Difficult client or bad tech?

[tips_n_toes]

Okay... so here it goes... I am so sorry if it sounds like I am being sensitive about this.. but I am a little cranky.. I will try to keep it together.

I have just recieved this new client. She tells me that she has been wearing gels for 10 years. In those 10 years she has never had a problem with her nails, well except for the one time. Until now.

I have been a tech for about 5 years ( but dabbled illegally on myself with a friends goodies for about 5 years prior) I have about 80 or so regular clients and of these 80 clients 70% of them have been with me for 3 years+. I rarely have any clients with lifting issues or breakage issues. Each of my clients know if she is due for a fill at 3 or 4 weeks and books accordingly ( my appointment book is ready until Aug 2010). Most of my clients prefer to wear a shorter nail more of an active length.

This particular client insists on wearing a nail that extends at least an inch or more past her fingertip ( this is short for her) she likes a pink and white which is fine, but it seems that I never have the right pink for her, even if we custom blend it.

I do a fill for her and without fail she is calling me to complain about her nail within a week. the first time she came to me with lifting, So I explained to her that because she had "chop shop" acrylic on I could not guarantee that the gel would adhere properly, she was fine with that she told me, and within a week a call...she is lifting again, as we are re-doing the entire set.. she tells me that her old nail tech had to prime her beds 3 times to get nails to stick! :irked: so we get through that and again she calls me to tell me that now she has some cracks in her nails at the sides (I haven't seen these yet but will assume for now they are a stress crack ) I offered her an appointment ( 4 different ones and she couldn't make them...she wanted a different date and time).:irked:

I have tried to talk to her about the length of her nail and she tells me that I am doing her nails wrong and I just need to build them thicker.

GRRR!

I want to tell her to go pound sand... but I feel like I need to prove to her that I can do nails. I have so many other satisfied clients that this one is rally upsetting me. I have three other clients that wear a long nail and I do not have these problems with them.

So Is she a cranky client or am I not doing something right?

I make sure the prep is right and gel is cured properly at all layers, I cannot for the life of me figure this out.

I use CND Brisa if that helps anyone.. and since moving to this line about a year ago all of my problem clients are now a dream to work with... excpt for this one and her p*rn star nails.

 

[Bev Rose]

Stop stressing hun:hug: xxxxxxxx

Just think about it - she has been going to an NSS for a long time & probably wearing MMA nails, which as we all know are tougher than old boots! Apart from the fact that they are baaaad!

If she's used to this kind of tough nail & now she is wearing gels she will need to understand that she has to treat them differently. Is she using her solar oil daily? I'd guess not, as NSS clients tend to of never heard of oiling the nails.
Make sure she is following her aftercare - which she probably isn't, having never been told to do so at her previous place.

I'm sure you are doing everything right, but she needs to listen to you! Tell her what she has to do & try to get her to have them a litle shorter too.
As for the colour - what did she used to have? The NSS nails I have seen have always been cloudy & yellowing, so anything you can do with Brisa is bound to be a big improvement.

If she was so impressed with the nails she used to have - why has she chosen to change to another tech??

I understand your frustration hun, but don't upset yourself about this - there are always some people we cannot please no matter how far we bend over backwards for them:hug:

 

[geeg]

You kept yourself together very well .. congratulations! :hug:

Sometimes this sort of client just wants attention but I'm pretty sure the 'gel' she had at the NSS was actually L&P (as you know they always call L&P gel) but maybe not.

There are a few things you can do.

1. Work a little thicker than normal with the Brisa (to accommodate her length and activity level) especially down the centre of the nail to give it more back bone. (there's a good video on the CND web site that shows this technique if you are not familiar with it).

2. Change her to L&P

3. Let her 'walk' if you can't stand the pressure of her calls.

I find that the first couple of rebalances on a new and experienced client can be challenging as you both get used to each other and different ways and different products. Her nails will be better for it in the end I assure you and you can assure her. No different when you change hairdressers ... they have to get to know you and visa versa. You'll get her sorted in the end. :hug:

 

[yeahyeah]

excpt for this one and her p*rn star nails.

hey careful now! lol
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[raya]

i used to have a client like that for beauty therapy, it didnt matter what it was she always thought she could tell me how to do it, but she always came back, there wasnt one appointment where she didnt get on my last nerve!! it is very annoying VERY VERY VERY!! she probably does it wherever she goes, she cant be that unhappy can shexx

 

[tips_n_toes]

sorry... what else would you call them? I think I used that term cuz she is making me mad! LOL

Thanks for all of your support ladies...

She came in today for to fixes stress fractures... OH MY FREAKIN GOSH!!! I had to look for them! so it isn't like they were major ones! Fixed and done and she wants to book a fill...

little hairs on my neck are standing up LOL

 

[uniq12u]

Don't you just love clients who keep telling you what their other nail tech did?? If they were so good why aren't you going to them now?? Makes you wonder how much of pita they were to the other nail tech? :lol:

Anyway, I am confused. First it says the client has been wearing gel nails for 10 years, then it says she is wearing acrylic. Which one is it? For someone with that much length are you ensuring the stress area is built up enough to withstand the extra length?

In the end it is really up to you as to how much you are willing to endure with this client. Can you ever make her happy? Time will tell and you will know in your heart if the client is worth it or not. Hope all works out well for you. The one thing to definitely remember is that you have lots of happy clients and you do a good job for them. Don't let one person make you doubt yourself!! :hug:

 

[Lin-inki]

I've had a few clients that come to me with mma nails OR extremely thick gel nails.
There not happy with the "fat look" of the nail but they still INSIST that they want the "crazy lenght"
I've realized that I need to be a buiznez woman about it & charge for my time.
I explain to them that I use different products AND a diferent techique (thats why my nails arent fat)
If they want something different... they must pay for it.
If I put an extra half hour filing down there nails it's going to cost them, If I'm going to use 3 times the ammount of material it's also going to cost extra.
If they don't accept these terms, they are free to find another salon.
there are so many great customers (that will appriciate you) out there, no point in bending over backwards to sattisfy someone who wants you to do like her old tech
were all trained differently & it is a handcraft.
ask WHY is she not doing nails with her old nail tech?

I always think when someone asks me to do "monsternails"
what if someone asks her, where she made her (for me awful) nails, I don't want that kind of advertisement for my salon
Maybe I'll loose other clients who think I work like that....

maybe I'm to set in my ways... But It works for me

 

[kesall]

Hi, im a mere novice so dont take my advice but id say that your client is obviously asking a bit much & wearing her nails far toooo long , surely she cant be working or whatever daily tasks we girls do with nails like that!? I think tho there is always one winger n i wouldnt let her make you feel like you have to prove anything to her!! Your obviously a very good Tech with a regular & constant client list so maybe try her once more politely suggesting she let you try doing her nails your way (normal managable length) & see how she feels, but im presuming she'll still find summit up with them. Also i dont think id be wanting to prime her nails 3 times?? would you? Maybe its because im a bit of a novice but i always thought a minimal amount of primer was required?? Good Luck & head up & be proud of what you know YOU do well!!

 

[kesall]

Chuckle chuckle Porn Star Nails sorry cant help laughing:lol::lol::lol:

 

[Bagpuss]

don't it just get ya goat !!!

I have had a couple like this...you kindda want to introduce them to your other clients as prove that your work is good....obviously you cant but

I have 2 that i kept calm with and thankfully we have come through the other end....and are fine now....and i had 2 that i got rid off.....there was no amount of time that was ever going to make the situation right.....1 even moaned that since i had started doing her nails they had been growing quicker and so she had to have them infilled more often......Mmmm maybe its because your nails are now healthier than when you went to the NSS...but i have no control over how quick your nails grow.

anyway....i would never give up with out a fight....see how it goes a while longer...she will either just click into place one day or have to find another nail tech.

 

[Gizmogeek]

You must be doing something right if she's coming back to you. I agree with Angie good luck some people aint just no pleasing!

 

[brittone05]

Awww hun :hug: for you Keep your chin up, have faith in the fact that you have a strong client base with loyal customers who see you as their very own nail Goddess and that they return to you time after time - they do this for a reason hun and that is cos you are a damn good tech

Bear with her, explain once more the different method you use compared to her old tech and leave her open to either return as a loyal customer who is happy or to find another tech who will do what her old tech did ( possibly damage her nails?) xx

 

[tips_n_toes]

sorry if I confused any of you... what I should have said is that she has been wearing nails for 10 years... and from what I have seen so far she goes for gel most of the time and when she can't get her gels filled...she gets the NSS nails... grr again.

I am hoping that I will get better at her nails and get used to the length and it will all shake out in the end...hoping

thanks for all of your support! You guys are awesome!

 

[trusim]

Hi
You have handled everything very Professionally & with dignity!! Good luck, all have given excellent advice. I wish you all the best...