A Big Hello (and cheekily ... a question!)

[ally-mac]

Hi Geeks!
I planned to come on and introduce myself. My names Ally and I'm a nail technician. I have used this site for a while to see what advice people had to offer and I never got round to registering but I made a point of taking some 'me' time and doing it!

I firstly just wanted to say a big hello to all fellow geeks and also say a huge thank you as this site really is wonderful and filled with great advice.

Sometimes being a mobile tech (which I am) you can feel very alone and judge yourself over how you handle certain situations and of course judge your own quality of work. It's reassuring to know that many others have the same insecurities when not based in a salon and great to get sound advice from others who have 'been there' before.

This actually brings me on to my question .. (apologies as I'm so new to this I don't want to appear cheeky by chancing my arm and asking for advice so soon!) .. but I have been asked if I can fit a girl in on Saturday morning which I could definitely do however I have since found out she is a 'self taught nail technician' with her own website and operating in the same city as me. She is rather proud of her 'self taught' status which makes me rather mad.

This girl would like glitter tips which I was excited to do as I really enjoy it but this is a service she doesn't actually offer at the moment so I'm a bit worried that she is going to be checking how they are done to then offer the service elsewhere.

I had a really bad feeling from the minute I got the booking (before I knew anything about her being self taught) and now I can't believe it. She could really do some long term damage and I can't help feel deflated that some of us work hard to get qualified, use decent products and then find someone offering cheap services as a self taught tech?

Sorry to rant there I suppose my question is .... what would you guys do in this situation? Take the booking? Or politely decline?

Thanks in advance xxxx

 

[naturalnails]

Difficult one. Personally I would rather have competition that was super great than someone who is terrible - this way the standard of our industry stays high - hope that makes sense.

If you dont fit her in then she will go somewhere else.

I woud give her a set of your very best fantastic glitter nails and be as professional as possible and hopefully she will go away thinking OMG I could never be as good as her (you).

 

[Emo]

If I were u i would treat her like every other client and let on you know nothing about her. Do the nails and take her money and leave it at that.
If she wants to be silly enough to go round doin nails without any proper qualifcations well thats her problem. God forbid she did damage to anyone, sure she wouldn't be covered by insurance if shes "self taught".
Yeah she probably will be checking out what your doing and taking mental notes. Theres not a lot really you can do about that, well except maybe cancel the appointment! I'm sure it happens alot it's just that you know what this girls background is.
Its up to you what u do, but personaly, I would just do the job and leave it at that. You never know, she might become a regular client!

 

[kellyyork]

Hi ally-mac I had the same sort of situation a few months ago.
Lady who actually lived about 10 houses down from the salon came in and booked for minx toe nails with me. Turns out she was a Biosculpture tech who did only that. Anyway, I did her toes, she asked loads of questions and I knew what she was up too.
Two days later i noticed when i drove past her house that she was advertising minx nails! She'd obviously had the kit and just wanted to be shown what to do.
I was a bit miffed at the time, especially as her prices were £10.00 a set less than mine.
But you know what...... Ive not lost a single client to her. Just do what you do to the best of your ability and dont worry about it. xxx

 

[Anna Lee]

I would book her in, do her nails and take her money.

At the end of the day, there are thousands of tech all over the country, we can't really be sitting around worrying about others taking away our business all the time. But what we CAN do, is to keep bettering ourselves so others need to run another mile before they can catch up with our own work.

Clients are not stupid. They go for the best their money can buy. If we want to beat competition, then we need to make better nails.

If you don't do her nails, she will only find someone else. The bottom line is, if she wants to see how it is done, she will be able to see whether it is from you or anyone else, so why not just do them anyway. Like already mentioned, she may be genuine and you may end up with a long term client.

 

[Mrs Geek]

Book her in and every time she asks a question about how you are doing something or why, simply tell her you would be happy to give her the details of the training you did if she wants to learn.:twisted:

You never know... the professional in you could persuade her to actually achieve some proper training.

 

[mizzy_dizzy]

I agree do it , take the money and go, after all if it is to see how you do it well anyone could go and look on you tube or other sites at the countless tutorials available but seeing or reading how to's doesn't always mean you can do it dose it?
I mean even after initial training we all had to practice ect ,
Out of interest what do you use gel or L&P maybe you could pre mix it and take it with you that way she would miss that part,

 

[ally-mac]

Thanks so much for all your advice guys I really appreciate it! My family and friends have said don't do it but I kinda need the cash for car repairs and as some of you said-if I don't do it, someone else will! I may aswell make some cash out of it

I think I'm just worried as she operates in the same area and has very very low prices but at least my clients know I'm fully qualified and fully insured!

Its just so frustrating for those of us who work hard to earn qualifications and build up a business when others are not this way inclined (yet seem to do pretty well from it!)

Thanks so much for all your advice xxx
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[ally-mac]

Sorry Mizzy_Dizzy I totally missed your question there! I use acrylic for glitter tips unless someone specifically asks for gel. I think ill contact her and ask what colour she's after and pre mix - sneaky! xx
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