Where messages live
Open Messages from the sidebar (or the bottom bar on mobile). You get one conversation per business you have contacted, with the business name and logo at the top of the thread. Messages are powered by Supabase Realtime so new replies appear instantly without refreshing.
Starting a conversation
There are two common ways to continue a chat:
- From an appointment in My bookings, open the booking and tap Message Service Specialist in the booking detail.
- From Messages, open the existing conversation for that business from the inbox list.
Tobinrin keeps one conversation per business, so history stays together even if you book the same provider again later. Right now, the provider's public profile does not have a separate Message button.
Typing indicators
When someone from the business is replying, Tobinrin shows a typing indicator in the conversation. You will see the business name rather than the individual staff member who is typing.
What to message about
Messaging is ideal for pre-booking questions ("Do you carry this product?"), gentle reminders, or sharing prep details. For cancellations and reschedules, use the Reschedule or Cancel button on the booking itself so the provider's calendar updates automatically.
You can also attach supported images, PDFs, and videos when a visual reference helps explain what you need.