AI Appointment Reminders — Reduce No-Shows to Zero Without Lifting a Finger
Key Stat: Automated appointment reminders reduce no-shows by 90%. For a plumber doing 3-4 jobs per day, that's the difference between 2-3 wasted trips per week and zero.
The Cost of No-Shows
When a customer forgets their appointment:
- You've driven to the property (20-40 minutes wasted)
- You've blocked that time slot (can't book another job)
- You've potentially turned down other work for that time
- Fuel cost for the wasted trip ($10-20)
One no-show costs you approximately $150-$300 in lost time and revenue. If it happens twice a week, that's $15,000-$30,000 per year.
How AI Reminders Work
TradeDesk's AI sends a sequence of reminders automatically:
48 Hours Before — Text Message:
"Hi [Name], just a reminder your plumber Shelton is booked for [Thursday] between [9-10am] for the [tap repair] at [42 Smith St]. Reply YES to confirm or call 0412 XXX XXX to reschedule."
24 Hours Before — Text (if no confirmation):
"Hi [Name], tomorrow's plumbing appointment — are we still good for [9-10am]? Need someone home to let me in. Reply YES to confirm or let me know if we need to reschedule. Cheers!"
2 Hours Before — Final Text:
"Hi [Name], Shelton is on track to arrive between 9-10am this morning. See you soon!"
Optional: AI Voice Call (for high-value jobs)
For jobs over $1,000, the AI can also make a confirmation phone call the day before — a personal touch that ensures the customer is prepared and available.
What Happens When They Can't Make It
If the customer replies "need to reschedule" or doesn't confirm after 2 reminders, the AI:
- Notifies you immediately
- Offers the customer alternative times from your calendar
- Frees up the slot so you can book another job
- Reschedules automatically once the customer picks a new time
You never have to make a "are you still available?" call again.
Results
| Metric | Without Reminders | With AI Reminders |
|---|---|---|
| No-show rate | 10-15% | 1-2% |
| Wasted trips/week | 2-3 | 0-1 |
| Revenue recovered/year | — | $15,000-$30,000 |
| Your time spent on reminders | 30 min/day | 0 minutes |
TradeDesk sends AI-powered appointment reminders via text and voice — completely hands-free. Try it free for 21 days.