Channels: Manage pickup and return time patterns

What are pickup and return times?

The pickup and return times define the options your customers have for starting (or ending) their renting, such as “between 9:00 and 21:00 every 1 hour” and are defined globally for your location. The selected time becomes part of your “delivery contract” with that user

• You may want to define custom pickup times (at 9:00 and 15:00) with custom returns times (at 8:00 and 14:00) in case that works better for your business
• You can prevent rentals such as from 9:19 for 39 minutes, to simplify user communication and maintain your operations rhythm

Where can I manage my pickup and return times?

First, select the location that you want to manage, from Admin ▸ Settings ▸ Channels

Find the section Pickup and Return Times for that location

How to add or update pickup-return time options?

Click Add Time button in order to add a new pickup / return time entry

You will be provided with a set of options for the new time entry.

• Event: Choose either Pickup or Return, depending on which one you want to add
• Starting: The start hour for the pickup (return) options you are going to define
• Ending: The end hour for the pickup (return) options you are going to define
• Type: This provides you a set of options for the pickup pattern you would like to choose:
  • Every 1 hour: Users will see pickup times available hourly
  • Every 2h / 30 min / 15 min: Time options will respect selected pattern
  • Specific time: Use this option if you would like custom pickup time(s) during the day (not respecting any pattern), such as pickup “at 9:00”, “at 14:00”, etc.
  • Interval: Use this option for “wide time range” agreements, suitable for home delivery or other business situations
• Cutoff Time: Minimum time requirement to closest available rental (in minutes)For example, a 60-min cutoff time means a that a rental starting at 2 pm can only be placed the latest by 1 pm same day 

To update your entries, just click on a row or use the pen button on the right side.

Extra note: It is possible to disable the filtering of return times by opening hours in case you operate with a self-service location supporting non-stop returns. In this case, just disable the toggle “Link return times to opening hours”. 

What is the difference between opening hours and pickup-return times and how do they interact?

The pickup and return times define the options your customers have for starting (or ending) their renting, such as “between 9:00 and 21:00 every 1 hour” and are defined globally for your location. The selected time becomes part of your “delivery contract” with that user

• You may want to define custom pickup times (at 9:00 and 15:00) with custom returns times (at 8:00 and 14:00) in case that works better for your business
• You can prevent rentals such as from 9:19 for 39 minutes, to simplify user communication and maintain your operations rhythm

The opening hours are defined for each specific date of your calendar and will act as a filter on top of the pickup and return time options, ensuring that you do not need to serve customers when your shop is closed.

Examples: 

• Closing shop for maintenance or holidays for specific dates (eg. 23rd Oct 2022)
• Manage Saturdays or weekends in specific months of the year
• Widening opening hours on special occasions