What You Need to Know About the Tuft Platform Fee
June 9, 2025 2:04 pm
Supporting the tools you rely on and the clients who use them.
Tuft was built for both groomers and pet owners. From day one, our goal has been to make running a grooming business smoother and give pet owners the flexibility and control they want, from booking and rescheduling to reminders and messaging, all in one app.
To continue investing in the tools that make that possible, we’re introducing the Tuft Platform Fee, a £1.25 charge applied to appointments booked through the Tuft app.
To be clear, this Tuft Platform Fee is paid by the pet owner, not the groomer.
It appears as a separate line item at checkout and is clearly marked as a Tuft Platform Fee charge, not something set by your business. This fee isn’t a replacement for your subscription or an added cost to you. Instead, it’s a contribution from the client toward the features they use directly, such as 24/7 online booking, instant appointment reminders, secure in-app payments, and the ability to reschedule without needing to contact you.
If you’re manually booking an appointment for a client who isn’t using the app, the Tuft Platform Fee doesn’t apply.
Will my clients really accept this?
We completely understand your concern, it’s something we’ve heard from other groomers as well.
Our research and experience from similar platforms show that most customers are comfortable with a small fee, especially when they understand it supports the convenience and reliability of the service.
For most owners, the Tuft Platform Fee will cost less than £10 a year.
The average dog gets groomed every 6, 8, or 12 weeks. If your client books every 6 weeks, that’s just £1.25 per appointment, about £10 for an entire year of 24/7 booking, rescheduling, instant reminders, secure payments, less back-and-forth, more flexibility, and peace of mind.
That’s less than a single takeaway, or one trip to the cinema!
We know every business is different, and this change won’t be perfect for everyone. But it’s a necessary step to help Tuft grow sustainably and continue delivering the features, support, and visibility groomers rely on.
We’ll continue listening closely and evolving the platform with your needs in mind because your success is our success.
How does this help YOUR business?
The Tuft Platform Fee doesn’t just support app features it helps your day-to-day run more efficiently.
By encouraging clients to book through the app, it reduces admin, cuts down on back-and-forth messaging, lowers no-show rates, and helps keep your diary running smoothly. In short, your clients get more flexibility, and you get more time to focus on what you do best.
Together, we’re building a platform that grows with your business.
FAQ
What is the Tuft Platform Fee?
The Tuft Platform Fee is a £1.25 charge added to bookings made through the Tuft app. It supports the ongoing development and running of the features that make Tuft a valuable tool for both groomers and pet owners.
Tuft is built to save time and reduce admin, from online bookings and automated reminders to client messaging and schedule management. The Tuft Platform Fee helps cover the cost of maintaining and improving these services, so they continue to run reliably and grow with your business.
This fee ensures the platform remains efficient, supported, and able to deliver value with every booking, for you and your clients.
Why are you charging my client when I already pay?
Tuft is designed to support both groomers and pet owners. While your subscription covers access to business tools and platform features tailored for grooming professionals, your clients also benefit directly, through 24/7 online booking, rescheduling, automated reminders, secure payments, and in-app messaging.
The Tuft Platform Fee helps support and maintain these client-facing services, ensuring they remain reliable, accessible, and continuously improving.
For most pet owners, the Tuft Platform Fee adds up to under £10 a year. A contribution that reflects the convenience and flexibility they receive with each booking.
This approach allows Tuft to grow sustainably, continue investing in tools that benefit everyone, and reduce the admin burden on your business.
Do my customers HAVE to pay it?
If your client would like to avoid paying the fee the can make a booking with you through the widget instead. This reserves a slot but skips self-service tools offered by the app.
What if my customers don’t use the app?
If your customers book through you and don’t use the app, the Tuft Platform Fee won’t apply to those bookings.
Why not just raise subscription prices?
We chose a platform fee because it’s a more balanced and flexible approach (especially for groomers with varying levels of bookings).
A flat subscription increase would impact everyone equally, even those who may only get a handful of bookings through the app. With this model, the fee scales naturally: higher booking volumes mean slightly more in fees, but also more value delivered.
It’s a way to make sure the platform can keep growing and improving, while keeping costs more manageable and tied to actual usage.
Will my clients think the charge is from me?
No.
We make it clear in the Tuft app that the Tuft Platform Fee is charged by Tuft, not by you.
It’s shown as a separate line item at checkout as ‘Tuft Platform Fee’ with a clear explanation, so your clients understand this fee is for the platform. NOT part of your service pricing.
What if my client has multiple pets?
The Tuft Platform Fee is charged once per booking. NOT per pet.
So, whether a client books one pet or several in the same appointment, the Tuft Platform Fee remains the same.
What if they reschedule a booking?
There’s no additional charge for rescheduling.
The Tuft Platform Fee is a one-time fee that applies to the original booking. It covers any changes made to that appointment, including reschedules.
What about clients who book multiple appointments per month?
We completely understand this concern, and we’re actively looking into ways to make it more affordable for frequent clients. One option we’re considering is an annual upfront fee at a reduced rate, covering all their bookings for the year, rather than charging per appointment.
Can I choose to pay the Tuft Platform Fee myself, instead of my clients?
We greatly appreciate all the valuable feedback we’ve received, thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns. We’re currently exploring alternative options, including the possibility for groomers to absorb the Tuft Platform Fee themselves, giving you the flexibility and choice you deserve.
Other grooming software doesn’t charge a platform fee, why does Tuft?
It’s totally understandable to compare platforms. Every system structures its pricing differently.
Some may not charge a platform fee, but they often offer fewer features, less support, or charge more elsewhere, whether that’s in higher subscriptions, add-ons, or time cost from extra admin.
At Tuft, we’ve chosen this model that ties cost to usage.
That way, if you’re getting more bookings, the small fee reflects the value we’re helping you generate. And if you’re quieter, you’re not stuck paying a flat high fee.
It’s all about giving you a modern, well-supported platform that helps your business grow, and we’re here to back that up with great service, not just software.
How does Tuft Compare to other client self-serve platforms?
We understand that any new fee should be clear and easy to understand, and that’s exactly how we’ve built this one.
Unlike some platforms that use hidden commissions or variable pricing, the Tuft Platform Fee is a straightforward, fixed amount. It ensures the features your clients rely on stay supported, with no surprises along the way.
How do my clients benefit from using Tuft?
Clients using the Tuft app can:
- Instantly choose a time that suits them – 24/7
- Update pet details and medical needs
- Adjust bookings without having to call or message
- Receive booking reminders
- Message you directly
This means fewer back-and-forths for you, fewer no-shows, and a more streamlined calendar.
Three Ways to talk to your clients about the new Tuft Platform Fee
We understand that your customers may come to you asking about the Tuft Platform Fee, so we have prepared a few ways to frame the change in the examples below.
- “It supports app features like appointment reminders, online deposits, and booking security.”
- “Tuft charges a platform fee to cover the features in the app. It gives you 24/7 access to book, reschedule, receive reminders, and manage your details without having to call or wait for a reply.”
- “Tuft charges that to help keep things smooth, so you can book when it suits you, not just when we’re available.”
…And Thank You
Tuft’s Platform Fee helps maintain everything you and your clients love about the system, without increasing your monthly subscription costs. We’re committed to enhancing your experience, rolling out thoughtful updates, and keeping everything just a tap away.
Got questions? Our support team is always within reach at [email protected] or through WhatsApp. Let’s keep growing together.