Frequently asked questions
How BOOKYO answers, quotes and books for service businesses — and what stays in your hands. Anything not covered here, ask us or try the assistant on the homepage.
Trust & control
- Will it make up prices or availability?
- No. It only uses the rates and times you've set. If something isn't covered, it tells you instead of guessing.
- Can I still reply to clients myself?
- Always. Send a message in any conversation and the assistant goes quiet in that chat until you hand it back.
- What happens if it doesn't know an answer?
- It says so and flags you, rather than inventing something. You reply yourself and the assistant stays out of that conversation.
- Will it sound like me?
- It replies using your services, your rates and your usual hours. Change any of them at any time and the assistant uses the new details.
Bookings & deposits
- How do deposits work?
- A deposit is requested before a time is locked in — no deposit, no booking. The assistant sends your own payment link (for example your Stripe link). BOOKYO never handles your clients' card details.
- Do I need a new merchant account?
- No. You keep your own payment link; money goes straight to you, not through BOOKYO.
- What if a client won't pay a deposit?
- The time isn't held. That's the point — it filters out time-wasters before they cost you an evening.
- How are double-bookings avoided?
- It only offers times you've marked available, and holds the slot while the client pays.
- Can clients reschedule or cancel?
- Yes — that happens in the chat. Anything that needs your judgement is raised to you instead of being handled automatically.
Channels
- Which channels does it work on?
- All five on every plan — SMS, email, web chat, Telegram and WhatsApp. Clients use what they already have.
- Do my clients need to download an app?
- No. They reply in the same SMS, WhatsApp or email thread they started.
- How fast does it reply?
- Within seconds, day or night.
- Do all conversations land in one place?
- Yes. Every channel arrives in one discreet inbox, so you're not juggling a phone and a laptop.
Setup & pricing
- What do I need to get started?
- Your services and rates, your usual hours, and a payment link for deposits. We set up your channels for you.
- How much does it cost?
- A$49 per month on Self-Management, or A$149 per month on Delegated-Management. There's no commission on your bookings.
- Is there a free trial?
- Yes — a 4-week free trial on the Self-Management plan.
- How is it billed?
- Monthly. One flat fee, no commission on your bookings.
Privacy & compliance
- Is it discreet?
- Yes. Conversations stay in your private inbox, and the assistant never sends photos or files — only your link.
- What happens if a client opts out?
- Clients who reply STOP are not messaged again.
- Where can I read the details?
- See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service in the footer.