Diana, I have raised my prices four times since I started in this business. I was always afraid of losing the client more than if the tip would disappear. The last increase was in August of 2008. Although we do not have to explain WHY we are raising the costs, it is just a nice gesture to let them know. I told my clients that the companies I use raised their prices with NO warning, as did the cost of fuel and the costs were trinkling down to me. The only service I did not raise was the manicure. Nail retouches went up $2; Full sets went up $5; pedis $2; all waxing services went up $1 except the large ones, like Brazilians, legs, bikinis, which went up $3; and the facials went up $3. ALL but 2 clients kept the tip the same. So I did not lose any money at all. I think you will be fine. Do not tell them how much your rent is going up, just that it is going up. Let them know that you had increases in your products and shipping costs. Quick story: I have THE most miserable client in the world every four weeks for a pedicure. Some day I will tell her whole story, but every time she comes in, she asks if the pedicure is still the same. (cost) Well, she was not here in July when I posted my increase. I let her slide in August when she asked, but told her the $2 increase. Just so she knew for the next time. When she came back in September, she asked me why I told her the price went up. Not only that, she asked me what I would do if she could not afford the increase. I did not answer the latter, but told her she ALWAYS asks if the price is the same. This woman can afford to go to THE most expensive place in the world, but she has moths fly out of her wallet!! If you know what I mean. The next time she brings it up, I am going to ask her if the grocery stores have a HUGE sign or better yet a personal assistant to let her know that the grape juice went up, the toilet paper price increased, the peanuts are now 50 cents more. And they will not care one way or the other if she can or cannot afford it. And they do not tell you that the cost went up. If you do not want to pay the price, then either do not buy it or go somewhere else. In my case, I am seeing quite a few clients getting toe fungus from the chop shops and even one UPSCALE salon. Let them go there and get what they pay for. But that is another whole story for another time!!! Anyway, GO FOR IT! You will be fine. And, this was each time I increased my prices. The tips basically stayed. buenos dias, Lynnette
----- Original Message ----- From: Angela R Wingerter To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:30:44 +0000 (UTC) Subject: NailTech:: Re: my question about raising prices/tips Diana, I think some will not give you anymore. There will be some that have it in their head that with the tip is what they give you so they will add $2. One of my clients use to give me a $3 tip. Years ago, I charged $22.50 for a fill. She gave me $25.50. I raised my prices to $25 and then she started giving me $27.00. This was at least 12 yrs ago. I need a raise. I am wanting to raise my prices to $28.00 She might not tip me anymore if I do that. I have a lot of ladies that give me $30.00. I am wondering if they will continue to pay me $30 anyway. I have about 5 clients that don't tip, so I will at least make more there and there will be some that will up it. Any bit will help ya. Maybe you should raise it up a Little more to cover the ones that will cut into your tip. If your clients know that your rent is going up that much they might surprise you. Good luck and let us know how it worked out. Angie Wingerter From: Diana Bonn To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 7:39:44 AM Subject: NailTech:: my question about raising prices/tips okay, our booth rent goes up $20 a week April 1st. A big jump, but they gave us a 3 year contract when we first started with a gawd awful low deal we all couldn't refuse. Well the 3 years are up!!! I have slowly notified my clients that I am raising my prices, but haven't decided how much yet. I have not raised my prices for years because of well, these clients have been with me for years and when I moved to this salon, my costs went down, so I didn't raise prices(enhancements only, I did raise prices on mani and peds)) I know, I know maybe I should have raised enhancement prices, but I didn't, that is in the past now. Now probably 25% of my clients gave me "raises" by extra tip money over the years. I have 2 clients that give me ZERO tips. One that can't afford it, the other one is rich, and thinks she can't afford it and also thinks that since I am not an employee that I am "pocketing" all this money as income (with no expenses), yeah right. 95% of my clients write checks, a couple of charges, the same amount week after week, tips included. I put this in the bank, so basically except for these two clients the cost of the service plus the tips covers my expenses and income. So my question is, when you raised your prices, did they continue to pay you the same or did they up your amount on the check/charge? I am thinking here, everyone is on a tight budget, If I raised my prices by lets say $2, I could actually see these clients paying me the same exact amount, (lowering my tip) and with my two zero tip clients, I would be gaining $4.00 a week!!!!!!!!!!! LOLOLOL I know the old saying, never count on tips as income, price what it takes now, then tips are gravy. Well I realized over the years that the tip added, that I have used this amount as part of doing business,(my gross). What a mess this is. You also have to realize, that I hardly get any walkins, maybe 5 a year. All are referrals from my clients or stylists. Anyone have any suggestions on this mess I am in, $20 a week is something I have to come up with. somehow. and right now in an extreme case, I am thinking I will gain $4 a week. thanks for any info. diana from indiana --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/NailTech?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
