you're charged depends on when you cancel.

Within the grace window

You only pay the deposit. The rest is not charged.

After the grace window

You'll be charged the full booking amount.

Provider cancels

You're not charged anything — full release.

Provider never accepts

The request expires and you're not charged.

Location & privacy

Private addresses stay private.

Crown is built so providers can show their work publicly without leaking where they actually work.

  • Provider profiles show a coarse / general area publicly — never the exact address.
  • The full address and directions are revealed only after a booking is accepted, and only while it's active.
  • Private location data is stored separately from the public profile.
  • If a booking is cancelled or completed, the precise address goes back behind the curtain.
Trust & safety

Reviewed pros. Real reviews. Easy reports.

  • Every provider is reviewed before being approved and bookable.
  • Reviews can only be left after a completed appointment — so the feedback you see is from people who actually showed up.
  • In-app tools to report a provider or file a bug report in under 30 seconds.
  • Payment, identity, and payouts are handled through Stripe — the same infrastructure used by Shopify, Lyft, and millions of businesses.
FAQ

Quick answers.

What is Crown Booking?

A booking and payments platform that connects clients with independent beauty professionals — barbers, braiders, nail techs, lash artists, stylists, and more.

Are providers employees of Crown?

No — providers are independent professionals running their own businesses. Crown handles discovery, scheduling, payments, and safety tooling so they can focus on the work.

What's the difference between Instant and Scheduled?

Instant is for near-term availability — it often includes a small rush fee and uses a higher deposit (50%). Scheduled is for picking a future time slot with a smaller deposit (20%) and no rush fee.

Why do I have to pay a deposit?

The deposit reserves the time, reduces no-shows, and lets providers confidently accept your request. It's part of your total — not an extra fee.

How much is the deposit?

You'll always see the exact amount before confirming.

  • Instant: 50% of the service total.
  • Scheduled: 20% of the service total.
When is the rest of my payment charged?

After the appointment is completed — usually that same evening.

What if the provider doesn't respond?

Requests have an acceptance countdown. If it expires or the provider declines, you won't be charged — just try a different time or provider.

Can I cancel or reschedule?

You can cancel anytime. If the booking has already been accepted, what you're charged depends on the grace window — deposit only inside it, full amount outside. Rescheduling is usually easiest by cancelling and rebooking at the right time.

What happens if the provider cancels?

You're not charged anything. Full release.

When do I see the exact address?

Only after the provider accepts your booking — and only while it's active. Before that, you'll see a general area but not a precise address.

Can I leave a review without booking?

No. Reviews are only allowed after a completed appointment, so the ratings you see come from real customers.

How do providers get paid?

Providers connect their payout info through Stripe Express. Payouts run automatically once a booking is completed. Payout eligibility requires completed setup and platform approval.

I'm a provider — why am I not showing up yet?

Providers must finish all profile details, complete payout setup, and pass review before appearing live. If you're stuck, reach out to support and we'll help unblock you.

How do I report a problem?

Use the in-app report options to submit a bug report or report a provider. It takes about 30 seconds and goes directly to our team.

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