Appointment time slots

Appointment time selection is an opt-in setting on each eligible hourly product. Use it when the customer needs a specific start and end time, such as an equipment session or studio appointment. A normal hourly rental package without appointment mode does not automatically show time slots.

Set up a timed product

1. Open the rental product in Rentshelf and choose its hourly duration.
2. Enable Appointment time selection in the product settings.
3. Enter an IANA Time zone, such as Europe/London. Set opening and closing times for each working day.
4. Choose a Slot interval, Minimum notice, and optional buffers before and after the appointment.
5. Choose Popup or Inline display. Both use the same availability and reservation rules.
6. Save the product, then test its storefront page at desktop and mobile widths.

The product quantity is simultaneous appointment capacity. Appointment mode uses product-level stock and hourly duration; day buffers and location allocations belong to the day-based rental workflow. Review existing bookings before changing an established schedule.

Check the customer journey

Customers choose a date and an available time. The picker shows the configured time zone and appointment end time. A slot that cannot fit the selected duration, notice or buffers is unavailable. Rentshelf checks capacity again when the reservation is made; viewing an available slot is not a hold or a completed booking.

Use Calendar & Blackouts to close individual dates. A confirmed appointment appears in bookings and follows the normal change and cancellation workflow. Test a real checkout on your own theme before relying on it for live appointments; a successful add-to-cart check alone does not prove payment or order completion.

For virtual appointments, review Zoom setup after the timed appointment itself works. Physical rentals do not need Zoom.