# Car wash step 4: bookings and the queue

> Take detail bookings online and by phone, add walk-ins, check cars in, see today's line by crew member and ask for a deposit to confirm.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-4-bookings-and-the-queue/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

Detail jobs are booked; tunnel customers just drive in. **Bookings** keeps both in one place: appointments from the website or phone, walk-ins, and the cars in service right now.

## Before you start

- Services have durations and crew ([steps 2](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-2-wash-packages-and-add-ons/) and [3](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-3-crew-hours-and-commission/)).

## Turn on online booking

1. Open **Services › Settings**. Make sure **Online booking page is on** and tick **Customers can book services online**.
2. Choose **Customers can choose a staff member** and **Show prices on the booking page**.
3. Decide on **Confirm online bookings automatically**. Off means bookings arrive as **Requested**.
4. Optional: under **Payment to confirm — Appointment**, ask for a **Deposit** or **Full payment** with the allowed payment methods.
5. **Save**, then copy the link from **Copy booking link** on **Services › Overview**.

## Add phone bookings and walk-ins

1. Click **New appointment** on **Services › Overview** (or **New booking** on **Bookings**).
2. Choose the customer and one or more services (for example Interior Detail plus Headlight Restoration).
3. Pick a crew member or **Any available staff**, then a free time. Busy staff are flagged.
4. Save. The booking gets a reference number and the source (Walk-in, Phone, Online, POS).

## Run today's line

The **Bookings** page shows counters (**Bookings today**, **Still to come**, **Awaiting confirmation**, **Arrived / in service**, **Completed**, **Waitlist**) and **Today's arrivals** with **Check in** and **No-show** buttons. Late arrivals are marked **Late**.

![Bookings page with counters, a week calendar with one appointment on Friday, and Today's arrivals with a confirmed and late customer and Check in and No-show buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/bookings-calendar.Cci6eolo.png) (web app page: `/bookings`)
*Bookings: today's counters, the calendar and today's arrivals.*

Switch to **Timeline** to see one row per crew member. Click an empty spot on a row to book that person at that time.

![Bookings Timeline view by staff with rows for three crew members and one appointment at 8:15](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/staff-calendar.D_hC0qoF.png) (web app page: `/bookings`)
*Timeline by staff: who is busy when.*

1. Customer arrives: **Check in**. The overview moves them to **Arrived / in service**.
2. Work starts: **Start**.
3. Work done: **Checkout** opens the POS with the customer, services and crew filled in ([step 5](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-5-fast-checkout-tips-and-memberships/)).

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Put realistic durations and clean-up times on long services, or the calendar overbooks.
- Use **No-show** rather than cancelling; the no-show rate appears in Services reports.
- For drive-through tunnel customers, skip bookings and ring the wash straight up in the POS.

Next: [step 5: fast checkout, tips and wash clubs](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/car-wash/step-5-fast-checkout-tips-and-memberships/).

  - [Bookings](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/bookings/)
  - [Booking payments](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/booking-payments/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do customers book online?

On your online booking page. Copy the link with Copy booking link on Services › Overview and put it on your website, Google profile and social pages.

### Can I ask for a deposit when someone books a ceramic coating?

Yes. Set an Online deposit on the service, or set a payment rule under Payment to confirm in Services settings (deposit or full payment, pay now or within some hours).

### How do I see the line of cars today?

Bookings shows cards for bookings today, still to come, awaiting confirmation, arrived or in service, completed and waitlist, plus Today's arrivals. The Timeline view shows one row per crew member.

### What do I do when the customer arrives?

Click Check in on the booking (in Today's arrivals or on the booking itself), then Start when work begins. Mark No-show if they don't come.

### Do online bookings need my approval?

Only if Confirm online bookings automatically is off. Then they arrive as Requested until someone confirms them.

### Can I send reminders?

Yes. Send email reminders with Reminder (hours before) in Services settings, if e-mail is set up for your business.