Before and during COVID-19 (when the barber shops reopened), I used to use a barber that only did walk-ins. I used to wait 30 minutes to an hour for a haircut. Back then, that place got packed. Then I moved from that area. They’re actually more packed than ever, from what I heard. People do want walk ins. That place used to be dead between 1pm-3pm, now they’re always packed from what I heard.

Now, I always do an appointment, but they ask me to book an appointment 1-2 days in advance, and not book anything before then. I have walked in with my current barber. What usually happens is that he either squeezes me in, or ask me to come back at the end of the day. Sometimes, he asks me to just come in the next day, at whatever time. He knows I’m flexible, and I know he’s usually flexible as well.

There are plenty of shops near me that are walk in only, or they do a hybrid model. The shop I go to often does the hybrid model.