Mate rates?

[SunSpray]

I have printed out a Mates Rates price list and last year handed it out to family & closest friends all in all about 8 people of which only 1 comes for everything from Enhancements, waxing & tanning she comes on a regular basis, she does have to fit in with me and if I need to cancel her to do a full paying client I do.

I love this idea of creating at Mates' Rates price list.

My only concern is that the price list might be seen by others (by accident even) which could cause a bit of awkwardness if a mate's mate saw it and expected the same prices. I guess the mates who are given this price list would have to swear to secrecy !!!

I'm very, very tempted to create one, but to be honest I think I'd have to create two lists - one for my sister and a couple of really close friends, then one for less close friends, some of whom I know would like a spray tan but can't justify the price.
xx

 

[Saya]

Everyones a friend, thats how you build a relationship in this industry. I've learn't that the only reason why you want to do treatments on your friends is so that they spread the word.
I have had 2 close friends who had free treatments.
Giving free treatments to close friends didn't work, because whilst they spread the word, they showed too much thrill in the fact that they got it for free, which in turn lead to their friends thinking they deserve some sort freebie/ discount also.
Also, i found that it was draining on my products and time, because they would book themselves in nearly everyday for their nails, eyebrows, waxing etc, even when they didn't really need to, it was just too easy for them. It took available booking time from paying clients.
So I started getting my staff to to charge them half price, which they took with full offence. One of them has stopped coming in and the other one waits for me to turn up, at the end of day, as I couldn't possibly take money from her.
Neither of them are spreading the good word, which, as best friends, they should be doing anyway regardless of getting treatments or not.
I have finally learnt to value full paying clients more than my friends during business hours.
If you want to supplement your friendship with no other gain, freebies to friends are sweet and give you practice and timepass, but remember it is pure goodwill, and will NOT further your business in anyway.

 

[blush09]

ive done a couple bridal makeups for friends, but have made it clear its my wedding gift to them!
i still charge for the mothers, bridesmaids etc ..
i dont lose any other clients over it, as wouldnt have been working on a friends wedding day anyway, but i have to make sure im pretty much good to go myself, lol
im glad found this thread, as im planning to train in cpl beauty treatments, the subject had crossed my mind and i was actually planning to offer ongoing reduced rates to friends - but as someone else pointed out, its a business not a hobby so i think i wil only offer freebies and reduced rates whilst training / practicing and let them know there will be a cut off point when i will start charging the going rate
will lt my mum and sister have freebies though!

 

[SunSpray]

If you want to supplement your friendship with no other gain, freebies to friends are sweet and give you practice and timepass, but remember it is pure goodwill, and will NOT further your business in anyway.

I think this is a great piece of advice.

I only really do fantastically-reduced prices for my sister and two close friends and when I think about it, it hasn't really lead to any further business. But you've made me think about it differently now.

In my head I'm not going to call it "a favour" any more, but "a gift" instead, and this means I won't be expecting anything in return. The only thing I will ask for is their discretion when discussing prices with their friends!

So thanks Saya !! xx

 

[lucyboo]

i do give "mates rates" to close friends & one of my friends is a hairdresser so she never pays for her nails & i never pay for mine or the kids hair!! but we work round each other, i've had a cut one day then the colour the next!!! lol

 

[Saya]

Woo hoo! I gave good advice! : )
No problemo, it's a toughie for all of us lovely people, but you gotta take your business seriously & so should your friends.

 

[Sharkster]

A friend gives no discount on treatments, but does on product sales. Which I think is a fair deal.

Mat

Ditto this. If I'm giving up my time then they pay full price.

Only exception is my Mum who has a weekly Spa Manicure an in exchange I make her do all my ironing (I chain her to the ironing board and stand over her with a whip!)

 

[ukfaye]

Ditto this. If I'm giving up my time then they pay full price.

Only exception is my Mum who has a weekly Spa Manicure an in exchange I make her do all my ironing (I chain her to the ironing board and stand over her with a whip!)

Lol is that the way to do it, might have to try that!! Xxx

 

[jo1983]

I work from home, so my pricelist is very reasonable all ready, so I refuse to give mates rates. I will however give free upgrades like free sparkles on toes or parfin wax with manicures.
I did however have one friend who booked in for a facial, manicure, pedicure, leg, bikini & brow wax. And had the cheek to ask for all her treatments for FREE!!!!!!!!!! I immediantly explained that it was not possible as it was taking up my time & products, and that I could quite easily fill up her appointment with a paying client! :irked:

 

[TheBack&Beyond]

I think I've posted on this before - none of my mates want me to wax their scrotums or shafts - but I think I would offer some discount if they asked.

From a marketing POV - their loyalty and word-of-mouth may be far more valuable to me than the 3-5 quid it'd cost me.

Jason.

 

[Lynne Baker]

The only person who's ever expected, and all but insisted on, freebies is my mother, and she tries to take the p!ss. It saddens me enormously and what's worse is she brings her friends for a "little treat" and then expects me to just cover the product costs. We've had to have words about it.

 

[ADiva1]

Its a tricky one isn't it - with friends. I think you need to let them know at first that there are no mates rates.

One of my friends booked in with me on Friday to get her nails done. Instead of getting her purse out at the end of the treatment, she said, oh, I brought you a present. I didn't want a present, it wasn't my birthday - I wanted to be paid.

I will be fully booked the next time she calls!

Another still owes me for a treatment - as they didnt have enough money at the time.

However the majority of my friends pay me so thats not bad.