Outfitter Learn · Glossary · Glossary

What is a pre-scheduled job?

Definition

A pre-scheduled job is an appointment time offered to a customer and held for the business owner to confirm. The customer knows when someone plans to come, and the owner keeps the final say on the calendar. It sits between a message, with no time set, and a booked job, with the time confirmed.

From Outfitter AI · Updated October 11, 2026

Who it’s for: Owners who want callers to leave with a time, without handing their calendar to someone else.

What happens with a pre-scheduled job

A caller asks for someone to come out, and a time that works for them is offered.
The caller hears that the owner will confirm the time.
The owner gets the details, checks the calendar and confirms with the customer.

How Outfitter does it

Outfitter’s Front Desk pre-schedules; it doesn’t book. When a caller wants a visit, she takes the request. That’s what they need, when works for them and the details you asked for. She tells the caller you’ll confirm the time, then texts and emails you everything.

Why not book straight onto the calendar? A receptionist who double-books you is worse than one who takes a message. You know the job ahead might run long, or that the address is an hour out. Pre-scheduling gets the customer a time and leaves the calendar in your hands.

What it costs

On Outfitter, pre-scheduling is part of a Front Desk call, at 35¢ a minute from tokens.

What it won’t do

Front Desk never states a time as confirmed on your behalf.
It never promises a same-day visit or a start date unless you told it to.
You confirm every pre-scheduled job.

An example

A homeowner calls about a leaking water heater while the plumber is on another job. Front Desk offers Thursday at 8 am and says the owner will confirm. At lunch the plumber reads: “Water heater leak. Pre-scheduled Thu 8am,” with the address. He confirms.

Common questions

What's the difference between a pre-scheduled job and a booked job?

A booked job has a confirmed time. A pre-scheduled job has a time the customer is holding until the owner confirms it.

Why doesn't Front Desk just book the job?

A receptionist who double-books you is worse than one who takes a message. Pre-scheduling keeps the calendar in your hands.

What does the customer hear?

They hear that the owner will confirm the time. Front Desk never states a time as confirmed on your behalf.

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Keep reading

Front DeskHow does Front Desk pre-schedule a job?GlossaryWhat is an AI receptionist?Front DeskWhat happens when Front Desk answers a call?Trust and controlWhat needs my approval, and what runs on its own?GuideHow to book more jobs from phone calls

Last updated October 11, 2026. Prices and features change; if something here is out of date, call or text (507) 628-0400 and we’ll fix it.