Booked Flirties course now a little worried

[lu-B-lu]

I'm doing my Flirties lash training in a couple of weeks & am really really REALLY excited about it.... so much so that Im struggling to sleep at night !!
I've been desperate to do lash extensions for ages, and some of my existing clients are very keen to try them too.

My only worry is that last week a friend of mine invited me to join a beauty group on FB, it's a lady (who only lives about 3 miles from me), she has a home based salon too & is offering semi perm lash extensions, but whilst reading her info i came across this:

"Im a fully trained lash tech and offer this fab service for just £40 a set...a fraction of the price high street salons are charging"

£40!???

It doesnt say what products she uses or whether this is just an introductory offer. But i get the feeling it isn't.

I realise that to start with I wont be charging much more than this, but was hoping to put my prices up once I reach a good standard. Now Im just a little worried that Im not going to be able to compete with this kind of pricing. Primarily I wanted to do lash extensions A) Because I love them & B) I was hoping to make some good money from them.

Have any of you lash geeks had the same sort of issue?

If so, has it affected how you price yours or do you find you can still charge the £75-£100+ ish and people will come to you for your good reputation & skill rather than worrying about the cost?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I've just realised I've given war & peace a run for its money! (sorry) :hug: xx

 

[Miss Pink23]

It is hard when someone within a close radius is offering the same service at a much lower rate than yourself, but competition is healthy even if a little annoying.
The way I look at it is, reputation will speak far more than price, but also bear in mind that there is A LOT of profit from eyelash extensions. Even at £40 a massive chunk of that will still be profit and like you said, she has not said what products she is using.
Check your area and see what other people are offering and sit somewher near the middle edging towards the top.
hth's

 

[cabinkel]

I have to disagree and say that there isnt "a lot" of profit in a full set of lashes at £40!! Ok, product wise you may be looking at a few pounds, but if you are doing a full set, that can be 2 hours, plus 15 mins consultation. Take away the heating/lighting of the room, change of bed covering after the client, so washing the towels/throwing the couch roll etc, (whatever you use), products etc, there isnt a lot of profit there for 2 and half hour work!

I would say do not get drawn into a price war. set your price and stick with it, (obviously when totaly confident). Have a look at what other local competitors are charging to see if she is the norm or not. Special and introductory offers are great while you are building your skills and business, but dont sell yourself short:hug:

 

[lu-B-lu]

Thanks Michelle!
I guess these are the trials & tribulations of running your own business! But yes, i agree, competition is healthy & Im going to give it my best bloomin' shot!
I've had a look around and I know the salon up the road are charging £55, but as far as Im aware these two are the only other businesses offering lashes in my area. Thats why i cant understand why they aren't charging more! Hey ho not to worry, onwards and upwards as they say!
x

 

[Halls of Ivy]

This is becoming a common problem in the industry.

Years ago when lashes first arrived on the scene therapists were charging 150+ for the service... .now its such a competitive market.

Its crazy to think therapists would offer low prices ongoing.... it is just not finacially viable... the service takes 1hr 30 to 2hrs, minus your product!

Im am concerned the service becoming so competitive will knock itself out the market... how cheap are people going to go.... i know of a therapist offering full sets for £30.00.

Some new lash technicians charge lower to start with but i know of many that maintain very low prices x

 

[TweezerHappy]

I was doing an introductory price of £50. I had a voicemail from someone enquiring about lashes. By the time I called her back she had booked with another salon. They were charging £100. I got the impression that she thought they would be much better than me as they were double the price. Having a higher/lower price can work both ways.

 

[Bonkers]

I totally agree that people often look at prices and think 'why are they so cheap'

Its the same with everything, I stopped doing nails as the nss salons in town only charge £10 a set but I WILL NOT drop my price just because there is a mobile therapist offering cheaper lashes than me, I just inform clients when they phone prior to booking that my price reflects the quality or my work, the quality in products I use, and my reputation. I usually fnd people go to others and then come to me and stay with me.

Dont worry about it you will have a lovely day training and have fun.

 

[BABSann]

I know a lady(ex client of mine)who is charging £35 for lash extensions,she has only recently qualified and when talking to her I said she needs to be very careful because in all honesty if she is only charging that price at the moment how will she ever justify putting her prices up to a more realistic cost?I think a lot of clients wont come back personally.It's important to set a realistic chage right from the offset.Maybe knock a tenner off initially whilst your becoming more competent and getting faster but make sure it clearly states that this will only be temporary.

The lady down the road will not be able to make much money charging those prices,that's £16 an hour pre tax and products....She will have big problems putting her prices up.

 

[Miss Pink23]

I do agree that to start low and then up your peices is difficult, especially if you have gained some regulars in that time.
Although I do have to disagree with sassy lashes n that there is not a lot of profit in eyelashes. I appreciate there is more to take into consideration if you have a salon-home based or not, but mobile-I am making a killing and I charge £50 a set. I have worked it out down to the drop of sealant used at the end and I can say the profit for a 2 hour job is bloody good-much better than you would ever get working for someone else.
Good luck lu-B-lu and enjoy your new venture.
x

 

[cabinkel]

This is becoming a common problem in the industry.

Years ago when lashes first arrived on the scene therapists were charging 150+ for the service... .now its such a competitive market.

Its crazy to think therapists would offer low prices ongoing.... it is just not finacially viable... the service takes 1hr 30 to 2hrs, minus your product!

Im am concerned the service becoming so competitive will knock itself out the market... how cheap are people going to go.... i know of a therapist offering full sets for £30.00.

Some new lash technicians charge lower to start with but i know of many that maintain very low prices x

Totaly agree!! Its ridiculous to be charging so little for a specialised service! Good techs should and do comand the money they are entitled to. I personaly wouldnt want to work for £40 minus costs, for 2 and half hours. £30 is just criminal (and Im def not expensive)

 

[jotommo]

I do agree that to start low and then up your peices is difficult, especially if you have gained some regulars in that time.
Although I do have to disagree with sassy lashes n that there is not a lot of profit in eyelashes. I appreciate there is more to take into consideration if you have a salon-home based or not, but mobile-I am making a killing and I charge £50 a set. I have worked it out down to the drop of sealant used at the end and I can say the profit for a 2 hour job is bloody good-much better than you would ever get working for someone else.
Good luck lu-B-lu and enjoy your new venture.
x

i agree... i have upped mine to £40 and feel i make a good profit, as i am a hairdresser i feel more profit is made with the 2 hours doing this than 2 hours doing full head foils ect,,,, as the outgoings are more for hair!
lets face it we don't make alot of money as a proffesion,,, its why most stylists in salons are on low wage!!!!

 

[kezza*]

The people charging £30 properly take an hour and thats why they are cheaper. I have a client who does eyelash extension and she does them in an hour and charges £38. she works in a salon and is self employed she works 50/50 and provides her own products and she makes a good profit even on that.
I'd like to do eyelash extension's and once I can get the time down to an hour then that's what I will charge.
They are no rules as to what we charge we charge what we want.
I worked in a salon and was head therapist and was on £6.20 and hour and now work for myself at home and I make a hell of a lot more.
It cost around £2.00 to do eyelash extension's so come on at £40.00 for two hours your telling me you don't make a good profit.
If I charge £75. £100 for eyelash extension I won't get it because the people in my area wouldn't pay that. There is a few salon's in my area doing eyelash extension and they are all about £40.
If you want to charge £75-£100 good luck to you doesn't mean people will pay it and just because someone else is cheaper doesn't mean they are using cheaper products or that they are inexpericed and crap.

 

[jotommo]

i agree...
you need to charge depending on competition also
a girl near me, and i quote ' full set of lashes for £50, only takes 40 mins.... lashes in a flash, last between 4-6 months'

er?? i do not think soooooooo??????
40 mins??
4-6 months??
not if you managed a full set in 40 minutes love!! lol

 

[TweezerHappy]

Even mobile it's not just the product cost you have to consider. What about petrol, car insurance, car up keep, servicing and what not. All of this should be considered as that's what it costs you to do this treatment. And don't forget the most expensive factor... your time.

I know how much I'm willing to work for and I won't be lowering it just because the competition has.

 

[lu-B-lu]

If you want to charge £75-£100 good luck to you doesn't mean people will pay it and just because someone else is cheaper doesn't mean they are using cheaper products or that they are inexpericed and crap.

I didn't mean for my post to come across in that way, as this is not what i meant AT ALL. Apologies if it did, feel awful at the thought of offending or demeening anyone.
All of your comments are valued to me, afterall, you're the professionals, I'm a mere minion at the mo!

Many thanks for all your replies, I have taken it on board... now for the training! x

 

[Miss Pink23]

Even mobile it's not just the product cost you have to consider. What about petrol, car insurance, car up keep, servicing and what not. All of this should be considered as that's what it costs you to do this treatment. And don't forget the most expensive factor... your time.

I know how much I'm willing to work for and I won't be lowering it just because the competition has.

I do agree, but I work part-time, so I use my car for travelling to and from work as well as to my mobile clients AND personal usage.
So yes, the wear and tear needs to be considered but I do not wholly use my car for nothing else except mobile jobs.

Yes, time is expensive, but even if the treatment were to cost £10 (which is more than we know it does), that still means you make £15 an hour-still a LOT more than any salon will offer per hour!

 

[Jenx]

It is a bit unfair to compare it to what you would be paid in a salon. In a salon, you are employed so have no other costs or time. As a self employed lash tech you have to do a lot more work in marketing and advertising your business. It is not just your time for the client that should be taken into consideration. There is a lot of time and effort put into running your own business as well. Also no guaranteed wage.
Personally I know how much I make per hour doing tans and would like to make the same per hour doing lashes.

I am currently doing my lashes very cheap at £20 for a demi-set. This is only because I am very new to lashes and really want the practice so that I can get much faster. It takes me 2hrs to do a demi-set so I am not making much per hour. They are only this price until I am faster and more confident, I make this clear to any clients and I have my normal prices listed as well which are about the same as salons in my area.

I'm sure you will have a great time on your course

Jen xxx

 

[Halls of Ivy]

The people charging £30 properly take an hour and thats why they are cheaper. I have a client who does eyelash extension and she does them in an hour and charges £38. .

Thats very quick, iv been trained in eyelashes for many years and i think of myself as being particularly quick but making sure every single lash is applied to making sure they get a quality result and service that they are happy with. And it takes me 1 hour and 30 mins with consultations, if any clients have thick natural lashes it can take me an additional 15-30 mins

I think problems can begin when the prices get lower and lower im concerned the quality gets lower. xx

 

[laura grant]

i think by this time next year there wiull be so many lash rooms and lash bars within the nail shops that £40 a full st will be normal and very cheap infils too.
i always say you pay for what you get and people will always chase the smaller money if they can not afford the bigger money because they really do not know how they are suppose to look or feel, and most of the time they will be applyed wrong.
i too have been guilty of going to the cheaper nail shop, but i did learn the hard way, my nails are still fkd up
it is annoying but everyone u talk to seems to be goin on the lash course coz they think its an easy buck, lots of my customers have gone on the course so they can earn a quick quid or two.
let your work stand out from the rest .good luck we r all in the same boat

 

[Halls of Ivy]

hear hear!

I think your absolutely right, it will come down to quality reputation !!