Telling clients where you supply the extensions from?

[Katie Elizabeth hair]

Hi, since I’ve been doing extensions I’ve only ever used suppliers that offer from 5-20% and have always kept my supplier secret, I don’t add a great deal on top of the fitting cost.

But every now and then i will get clients asking what brand/supplier I use, I’m reluctant to telling them because if my clients supply their own hair I only charge £15 a row fitting (la sewn in weave method) so if they was to look on my suppliers website they could see they could save themselves a little bit.
What does everyone else say?
Or should I just be open about it?
Thanks x

 

[AcidPerm]

If you struggle with these sorts of issues, you need to keep asking yourself,

“Am I playing at doing hair or trying to build a sustainable business?”

Hopefully, that will help you decide what to do but I definitely wouldn’t choose to tell them who my supplier is.
Why not charge more for fitting costs when they supply their own hair to make it less appealing?
In the same vein, I wouldn’t apply a box dye that a client has bought although I know some hairdressers will do for a discounted price but I don’t want a reputation as a bargain basement hairdresser.

 

[Katie Elizabeth hair]

Thanks, I didn’t know if it was just me avoiding telling my clients where I supply the hair from when they ask.

I only still offer the £15 a row service because when I first started doing extensions 5 years ago I never used to supply hair, so I would loose a lot of of my old regular customers by uping my price for that service.
I just didn’t want to feel unreasonable by not telling my clients that use me to supplier their hair who my supplier is.


Thanks haircutz x

 

[AcidPerm]

I only still offer the £15 a row service because when I first started doing extensions 5 years ago I never used to supply hair, so I would loose a lot of of my old regular customers by uping my price for that service.

You’ve not increased your fitting price in 5 years for those customers?
In real terms, as the price of insurance, food, petrol, rent etc. has increased you’ve effectively given yourself a pay cut.

Have they brought you lots of additional custom? Do you offer a discount for refer a friend?
Up to you but maybe think about increasing your prices in April whilst allowing your regulars one additional fitting at the current price?

 

[Sploo]

If my clients ask me where I get the hair from I just say Brazil, Russia, sometimes Spain. Give the country of origin! If they ask which supplier ( usually after this answer they don’t!) I’m just honest and say I don’t give that information as I want to keep my beautiful hair secrets from getting into the hands of my competitors! [emoji23]

 

[Katie Elizabeth hair]

Hey! That’s exactly what I usually do I just tell them what type of hair it is.. but this one customer today was asking about my Russian option and she said “ I’m going to go with the Russian option, what brand is it?”
I was like ermmmm Russian haha, so I’m glad it’s not just me that keeps my supplier secret, I see hairdressers tagging their supplier in Instagram posts ect but I think that’s more so when your receive a bigger trade discount.
Thankyou guys x