LOL...thanks for the good wishes on that, Laura! I gotta say...that first week was complete chaos!!! We were totally unprepared. And groupon did not honor our limits...we sold 1100 of these things! I feel we will not convert as many as we could...because this first few weeks when people are clamoring to get in with us, we were caught flat footed. Our phones/voicemail/front desk were overwhelmed and non-existent...we allow online booking and you can imagine the mess people are making!! We did not have enough product on hand. We only had two chairs--me and a hairstylist that would begrudgingly do manis or pedis if she didn't have hair appts. But not Shellac. And not French polish. But she quit, anyway....so... This last week, we somewhat regained control. We have blocked out spaces every week for our regular clients. We hired 3 students from the local high school who are far enough along in their cosmetology course work that they can work under the supervision of a licensed person. We stocked up on supplies....we hired a front desk person...and we bought a third chair set up (we use really nice lounge chairs from Ikea and Belava pedi bowls) and as soon as the girls learn the steps of each offering we have, we will be booking them. We do not yet have the 2nd chair covered for mornings before the girls get her after school...so we will have to move several clients, and that usually does not bode well for converting them to regular clients.
And we've had our share of the usual "groupon gripers"....if you can believe, a lady who works for a luxury automobile company wrote to complain that she certainly understood paying a premium price for a premium service, but she would not pay our prices...she can "get a spa-quality pedicure and a Shellac service WITH the removal for $60" and "if your prices were more in line Karen would be my regular nail tech." OMG! why would I want her??? I wish her good luck with that other place...where ever it is! Fortunately, however, we HAVE had several really nice people rebook with us...so there is hope! But this is the craziest thing I've ever been through in the industry! lol I am much more relaxed about it now, tho...and will simply do my very best. Karen Hodges ________________________________ From: Laura Merzetti <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, October 31, 2011 10:07:49 AM Subject: RE: NailTech:: Re: Appointment Stretching Karen thanks for your input too. I just want to say I’m so glad I started this thread, it’s obviously helping others and I am so so grateful to everyone who responds with new and fresh ideas. I hope your Groupon promo gets you lots of repeat business! Laura From:[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen Sent: October-31-11 11:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: NailTech:: Re: Appointment Stretching I agree...it's the attitude! You weren't ready yet...and now you are! Karen Hodges ________________________________ From:Arpi Sekeryan <[email protected]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Sun, October 30, 2011 7:48:56 PM Subject: Re: NailTech:: Re: Appointment Stretching Pati, You'll be busy in no time! Sent from my iPad On Oct 30, 2011, at 7:41 PM, Pati Schembari <[email protected]> wrote: > I guess I need that backbone too. > I have always said that when clients know/think you are busy they clamor to >make all their appointments and their friends want you too... For some reason, >well because I was sick and was slowly rebuilding both my body and my business >..I have not acquired that "busy" attitude again.... BUT I know that I need to >(me..myself) in order to be successful again. I have a wonderful salon, I do >great nails, I am clean, I am not overpriced, nor am I as cheap as the Asian >salons ( not saying that as a slur, but I seriously I do not know if they are >nss salons, however I do know they are Asian/oriental, cheap and clients do >not >need appointments) .... I just need to get more clients. So for the time being >I >don't want to be a nail nazi...I have always killed them with kindness, and >wowed them with my nails, and that has usually worked! People don't know I am >here...many don't know that I have moved back from Florida... My kids are >grown, >so I am not involved in the PTA or scouts... I know I should probably get >involved with the rotary or some adult groups...I just haven't yet. Maybe I >should go to a local weight watchers group just so I can meet potential >clients! >A perk would be the weight loss!! LOL! I don't belong to a gym either...I have >to start being more visible in town. I have a feeling this year will pick >up...I personally think many of my old acquaintances and/ or clients shyed >away >from returning to me because they knew how sick I had been...for whatever >their >reasoning was. But..I am better now and look more like myself these days so I >think THIS will be the year for growth. I am going to start advertising >locally, >even hanging flyers and putting business cards in local stores... > I always try to remember what it felt like when I was a client getting my > nails >done...and that is how I treat my clients. I LOVED not getting charged for >repairs...I loved a few wisps or quick nail art that my tech would give me >gratis...I loved that she was good at what she did..and I showed her my >appreciation in being her client and tipping her nicely. I KNOW that sometimes >there is a sick grandchild, flat tire etc... And while I can.. I will >accommodate them...when I can't ...well we will cross that bridge when we get >to >it. > > Ok sorry for the ranting...I have been in the house all day cooking for >everyone that is staying here cause they lost power because of this freakish >blizzard we had yesterday!!! (10 inches of snow and a 1/2 million trees that >came down) > Thanks for all the suggestions! > > > Pati > > On Oct 30, 2011, at 11:04 AM, "Laura Merzetti" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Jill this is a great strategy, thanks for the great response. I think what >> I'm getting is I need to grow a backbone :) >> >> Laura >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf >> Of Jill in Ky >> Sent: October-30-11 2:15 AM >> To: NailTech >> Subject: Re: NailTech:: Re: Appointment Stretching >> >> Years ago before the recession I did price my fills $10 higher for a 4- week >> fill. I only have 1 client that stretches it that long, so I really didn't >> see the need for it once the economy went bad. I don't have time in my >> schedule anymore to regularly book 3-week fills, so everyone has to be on a >> 2 week standing appt. or they risk not being able to get in for another >> month or so. >> >> But I am pretty strict with my cancellation policy & clients know I will >> fire them if they abuse it. Earlier this year 1 client had steadily become a >> problem.....constantly running late & forgetting her standing 2 week appt. >> The last straw was about a month ago when she forgot her appt. even though I >> gave her a reminder call the night before. She was the only 2 week standing >> appt. that I did this for & it's not like she was old & feeble. >> >> So when she doesn't show up on time, I decide to not call her. I'm outside >> decorating the salon for Halloween when she pulls up 40 MINUTES LATE! She >> asks me "well, can't you do a little something to them?" as she wiggles her >> fingers in the air. I told her no, that I'd texted my next client to come in >> early, so we didn't have time. Plus I let her know how the client before her >> had wanted a pedicure, but couldn't get one because yesterday SHE had >> confirmed SHE was coming for her nail appt. So I told her that I lost that >> income for the hour, plus the pedicure income I could've had, plus my other >> client had to do her own toenails. >> >> In all fairness I did not fire her. She fired herself. I gave her the choice >> of paying me the $30 she owed me for her missed manicure appt. >> or I could take her off my books. She chose to get off my books. So for a >> measly $30 she has blown the chance of me EVER taking her back as a client. >> And that's the way it goes when you have a business to run....I didn't lose >> sleep over it or feel bad for her at all. I filled her every 2 week appt. at >> 4pm with a friend of hers that very week! >> >> Jill Wright >> Bowling Green, KY. >> >> On Oct 29, 10:37 am, Angie <[email protected]> wrote: >>> What about setting your price for a 3 to 4 week fill and giving a few >> dollars discount for 2 weeks. Maybe that would be less confusing. I am >> struggleing with this also. Maybe the answer would be a strickter >> cancelation policy. >>> >>> Jess in WA <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> I used to do this years ago. I ended up having clients come in 1 day >>>> short of the 3 week or 4 week mark so they would not have to pay >>>> more. It became annoying because they couldn't keep a standing ever >>>> and would get frustrated when their day before the 3 week went away, >>>> I would suggest doing a 2 week price, then a 2.5+week price for $5 >>>> more and leave it at that. I don't do it anymore because I price now >>>> based on 3-4 weeks and if they want to come in more often thats up to >>>> them, but I have very few who come in at 2 weeks because their nails >>>> look too good. Repairs aren't typically a problem except for a few >>>> and God knows what they do to their nails!! >>> >>>> -Jess >>> >>>> On Oct 29, 9:45 am, "Laura Merzetti" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> Hey gang, >>> >>>>> I'm thinking of changing my rebalance pricing to reflect the longer >>>>> intervals my clients are starting to go in between appointments. >>>>> I'm thinking a 2-week, 3-week and 4-week charge. Right now I only >>>>> have one price. >>> >>>>> My clients currently go between 3-4 weeks successfully. I'm >>>>> beginning to see a trend the past few months where they are now >>>>> calling or messaging me to push out their appointment by another >>>>> week or so. When they do finally come in, they have breaks ("that >>>>> just happened yesterday!") or lifting, the nails are unbalanced >>>>> and just look ugly. Not to mention, I'm seeing the impact of less >>>>> revenue. I include 2 free nail repairs at each appointment; magically >> they never seem to have more than that. >>> >>>>> For those of you who do this successfully, how has it changed your >> business? >>>>> I would like to hear any pros and cons, especially how to >>>>> positively spin it for clients. Should I just not shorten the >>>>> nails so much at each appointment ? :P >>> >>>>> Thanks a bunch. >>> >>>>> Laura M. >>> >>>> -- >>>> 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 >> athttp://groups.google.com/group/nailtech?hl=en. >> >> -- >> 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. >> >> >> -- >> 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. >> > > -- > 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. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "NailTech" group. 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