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Booking & Scheduling

Record a visit you couldn't get into

Last updated November 2026 · v1.0

You showed up, but the lockbox code was wrong or the gate was locked. That isn't a no-show, so Chester records it as Couldn't get in, with a note saying what happened. The pet owner sees your note, and you choose what it costs and how your team is paid.

The short version
  1. Open the visit once its start time has passed.
  2. Tap Couldn't get in and write what happened.
  3. Tap Record couldn't get in, and the pet owner is told.

On your phone

  1. From your schedule, open the visit.
  2. Tap Couldn't get in, next to Mark no-show if you can mark no-shows.
    • On a group walk, use the button on that household's row.
  3. Under What happened, write a short note, for example "The key did not work and the side gate was locked".
    • The owner and the pet owner both see it.
  4. If a fee applies and you can see client prices, Chester shows it.
    • A team member who can't see prices sees their own pay instead.
  5. Tap Record couldn't get in.

On the web

  1. Open the visit from your schedule.
  2. Click Couldn't get in, fill in What happened, and click Record couldn't get in.
    • The web doesn't show the fee before you confirm, and the phone does.

What your client gets

  • A "Couldn't get in for your visit" notification, unless they've turned off booking change notifications. Household contacts get one too, by their own settings.
  • Your note shows on the visit in their Chester account.
  • The visit shows Couldn't get in (not No-show) in their schedule.
  • If your policy charges for it, a fee goes on a draft invoice for you to review and send. A visit covered by a prepaid pack gets no fee invoice.

Good to know

  • Set the fee in your cancellation policy. The Couldn't get in box sets what the client pays, on your defaults, a service type or one service. Left as the no-show fee, it charges the same as a no-show. See Set cancellation policies.
  • Choose how your team is paid. On Your defaults, "Pay the team member as for a done visit when they couldn't get in" is on to start, so they get their normal rate.
  • Turn it off to pay them what your no-show team pay says. It shows only once you have a team.
  • Who can record it. Anyone with the Cancel bookings permission, plus the team member on the visit, even a contractor.
  • It only appears once the visit's start time has passed, the same rule as a no-show. On a stay, it's offered only on the check-in day.
  • A note is required. It's the pet owner's explanation, so keep it factual.
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