- Unexplained waits feel longer than informed ones
‘Waiting in ignorance creates a feeling of powerlessness, which frequently results in visible irritation and rudeness on the part of customers.’ In many queue situations, such as airports or checkout lines, the process is familiar, so people understand and accept why they are waiting in line. However, in other locations, or in situations where wait times are unexpectedly long, letting people know why they are queueing helps to reduce tension and anxiety.
- Unjust waits feel longer than fair ones
‘A queuing system is a microcosm social construct and its fairness should conform to the general cultural perception of social justice in the particular society.’ Most of our modern queue lines are based on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) concept; which is widely considered to be fair. However, creating a queueing system which prevents ‘queue jumpers’ is essential: people need to feel like everybody is waiting their turn.
- Unoccupied waits feel longer than busy ones
Standing around for even a few minutes with nothing to do can feel like an eternity. Giving your customers something to occupy themselves with while waiting in line helps to make the time pass more quickly. Promotional materials, informative advertisements and videos and even QR code posters they can scan on smartphones to take them to your website give your queuers something to do.
Queues, particularly retail queues, are a natural anxiety flashpoint which can lead to tensions and ‘queue rage’ if not properly controlled. People waiting to purchase a ‘limited edition’ item, for example, will become vastly more anxious if presented with a ‘countdown’ of how many are left. In addition, multiple queues also cause anxiety as people look around to see ‘which is moving faster’. This can lead to frustration and anger. Generally, a single long serpentine queue with multiple exits at the front is the most effective way to reduce queue anxiety.
When constructing your queue, it’s important to think as much about the psychology of queueing as it is about choosing the ideal queue barrier product. For more information on creating the perfect queue system, you can visit our blog: How to Implement an Effective Queue Barrier System.
What are the types of queue barriers?
There are several different styles of queue barrier to choose from:
- Retractable Queue Barriers - these are the most popular style of queue barrier. They are composed of weighted stanchion posts with retractable belt cassettes at the top, from which you extend a webbing belt which can be clipped into the next post.
- Wall-Mounted Retractable Barriers - working in the same way as the standard retractable barriers, instead of being located at the top of a floor post, these cassettes are fixed to the wall and the belt extends from this wall bracket, and clips into either a floor post receiver or wall-mounted receiver.
- Rope Queue Barriers - traditionally found outside hospitality venues, these classic queue barriers give a more elegant feel. Velvet or braided ropes are clipped into weighted metal stanchion posts with inbuilt rings.
- Safety Barriers - comprising a range of different styles and designs, this category of barrier is designed with safety in mind, pure and simple. High-visibility finishes and practical designs mean these options are ideal for cordoning off danger zones or accident sites.
- Cafe Barriers - falling equally under the banner of ‘advertising’ as of ‘queue barriers’, cafe barriers can be used to create queue zones as well as sectioning off areas outside hospitality venues. In addition to their stanchions they include bespoke printed banners, which hang between the posts.
As part of these wider collections, we sell different ranges of queue barriers including our Queue Solutions, Skipper™ and Tensabarrier® systems.
How much do queue barriers cost?
It is very possible to purchase cheap queue barriers that are still durable, high-quality products. Within the different styles of queue barrier, we have products ranging from affordable, cost-effective queue barriers to our more high-end items.
For more information about our queue barriers, please reach out to our team on 01733 511030 or via our Contact Us page.