Told by a client on Facebook they have found a new hairdresser!

[pinksmurff]

I'm sure that most of us like myself did not mean to offend you when we said about service or offers etc. It was just a few ideas as you had said "you had lost a handful of clients to cheaper salons" and that "you were struggling to build up". As I said before we all loose at least 10% a year. I don't think you should waste your time over thinking this however equally I don't think you should slate a client who was a regular and letting you know that she for now is going elsewhere. You never know she might come back to you. I suppose though we all work our clients and run out businesses differently. This is just my view.

 

[Hair1986]

No it's ok I pinksmurff am not offended at all. Was just responding to the comments honestly.

I don't think you should waste your time over thinking this however equally I don't think you should slate a client who was a regular and letting you know that she for now is going elsewhere. You never know she might come back to you.

Where have I slated my client ?

I have typed some of the things she has said in the past which have been rude - so my interpretation is she is a rude person in general - or - does not realise she is being rude therefore isn't quite the full ticket. That's not slating her - I am not that way inclined.

I don't really see how anyone can find sending a message on Facebook saying they are not coming back anything other than spiteful. There is no reason to send the message unless you want to be spiteful. Certainly won't be welcoming her back.

 

[satchel]

Be glad you don't have that negative energy in your chair anymore!

 

[Hair1986]

Be glad you don't have that negative energy in your chair anymore!

Yes! 100%.

 

[BerksStylist]

It's that 'moon on a stick' attitude that way too many clients have adopted recently. I was salon quality work at box dye prices. I had one client turn round to me and say "wow £56 (2 full cuts and finishes) in an hour and a half - bet you can't moan at that!" After I mentioned my tax, petrol, gown washing, time spent slogging my guts out at under minimum wage and all my insurances she soon shut up!!

 

[virtues2011]

.. and on the flip side of the coin I'm glad I don't have a stylist like this! Loads of these sorts of threads are from hairdressers and how they don't like negative clients, with the attitude of sack them, get rid of them, 'I'm not doing that' . ... I'm not surprised some businesses fail just through the mentality of the owner. It's a business. Take the rough with the smooth. We all get rude clients along with the lovely ones. That's life.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[happyfeet]

I've re read the message she sent and am I being daft, but I don't see how she was rude or spiteful.

At best isn't it better to know that her leaving you is nothing to do with you and your skills, but everything to do with her financial situation. Yes frustrating that you already offer her discounts and shes still gone elsewhere, but you know youve done your very best and she's not leaving you because she's not happy with your work. Least you're not sitting round questioning yourself. She didn't have to tell you anything. The fact is some folk are watching their pennies- sign of times and all part of the business.

At worst- she's putting out the feelers to see if you'll go lower. Again a sign of the times, whether we like it or not (and I don't from a business perspective lol) some of us do look around for a bargain and that goes for every industry.

At Christmas I used another hairdresser, my preference is usually a mobile hairdresser, but hubby treated me and sent me to a salon. There was no difference in the cost, he just wanted me to get out of the house and experience a salon. I've just booked in with my mobile hairdresser again and I never got the impression that she was cross that I had gone elsewhere.

The fact is clients are free to go wherever they choose. I think as someone said earlier, people go to different hairdressers or whomever sometimes due to cost, sometimes for a change and for many other reasons too.

Don't take it to heart honey, you know its not you or your skills- the hardest part for you is to get over the loss of earnings from her and probably thats what is really bothering you. It's easy for us to look back at a client and think well yeah she was like this, that and the other, but sometimes we do this for a bit of self preservation, when in fact it's the lack money that has actually upset us.

Xx


Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek mobile app

 

[Hair1986]

Oh wow... reading through some of this is making me laugh. Do some people come on here for arguments or something? Virtues 2011 - you said 'I'm glad I don't have a stylist like you' what on earth?

'I'm not surprised some businesses fail because of the owner' ???? I wish you the best of luck in life Virtues 2011!

 

[Hair1986]

I've re read the message she sent and am I being daft, but I don't see how she was rude or spiteful.

At best isn't it better to know that her leaving you is nothing to do with you and your skills, but everything to do with her financial situation. Yes frustrating that you already offer her discounts and shes still gone elsewhere, but you know youve done your very best and she's not leaving you because she's not happy with your work. Least you're not sitting round questioning yourself. She didn't have to tell you anything. The fact is some folk are watching their pennies- sign of times and all part of the business.

At worst- she's putting out the feelers to see if you'll go lower. Again a sign of the times, whether we like it or not (and I don't from a business perspective lol) some of us do look around for a bargain and that goes for every industry.

At Christmas I used another hairdresser, my preference is usually a mobile hairdresser, but hubby treated me and sent me to a salon. There was no difference in the cost, he just wanted me to get out of the house and experience a salon. I've just booked in with my mobile hairdresser again and I never got the impression that she was cross that I had gone elsewhere.

The fact is clients are free to go wherever they choose. I think as someone said earlier, people go to different hairdressers or whomever sometimes due to cost, sometimes for a change and for many other reasons too.

Don't take it to heart honey, you know its not you or your skills- the hardest part for you is to get over the loss of earnings from her and probably thats what is really bothering you. It's easy for us to look back at a client and think well yeah she was like this, that and the other, but sometimes we do this for a bit of self preservation, when in fact it's the lack money that has actually upset us.

Xx


Sent from my GT-I9300 using SalonGeek mobile app

Very true the clients custom is what bothers me but as other people have said it is swings and roundabouts! For every customer who goes somewhere cheaper a new one comes along luckily.

But I do see her sending me a message to tell me she is going somewhere else is a spiteful thing to do. and uneccessary.

And my reason for saying she is rude - she has said many personal things to me in the chair about me personally but I have bit my tongue and been professional, she genuinely isn't a nice piece of work. That's why when she asked if I wanted to socialise with her, I politely declined!

 

[persianista]

Don't take any notice of what non-hairdressers say.

The best thing to do in your situation is....nothing.

It leaves the door open if she wants to come back.
It robs her of her little ego/power trip if she expects you to beg.
It's a subtle way of asserting yourself over her previous rudeness.

I've had clients do similar things. I never, ever respond. Some come back, some don't.
I also concur with the view of not offering discounts. Have a follow of Michael Cole on Facebook, he explains it all far better than I can.
I've never ever discounted, and I never will. I'm also central London trained. They taught us well, didn't they? Be the best, and charge properly for it.

Clients are like boyfriends, you sometimes have to kiss a few frogs before you get the clientele who appreciate you.
Good luck. Mwah x

 

[Hair1986]

Don't take any notice of what non-hairdressers say.

The best thing to do in your situation is....nothing.

It leaves the door open if she wants to come back.
It robs her of her little ego/power trip if she expects you to beg.
It's a subtle way of asserting yourself over her previous rudeness.

I've had clients do similar things. I never, ever respond. Some come back, some don't.
I also concur with the view of not offering discounts. Have a follow of Michael Cole on Facebook, he explains it all far better than I can.
I've never ever discounted, and I never will. I'm also central London trained. They taught us well, didn't they? Be the best, and charge properly for it.

Clients are like boyfriends, you sometimes have to kiss a few frogs before you get the clientele who appreciate you.
Good luck. Mwah x

Best comment by far! Will have a look on facebook for this guy. Thanks!

I think I am going to leave this post where it is now.. thanks to all who have given me some friendly advice! Its unfortunate when people are behind the computer screen and say things like "No wonder businesses fail" goodness me.