Tricia, you've got to do what works for you're bottom line...but in the end, you're still giving away a free service. You may get that big bundle of money up front, but the hourly price break down the line still means you're sitting in the chair pedicuring or manicuring someone for that 1 freebie or discounted service......when you could be having a full paying customer in your chair for that hour instead. And don't forget the cost of the products you're using, too. That's less product that could go to cover a full paying client. So either way, you're losing money no matter how you slice it. And when their punch card is full, the cycle starts all over.
Personally, I'd give away retail to get them hooked on our fabulous professional brands. And as we know, EVERYONE loves something for free....so Renee, you can't really be mad at the accountant for giving her opinion on what would make her happy. We'd ALL be happy if everything in life was a punch card where we got something for free, but that's not realistic because we all have different bottom lines to meet. She just doesn't understand yours because she has never worked as a nail tech before. When other salons all across America offer punch cards just like dry cleaners and tanning salons, she simply thought that was normal and customary. I'm sure she had no idea you were offended by her comment. And the reason you were offended was because twofold: 1) you'd been letting her get over on you without paying the increased charge for awhile now, probably because you didn't feel comfortable addressing the issue with her and weren't sure how to go about it with her 'rolled cash' method of paying you. 2) in your mind you place a higher value on your service than you felt she does (which may or may not be true). The fact that she's still coming to you must mean she likes something that you're doing for her. Now that she's paying the full price just like everyone else...life's good:) Jill Wright www.nailtechevent.com On Apr 27, 10:50 am, TriciaDoesNails <[email protected]> wrote: > At our Spa, we have a customer appreciation night. We have some wine > and cheese, and people bring their friends (usually ones that have > never been here before) and we have sample services. A paraffin dip > for Nails, Mini facials with Esti, Chair massages we even get some > reps to come in and talk about their products. (We don't do hair) then > on that night only and not a minute before the event starts, we sell > series. We do get lots of calls the day of the event, "I have to > work" or "something came up" "can I come in early and buy the > series?" "I'm a regular, just this once?" and we say no to each one > of them. They have to come to the event. You can buy 4 or 5 services > (and they are pre-determined for each department) and get the next > free, but they buy all of them that night, no refunds. Now we are > employee salon so renters would have to watch their own accounts, but > the owner averages the price out so the employee gets paid for each > service just at a discount. That way we aren't ever really doing a > "Free" service. Renters could open a seperate account and deposit the > money there, when the clients come in, then you pay yourself the > avaraged price from that account. The clients love their series. > They know they can only buy them once a year, and that is what keeps > them coming back. > > Its an idea anyway. You have to figure out what works best for you > and your clients. > > ~Tricia > > On Apr 26, 4:16 pm, Renee Parnell <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > > > > > > okay, I had something happen the other day that's just been eating at me > > and I want to blow off steam here and not in front of clients. > > I had a client that I was actually finished with but she was still sitting > > there at my table. My business partner made a comment about some tote bags > > we had discussed a day or two before, and wanted to know when they would be > > here. The client is listening to our conversation. And this is not *really* > > relevant, but in a way it is, but this particular client is almost 40, > > never been married, is an accountant with the utilities company, still > > lives with mama and daddy just like she always has, and has never had to > > worry about a thing. That being said, as she's listening to our > > conversation about getting tote bags printed with our name on them, she > > chimes in at the end saying SHE thinks it would be better advertisement if > > we would do a punch card like this salon used to do in the downtown area > > (which is now out of business, btw) and use a punch card where you got a > > free pedi after so many punches. I had to bite my friggin tongue off. First > > of all, I didn't hear anybody ask her what she thought. But I really am the > > type of person who looks at things from all perspectives, even if something > > does piss me off. AFTER I get over being pissed, I look back and TRY to > > weigh it out evenly and be objective. So, *should* we use a punch card? One > > salon where I worked (booth rent) used them and I went along with it. But > > guess what? It was only for nails! So WHY is this? I mean, this is what > > gets me....do they expect this of their stylist? So many color/cut/styles > > and you get one free? No. And as an aesthetician, I haven't ever had anyone > > ask about getting their card punched for a free facial. If they did I would > > laugh like a hyena right in their face. And for crying out loud, we are > > talking about *scrubbing their feet* for a living. And you are wanting us > > to do it for FREE after you've been here so many times? grrrrrr. I know > > it's a good incentive to give away something for free, but I swear it just > > makes me mad. So what if I have a week where EVERYBODY wants to come get > > their free pedi? What about HER work....I have to pay my power bill every > > month. Do I get one FREE after I successfully pay my bill 10 times in a > > row? > > Okay, I'm still mad but maybe I can get over it. BTW, when I initially > > started using Shellac, I did it at no extra charge for the first few months > > just to get people started using it and then told everyone that I would be > > going up due to product cost, the extra time, etc. She knew this. But every > > time she comes in with her money all counted out to the penny, (and yes, > > she does tip, EXACTLY 15%) and that's all she brings in with her. The money > > is just all rolled up in her hand and she lays it down on my table when she > > comes in. She never added the additional $10 even though she knew. Then she > > brings her mother in. She is as worrisome as the day is long. The mother > > was doing the same thing. Then one day she had to write a check. Asked me > > for the amount and I told her---she looked at me like "WHAAAT???" I > > explained that the lower price was only an introductory price and had > > changed months ago, but I had just let it slide. So now it's like a big > > deal for them to pay the extra $10 I guess. I would N E V E R go into a > > place and say something about they need to be giving away free services. It > > just steams me sitting here thinking about it. But maybe I'll get over it > > now. Like I say, I know it's a good incentive, BUT.... -- 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.
