Client asked me to drop prices!

[Holliex]

I posted my price list on here a few days ago asking your opinions and most commented back saying I were to cheap etc, Anyway, I didn't change my prices and gave them out to a lady I work with in my non beauty job. Iv been going to her house for a few weeks doing treatments - she has a very big family and lots of friends and gets me a lot of business. (she's the main reason iv just bought the gelish kit as so many people have been asking for it) - I charge £22 for gelish. She came into work today and said the girls have asked me if you will drop your prices on gelish as they can get it for £18 in the salon! I didn't no what to say! I explained that iv had to add extra on because of petrol costs and the kit has cost me so much money plus gelish isn't normally that cheap, not in the salons iv been to anyway... I thought it was really cheeky to ask me that but because I get so many clients from her I'm considering it! Or at least saying I'll charge less if there are more than 3 people wanting it! What do you think? I don't no what to do, don't really want them to go elsewhere x

[beckawall]

I cant believe she asked you to do that what a horrible position to put you in, i wouldnt drop my prices id keep them, if your giving a good service etc there isnt any need to - lets face it if they were going togo to the salon because of how cheap it is they would have already gone - they obviously like what YOU do :) x once you drop them for one person anyway eeryone will expect it, not a good road to go down x good luck xx :)

[taggyboy]

I seriously wouldn't recommend reducing prices because a client wants you to!

Do you offer a loyalty scheme at all? If not why not look into it.

Maybe offer a percentage off once they have received ex amount of visits. For example, get a stamp for everytime they have a full paying service then on 6th they get a discount.

Or something similar

[spjelgus]

Do you know what kind of service this other salon offers? Maybe it's not very good. You should go there and have gelish put on or something to check it out. If you do it better, you SHOULD charge more!

[Mobile Manicure]

I would consider a 10% discount for 3 treatments in the same house one after the other. That might be an incentive. You save on petrol anyway.

[New Nailz]

I Charge £15 for Gelish. I want to keep just below Salon costs, as the one up the road from me, charges between £20 and £25. So I need to keep lower otherwise alot of people prefer going to a salon then having a mobile Tech do it! Clients always go for the cheaper prices, and in return you get double the clients!

Just my opinion.

[umvemve]

I Charge £15 for Gelish. I want to keep just below Salon costs, as the one up the road from me, charges between £20 and £25. So I need to keep lower otherwise alot of people prefer going to a salon then having a mobile Tech do it! Clients always go for the cheaper prices, and in return you get double the clients!

Just my opinion.

Just something on that - do you not think you are too low - at £15 you are almost half price of the salon - that is not just below salon costs, it is WAY below. Also, when people charge not very much for a branded product it does tend to undermine the brand?

[CazBeautica]

It does seem very low, im mobile too and offer gelish at £25. Other salons offer different gel polish systems at generally a higher rate than me, or the same. But it gives me opportunities to do special offers and i offer a loyalty scheme x

[Beautytreats75]

I charge £15 for shellac, im mobile. If i tried to charge the reccommended £25 for a shellac manicure id get hardley any business. But being mobile im able to do it at that price

Sent from my GT-N7000 using SalonGeek

[New Nailz]

Just something on that - do you not think you are too low - at £15 you are almost half price of the salon - that is not just below salon costs, it is WAY below. Also, when people charge not very much for a branded product it does tend to undermine the brand?

You need to take into account where you live. I live in a small town, where prices are not as expensive as bigger towns and cities. If I go too high with my prices, I won't get half the clients I get now.

People keep saying about me charging low. But You need to consider what Salons in your area charge, and charge slightly lower.

[Beautygirl1977]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Think that's really cheeky. If they are happy with you they will pay it. If you do it for one you have to do it for everyone. I would stick to my guns and see what happens. It's your decision though. X

[zm85]

Personally,I wouldn't lower your prices you need to take into account fuel/products its a cheek people think you should be cheaper just because you are mobile when you are bringing a service to them! I charged £25 for shellac manicure includes removal and reapplication when mobile and people were willing to pay that for a good service that was also convenient to them and saved them travel/child care costs. But these prices reflect my area. I would be able to offer special prices and would often give a discount for 3 or more in one house etc and would get alot of referrals this way. If you have your prices set too low to start you will never make money- the products don't replace themselves! And I presume you'd want to offer a wide range of colours I know myself i'd be replacing base and top coats as much as once per week then add on petrol etc... You deserve a little money to yourself at the end of the week and not have it all go back on replacing products. As others have suggested a loyalty scheme / refer a friend scheme and special offers have all been how I gained clients in the past it worked well for me

[Unique.Tips]

Not sure how it is where u r, but if ur good, clients stick with u no matter what. I'm experiencing that now with my sudden salon change. :) loyalty is HUGE in this business and if ur good.. Charge what ur worth!

[ChicUnique]

Don't lower. I charge £20 for gelish, and I'm thinking maybe I charge too little!! The salons down the road are £22-£25, but when I tell people £20 their reaction is 'really, only £20, are you sure?' But they always come back, and they always recommend friends.they are chancing their luck. Let them go to a salon and pay £18, see how long it lasts. :) xxxx

[barefoot26]

I Charge £15 for Gelish. I want to keep just below Salon costs, as the one up the road from me, charges between £20 and £25. So I need to keep lower otherwise alot of people prefer going to a salon then having a mobile Tech do it! Clients always go for the cheaper prices, and in return you get double the clients!

Just my opinion.

Can I just ask...Do you make enough profit from this to live on?

To the OP...I don't think you should drop your prices! Ask her if she would take a pay cut from her job?! Rudeness!!

[New Nailz]

Can I just ask...Do you make enough profit from this to live on?

To the OP...I don't think you should drop your prices! Ask her if she would take a pay cut from her job?! Rudeness!!

lol yes. The Bottles are £xx including VAT and you take £15 per person. I would say I am.

Not meaning to sound rude either. But my prices are affordable, and this is what clients like. I make profit in the process. I enjoy my work, but there is no point in working if you don't make a profit!!!!

Charging anymore then £22 for colour, whether it is gel or not is just silly prices. I know I wouldn't want to pay it!!

['chelle]

I currently charge £15 for Shellac (although this is a special offer price, it will go up to £20 in the near future)

Even at £15 there is still a profit margin, and I resent the suggestion that the cheaper services are crap, my £15 shellac is just as good as anyone elses £25 service so its not always the case that you get what you pay for.

In an economy where people are having wage freezes, sometimes actual paycuts, redundancies are everywhere you can understand the consumer wanting to look after their wallet. If she has seen the same treatment elsewhere for cheaper then its not rude of her to ask if you would consider a price match, in fact it shows loyalty that she would rather give you the opportunity to continue doing her nails rather than just going to the cheaper salon which is what a lot would do. Personally if she is bringing you lots of custom I think it would be in your favour to offer her a discount, perhaps dont reduce your standard price but make a special offer whereby she and anyone she refers to you gets their nails for £xx (whatever reduced price you decide is feasible).

[thinkpink2008]

I wouldn't reduce prices as she's asked however it might be worth looking into what other geeks have suggested and seeing if they all has their nails done at same place, same time you could offer a% discount, say 10% for 3 people 15% for 5 x

[PixieBeauty]

lol yes. The Bottles are £xx including VAT and you take £15 per person. I would say I am.

Not meaning to sound rude either. But my prices are affordable, and this is what clients like. I make profit in the process. I enjoy my work, but there is no point in working if you don't make a profit!!!!

Charging anymore then £22 for colour, whether it is gel or not is just silly prices. I know I wouldn't want to pay it!!

I agree if you were just factoring in the cost of the products in the bottle, but if I include costs of travel; petrol & car maintenance & insurance, the cost of my time travelling to & fro, all the sundries we use acetone, cuticle away etc & removal, sanitising products, leaflets/marketing, tax, paying the accountant, ongoing training, mobile phone, insurance I can go on & on but I would not be making a profit, or living wage on £15. I have to add 30 mins for travel per appt. What is your hourly rate after that - that's where I work out my profit. I also think if you don't personally think the service is worth more than £15 you'll never get anyone to pay it. Xx

[PixieBeauty]

Sorry to the OP I'd tell them I do party packages of minimum 3 people or whatever & knock £2 off each but don't be dictated to I'd make out its on your terms!!

[barefoot26]

lol yes. The Bottles are £xx including VAT and you take £15 per person. I would say I am.

Not meaning to sound rude either. But my prices are affordable, and this is what clients like. I make profit in the process. I enjoy my work, but there is no point in working if you don't make a profit!!!!

Charging anymore then £22 for colour, whether it is gel or not is just silly prices. I know I wouldn't want to pay it!!

Fair play, I was just curious as I use a different product and I wouldn't make much at those prices. :D

[New Nailz]

I agree if you were just factoring in the cost of the products in the bottle, but if I include costs of travel; petrol & car maintenance & insurance, the cost of my time travelling to & fro, all the sundries we use acetone, cuticle away etc & removal, sanitising products, leaflets/marketing, tax, paying the accountant, ongoing training, mobile phone, insurance I can go on & on but I would not be making a profit, or living wage on £15. I have to add 30 mins for travel per appt. What is your hourly rate after that - that's where I work out my profit. I also think if you don't personally think the service is worth more than £15 you'll never get anyone to pay it. Xx

I don't travel much. I do alot from home, and when I do go to clients homes, it is in my home town area. So petrol isn't an issue for me. :)

[PixieBeauty]

I don't travel much. I do alot from home, and when I do go to clients homes, it is in my home town area. So petrol isn't an issue for me. :)

Fair enough - my mistake I don't know why I assumed you were mobile! For me the biggest cost factor is the travel time so if you cut that out then yes I can see the difference (but I reckon you can squeeze a few more quid out of your clients :D) Xx

[Amy bear]

If you let your clients dictate your prices now you will be doing it forever! What happens next month when she cant afford £18, she'll ask for £10! Plus it would look like you just thought of the prices of your treatments up in your head if they can be changed easily. Stand your ground, some people are just chancers xxxx

[New Nailz]

Fair enough - my mistake I don't know why I assumed you were mobile! For me the biggest cost factor is the travel time so if you cut that out then yes I can see the difference (but I reckon you can squeeze a few more quid out of your clients :D) Xx

I am mobile too, But not so often now, but it is a small town and not far to clients homes. I work from home mainly! :)

[nicole333]

To the OP, you have to ask yourself why they want YOU to drop your prices. If they were super happy at the salon that they pay £18 to, they wouldn't be interested in going with you at all. You obviously do a good job, so respect yourself and your skills to carry on charging what you have decided you are worth.

So I would stick to your guns and offer a loyalty scheme instead, as has been said. You could make it particularly special to the lady who gets you the business, in the form of referrals.

[Holliex]

Thank you for all the replies! I'm still very unsure on what to do - I forgot to add, another girl I work with is qualified in Mani/pedi & gel extensions who is also friends with this lady and used to go to her house to do these treatments for her - she used to charge £10 for everything!! Including feet/hand masks, gel nails etc so I think they may have been "spoilt" and expect me to do the same! I'm going to do a special deal something like more than 3 people in the same house get a discount. X

[shirleymcc]

Where I live most people charge £20 for gelish. I charge £18, clients say they come to me as Im cheaper than others yet they always leave the £2 tip anyway lol.

[Nila]

I understand the economy is bad and some people can't afford to pay for beauty treatments but it's bad for all of us. and besides there are always some people who just like to get everything cheap.

I agree with barefoot if I were you I would talk to them and explain that it's your job and you are trying to make a living and how would they feel if their employer says they are going to reduce their wages as they could employ someone else and pay them less to do the job, so it's their choice to stay in the job or leave!!!

I personally never go for something if I can't afford to pay for it, as simple as that.

[Devonnaydf]

Absolutely do not drop your prices, you are going to them so you need to be compensated for your gas etc. you also purchased Gelish because of her which is a big expense, you are using quality products to do your services that they can see, who knows what they are using in the salon! I also do mobile in the US and all my clients know my prices are a bit more because of travel expenses...they love the fact that they can get great nail services in the comfort of their homes! Stay firm!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SalonGeek

[Pika]

Can't remember who posted this as I am using my SG phone app, but noticed a comment stating that the client "is giving you the opportunity" to make your services cheaper so she stays with you. This kind of attitude to your business and self-worth doesn't make a business woman/man. If said client worked in tescos, would they accept what you state you should be paying for a tin of beans? No, that is a business, the price is the price, end of. If they don't want to pay an extra couple of quid for a good, professional service...there are plenty more that would :)
Ask yourself why you set up your own business in the first place....to be your own boss, work the hours you want, offer the standard of service you want? Why would you accept someone telling you how to run YOUR business that you have put the time/money and effort into setting up?

[Pika]

Just read that back to myself and appologies in advance for sounding a bit harsh! But I stand by my opinion :)
(talking from personal experience from when I first started out on my own, clients won't respect you if you let them walk over you)

[Holliex]

I have got to admit I dropped my price to £18 for gelish manicure :o I went to her house on Thursday just to do one set of gelish and when I told them I dropped my prices they all wanted it! I made nearly £80 in 3 hours plus a tip as apposed to just the one set of gelish I thought I was doing. I think iv made the right decision. Iv kept all my other original prices and added gelish rockstar at £25. X

[beautybemine15]

Thank you for all the replies! I'm still very unsure on what to do - I forgot to add, another girl I work with is qualified in Mani/pedi & gel extensions who is also friends with this lady and used to go to her house to do these treatments for her - she used to charge £10 for everything!! Including feet/hand masks, gel nails etc so I think they may have been "spoilt" and expect me to do the same! I'm going to do a special deal something like more than 3 people in the same house get a discount. X
how does she cope on 10 pound a set when its 10pound for vat alone these days:eek:

[fallonst23]

I have recently had a client who is coming into my shop (rent a room & nail bar in a very very good tanning salon) ask me to do a full set on acrylic nail enhancements using CND products for £15 ;-0 my prices start @ £25 which I think are a steal but Ive only been in the salon 8 weeks so I'm trying to build my client base.

I said no but was left feeling bad but if I started it for her then it would just snowball.

Don't give in to her it will just make a rod for your own back but as suggested give her some discount for referrals or group bookings ;-) x

['chelle]

Can't remember who posted this as I am using my SG phone app, but noticed a comment stating that the client "is giving you the opportunity" to make your services cheaper so she stays with you. This kind of attitude to your business and self-worth doesn't make a business woman/man. If said client worked in tescos, would they accept what you state you should be paying for a tin of beans? No, that is a business, the price is the price, end of. If they don't want to pay an extra couple of quid for a good, professional service...there are plenty more that would :)
Ask yourself why you set up your own business in the first place....to be your own boss, work the hours you want, offer the standard of service you want? Why would you accept someone telling you how to run YOUR business that you have put the time/money and effort into setting up?

Yes it was me that suggested that the client is giving her an opportunity. To answer your Tesco question, actually yes, if you go into Tesco and tell them you can get the same product for cheaper elsewhere then they refund you double the difference. Contrary to your opinion, listening to customer feedback and reacting to it DOES make a businessman/woman, I run my business very well, and a part of doing that means listening to your customers and reacting to feedback where necessary. that doesnt mean you roll over and knock your prices down every time someone has a whinge, but if a client who is bringing you a hell of a lot of recommendations approaches you and says she can get an identical service elsewhere for cheaper and would you consider a price match, I think its nothing short of stubborn not to consider the customers point of view and see if you can come to some sort of agreement. That client can just as easily go to the cheaper salon and take all her recommendations with her, and then you can have your prices as high as you like but you'll be earning nothing because your customers have upped and fled. The old "well Tesco's wouldn't reduce their prices" nutshell keeps getting thrown around and it always makes me laugh because actually Tesco are probably the most pro-active company out there in terms of offering value for money and price guarantee refunds, if this was bad business sense then I'm sure Tesco's wouldnt be choosing that approach.

[lelu]

It's a tricky one but pricing yourself out of your market is not likely to work. I'd rather have 10 customers at £20 than 3 customers at £25.

[Pika]

I guess it's all down to what clientele you want to have. I personally would rather have clients who want a good, professional service, not those who would rather pay a few quid less and potentially (emphasis on the word potentially, so as not to offend anybody) end up with a slightly less professional/good service. If a client leaves you to go to someone a but cheaper, that's not a loyal client in the first place so why would you want clients like that anyway? And by cutting prices down to please and keep a client, in my opinion (again sorry if this sounds offensive) just makes us seem desperate for custom. I would rather keep my diary the way it is, booked up with clients who appreciate a good service.
And yep I agree the tesco comment I made maybe wasn't the best comparison. A tin of beans is a consumable item, whereas what we offer is years of training, knowledge and expertise :)

[Pika]

And as has been mentioned before, rewarding loyal clients, I have found this to be the most beneficial way for me. I have 'recommend a friend' vouchers whereby the original client recieves a % off for each friend she recommends and I also run a loyalty scheme. Works very well for getting new custom and keeping my clients.
In the 6 years I have been self employed I have only ever been asked for a discount once, and I didn't succumb to this request. And in the years previous to this whilst working in salons, I never heard of anybody trying to make us 'price match' so why is it acceptable to ask us freelancers to do as such?
And as for keeping prices 'high' and clients leaving, I put my prices up each year accordingly and don't lose any clients, only the odd one throughout the year who find it cheaper elsewhere but these are the clients that I don't want.

[Lady Murasaki]

I would never let my clients dictate my rates, once start down that slippery slope you will be for ever at their mercy as they soon be unhappy with the £18 they are paying and want more off.

Also by reducing your rates it shows that you dont belive in or value your rates either or the standard of serivce you are offering to them.

Their school of thought will be 'if you've done it before then you can do it can if you really want to us as clients'.

So in the short term this price drop my work for you, however in the long term it may cause you nothing but problems.

Business is about working smarter rather than harder and by reducing your rates you may end up having to work harder to obtain the same yield you were getting when you were charging more.

Also where you set your rates can dictate the type of clients you get i.e my rates are one of the highest for wedding hair/makeup in my area however i dont get 'cheap clients' or clients with 'lots of baggage'.

Also because of what I charge I'm not busting my balls every fri, sat etc doing weddings for little return like my competiors who charge a lot, lot less and do the same amount of weddings that i do.

[Beccysnails]

They are cheeky to do that. It is hard work driving out to clients. Look after yourself, not enough of us women do, we always sell ourselves short. I know I do but I am improving on that. Do a loyalty program or something - if they don't like that them they need to go to the "cheaper" cheap-ass salon. I don't know why they didn't do that as soon as they saw the cheaper price??
X

[Beccysnails]

They are cheeky to do that. It is hard work driving out to clients. Look after yourself, not enough of us women do, we always sell ourselves short. I know I do but I am improving on that. Do a loyalty program or something - if they don't like that them they need to go to the "cheaper" cheap-ass salon. I don't know why they didn't do that as soon as they saw the cheaper price??
X

[besthands]

I cant believe she asked you to do that what a horrible position to put you in, i wouldnt drop my prices id keep them, if your giving a good service etc there isnt any need to - lets face it if they were going togo to the salon because of how cheap it is they would have already gone - they obviously like what YOU do :) x once you drop them for one person anyway eeryone will expect it, not a good road to go down x good luck xx :)

I agree 100%, how about instead of lowering your price you offer a free "spa hand massage" included with their service? You cant go backwards hon. But you can add value to your service at no cost to you. Just a thought, i'd hate to see you taken advantage of... call her bluff you can always give in later if you feel you need to.

[Holliex]

Like I said I have reduced the price of gelish only and it worked in my favour. Iv had loads more bookings since and they keep coming back. This lady brings me a lot of business and at the moment I already have a full time job so I look at this as extra money I'm still adding to my kit so most of the money I'm earning from her and her family Is helping but the rest of the things I want. Shes also asked if I will think about getting minx which I no as soon as I do there will be a lot of her family and friends wanting it - the money I make from all the gelish apps will go towards buying minx which I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise x

[Holliex]

how does she cope on 10 pound a set when its 10pound for vat alone these days:eek:

The girl that did this was just doing it for a favour I think, She wasn't interested in making any extra money As she already has a full time job and I think she was just using the rest of her collage kit. She's not interested in doing it any more hence why iv took her place - I'm not complaining! Lol x

[zm85]

Like I said I have reduced the price of gelish only and it worked in my favour. Iv had loads more bookings since and they keep coming back. This lady brings me a lot of business and at the moment I already have a full time job so I look at this as extra money I'm still adding to my kit so most of the money I'm earning from her and her family Is helping but the rest of the things I want. Shes also asked if I will think about getting minx which I no as soon as I do there will be a lot of her family and friends wanting it - the money I make from all the gelish apps will go towards buying minx which I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise x

You have already reduced the price of gelish and they're already asking about another treatment that they can try and get for a knockoff price?!
Where does it end? I had clients like this and although the money was nice and it helped me start up and build my kit in the beginning they expected add ons for free and if you can do that for this price can you add this on for a fiver etc. sometimes I'd be there all day/night and although the moneys great at the time it's just not worth it when i did my year end books i could see where id went wrong! You still deserve something even if you're not doing it for the money you're giving up your free time. A friend of mine did mobile spray tanning in her spare time and ended up having to give it up because the price of the spray tan solution had went up so much since she started but didn't increase her prices and she charged £20 which is the higher end charge. You will soon get sick of working for nothing

[nicole333]

Like I said I have reduced the price of gelish only and it worked in my favour. Iv had loads more bookings since and they keep coming back. This lady brings me a lot of business and at the moment I already have a full time job so I look at this as extra money I'm still adding to my kit so most of the money I'm earning from her and her family Is helping but the rest of the things I want. Shes also asked if I will think about getting minx which I no as soon as I do there will be a lot of her family and friends wanting it - the money I make from all the gelish apps will go towards buying minx which I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise x

I have a feeling this is only going to go one way, but I hope I am proven wrong.

[Holliex]

You have already reduced the price of gelish and they're already asking about another treatment that they can try and get for a knockoff price?!
Where does it end? I had clients like this and although the money was nice and it helped me start up and build my kit in the beginning they expected add ons for free and if you can do that for this price can you add this on for a fiver etc. sometimes I'd be there all day/night and although the moneys great at the time it's just not worth it when i did my year end books i could see where id went wrong! You still deserve something even if you're not doing it for the money you're giving up your free time. A friend of mine did mobile spray tanning in her spare time and ended up having to give it up because the price of the spray tan solution had went up so much since she started but didn't increase her prices and she charged £20 which is the higher end charge. You will soon get sick of working for nothing

She hasn't asked me to drop the price of minx. In fact iv told her my price today and she's booked in along with another 3 people she knows as soon as she told them. X

[Holliex]

I have a feeling this is only going to go one way, but I hope I am proven wrong.

I'm sure you will be :)

[besthands]

In the end your the one in front of the client and your "read" of them is much more important than any of our ideas. As long as you feel your being adequately compensated for your professional work then its all good. Just may sure your not going to work for less than your worth! Good Luck!! :)

[Holliex]

In the end your the one in front of the client and your "read" of them is much more important than any of our ideas. As long as you feel your being adequately compensated for your professional work then its all good. Just may sure your not going to work for less than your worth! Good Luck!! :)

Thank you x

[Pooh8bear]

Do you not feel like you will have to drop your price now for all your Gelish clients?

If the word gets out to your other clients that you do it for a lower price for them, your other clients will not be happy.

[Holliex]

Do you not feel like you will have to drop your price now for all your Gelish clients?

If the word gets out to your other clients that you do it for a lower price for them, your other clients will not be happy.

I have dropped my prices for my other gelish clients x