Anyone fed up with clients taking the mic and trying to get freebies?

[hollydolly]

I did a set of nails on a girl and her sister last week, and she text me earlier and said that she wasnt happy with hers now (her sisters are fine), and when I said I would come and sort them out free for her she said
'OH DONT WORRY, I WILL LEAVE THEM ON AND YOU CAN DO MY HAIR FOR FREE INSTEAD AS IM GOING OUT THE WEEKEND'
If they're so bad, why keep them on? why didn't she tell me at the time she wasn't happy instead of waiting a week??

GRRRRR sorry about the moan, this is the first time its happened to me, but I know some friends who have clients just complaining because they want a freebie!
I understand that things do go wrong sometimes, and in those cases it is forgivable but I was just wondering if anyone else has had any clients like this, as it's knocked my confidece abit =[

 

[Verve Designs]

You'll get used to it. Just think about the 99% of people who are normal and honourable.

I wouldnt let it knock your confidence- its inevitable really- and its one of those things about working for yourself that sucks. If you were working for a massive corportation im sure it wouldnt affect you as much!

However, in some cases don't feel as if you can't stand up for your own corner and put your foot down. DON'T get a reputation as an easy touch. Just use your judgement about a genunie concern and someone whos just looking for a freebie. This is business- not a hobby.

Incidentally- tell that girl you'll do her hair after you've removed the nails she doesnt like. Call her bluff.

****Also- this is a public forum that anyone can read- so be careful who you're complaining about! Especially if people can figure out who you are!****

 

[beccie1011]

Hi Holly

I had a client exactly like this, i was discussing it in a thread the other week, she was a young girl that wanted nail extensions which i did and throughout the treatment i kept asking her are they ok for her, 2 days later she rang the salon and said one of her nails had 'pinged' off so i told her to come back and i would put it on, it turns out she had had it re-put back on at one of the Thai places it was a completely different nail application, she brough her mum in and said that she didnt like her nails and they werent the ones she wanted, bearing in mind i had showed her the different tips i did and she was happy with the ones i was doing. Anyway to cut a long story short she wanted a refund which i gave to her as it was my 1st proper client, looking back i wish i hadnt give her a refund and i dont think you should do the same!

You did her nails not her hair so yes it does sound like she is after a refund, i would put her straight that you are happy to touch up her nails but you wont touch her hair (In a nicer way of course lol)

My client did exactly the same and kept her nails on, in my opinion if i didnt like what i had on i wouldnt keep them.

Hope this helps

 

[hollydolly]

Thanks guys its just a pain in the bum! lol xx

 

[BABSann]

Simple answer is they couldn't have been that bad or she wouldn't have wanted them left on.Dont let it worry you cherub'I wouldn't offer anything free until I had seen the problem,deduced it was my fault and then we would go from there.As for the free hairdo....No way

 

[wendy malley]

if someone really had made a mess of your nails you wouldn't want them anywhere near your hair in case they made a mess of your hair as well .so yes, she's trying it on i hope you get it sorted out and your confidence back. good luck

 

[geeg]

Look, no one likes these moments but you really do have to stand your ground or people will walk over you.

I don't do anything for free unless it is my choice .. a client will certainly not get freebies out of me by asking for it. I have a little sign that says

LIKE THE CHINA STORE ... HERE BREAKAGES HAVE TO BE PAID FOR​

 

[beccie1011]

Haha very good signage Geeg, love it

 

[Emily9]

I did a set of nails on a girl and her sister last week, and she text me earlier and said that she wasnt happy with hers now (her sisters are fine), and when I said I would come and sort them out free for her she said
'OH DONT WORRY, I WILL LEAVE THEM ON AND YOU CAN DO MY HAIR FOR FREE INSTEAD AS IM GOING OUT THE WEEKEND'
If they're so bad, why keep them on? why didn't she tell me at the time she wasn't happy instead of waiting a week??

I would never offer to do anything for free until i had seen the nails for myself. This will always determine within seconds if it's genuine, the ones that aren't will soon make an excuse for you not to see them or make some sort of hassle.

I would have a look at them, but if it had been a week since, i'd say that is far to long to go, if she wasn't happy she should of said at the appointment or contacted you with in the first 24/48 hours.

As you said i think she was more than trying it on.

 

[foxylocks]

I had a similar thing with hair extensions. I did my first head of fusion extensions (I told the client this before she booked, and she was happy)

She text me three days after I did them and said that most of them had 'fallen out' (very unlikely) and that she wanted weft extensions putting in. I said I'd be happy to apply weft extensions for the cost of the hair (which I exagerrated). She then decided that she was happy as she was.

Plus, my friend saw her the following day, and said that her extensions looked lovely!!

 

[persianista]

I think confidence and experience helps you spot the try ons from the genuine problems. I never jump in with a remedy, I just ask to see the problem asap. 9 times out of 10 if the complaint is genuine, people are keen to get it sorted. If they are trying it on for a freebie, they will not be so keen to be seen quickly.
I your instance I would have said "the nails are the problem here, which I need to sort. I am more than happy to remove them for you FOC, however we have no problems with your hair, so that will be chargeable as normal. What would you like me to do to rectify your nails?"

 

[Susie H]

When I first started, I have a bit of this and I came on here, did a lot of reading and put my prices up.
My clients became a bit older, came back for rebalances and gave me a tip.
The ones who found out my weakness for good coffee took to bringing me a cup.
It's always the worry that if you charge to much you won't have any clients, but, for me it's a bigger worry that if I don't charge enough I'll have the clients who don't care and are always looking to pull a fast one.
Breath deep, and if she's cheeky enough to call you for another apointment, tell her politely that since her last appointment your annual price increase has come into affect and she will be paying £5 more this time.
She'll either swallow it and you're in pocket or she'll splutter and realise she's been outed:lol: