Horrible Client, I'm still new!!

[c-b0t]

So I just recently started working at a salon, and we use calgel. I'm still training so I only work on people I know, but the other day my boss asked if I wanted to work on one of her clients. She told me from the beginning that she couldn't stand her, and that I can work on her instead. I gave her a fill last week and although she seemed to talk a lot, I was okay with it and her gels came out nicely.

Yesterday she came back asking for extensions, so my boss begged me to do it and I agreed. BIG MISTAKE.

This woman's nails were sooooooo paper thin (from improper drilling from another salon) and short (from biting them), it took me forever to fit the forms! Then as I started to put the gels on, she started saying like "That part is crooked. That part looks too thin. That part is bumpy. You missed that spot" WHILE I'm working on her damn nails! And to make things worse, while I worked on her she kept asking the dumbest questions ever, like:
"So will my nails still grow after putting these on?"
"So now that I have extensions on I wont ever have to get a fill, right?"
"Will these melt in hot water? Cause I want to take a bath"
And while I worked on them, she was eating candy, so I had to wait for her to finish to put another coat on. Then she started touching her nails saying that it's not dry cause it's sticky. I told her that I have to wipe off the stuff but she kept ARGUEING with me that it's not "dry". Then she took the buffer from me and started buffing the edges saying that it's not smooth. She spent like 5 minutes buffing at NOTHING.

Then I tried to put the colour on her, and she was like "Oh wait let me pay you and get my keys out so I don't smudge it". So I explained to her for the 235020425245th time that damn GEL WILL NOT SMUDGE. Then she was like "Okay well let me take it out just in case it smudges!" and gave me a 3 dollar tip (WOW THANKS!) . Then as I started putting the colour on she made me change colours like 5 times before settling for the first colour I gave her, and AFTER I cured it she told me she wanted a different colour, so there I told her it's too late. Then as I tried to add the second coat, she got up and started stretching even though I had another client waiting for me!!!

Then at last, I put the top coat on, and told her to wait 30 seconds. Then she wanted to put it under the lamp so I told her it's not needed. Then she was like "Oh well Ill put it under the light anyways so it'll dry faster". So I said more firmly that the lamp isn't needed and NOT to use the lamp, but she still put her hands under the lamp even though it wasn't on. Then I told her she can leave because the top coat was already dry and she was ready to go, but she said "No no I think I'll wait about 10 more minutes so it doesn't smudge".

The thought of having to deal with her from now on makes me want to jump out the window.

My boss wont take her back either, so what should I do? I don't think I'll be able to keep up the smile from next time... I'm still new to this, I feel so overwhelmed and discouraged :cry:

 

[sknight]

So I just recently started working at a salon, and we use calgel. I'm still training so I only work on people I know, but the other day my boss asked if I wanted to work on one of her clients. She told me from the beginning that she couldn't stand her, and that I can work on her instead. I gave her a fill last week and although she seemed to talk a lot, I was okay with it and her gels came out nicely.

Yesterday she came back asking for extensions, so my boss begged me to do it and I agreed. BIG MISTAKE.

This woman's nails were sooooooo paper thin (from improper drilling from another salon) and short (from biting them), it took me forever to fit the forms! Then as I started to put the gels on, she started saying like "That part is crooked. That part looks too thin. That part is bumpy. You missed that spot" WHILE I'm working on her damn nails! And to make things worse, while I worked on her she kept asking the dumbest questions ever, like:
"So will my nails still grow after putting these on?"
"So now that I have extensions on I wont ever have to get a fill, right?"
"Will these melt in hot water? Cause I want to take a bath"
And while I worked on them, she was eating candy, so I had to wait for her to finish to put another coat on. Then she started touching her nails saying that it's not dry cause it's sticky. I told her that I have to wipe off the stuff but she kept ARGUEING with me that it's not "dry". Then she took the buffer from me and started buffing the edges saying that it's not smooth. She spent like 5 minutes buffing at NOTHING.

Then I tried to put the colour on her, and she was like "Oh wait let me pay you and get my keys out so I don't smudge it". So I explained to her for the 235020425245th time that damn GEL WILL NOT SMUDGE. Then she was like "Okay well let me take it out just in case it smudges!" and gave me a 3 dollar tip (WOW THANKS!) . Then as I started putting the colour on she made me change colours like 5 times before settling for the first colour I gave her, and AFTER I cured it she told me she wanted a different colour, so there I told her it's too late. Then as I tried to add the second coat, she got up and started stretching even though I had another client waiting for me!!!

Then at last, I put the top coat on, and told her to wait 30 seconds. Then she wanted to put it under the lamp so I told her it's not needed. Then she was like "Oh well Ill put it under the light anyways so it'll dry faster". So I said more firmly that the lamp isn't needed and NOT to use the lamp, but she still put her hands under the lamp even though it wasn't on. Then I told her she can leave because the top coat was already dry and she was ready to go, but she said "No no I think I'll wait about 10 more minutes so it doesn't smudge".

The thought of having to deal with her from now on makes me want to jump out the window.

My boss wont take her back either, so what should I do? I don't think I'll be able to keep up the smile from next time... I'm still new to this, I feel so overwhelmed and discouraged :cry:

Its a nightmare eh? but we all get them and its good practice for you. I would suggest that you have a word with your manager and come to some agreement about how you deal with her. For instance If my client wanted to wait 10 mins longer I would say no problem but would you take a seat in the waiting area as my next client has arrived. Your manager should have kept an eye on you though in my opinion as she knows what this lady is like. There is a fine line between a polite and information way of putting them in their place and being rude. Best bet is have a word with your boss. I'm sure the other geeks will have some more advice for you HTH x

 

[mdskora]

I agree... I would let her stay another 10min.. you are not going wo win trying to explain the chemistry behind gel colours... Explain that you have a client waiting and would she mind sitting in the waiting area.
I also agree that your boss gave you a unfair deal... we all have to learn but knowign this woman is a pain in the butt... not fair.
If you can get thru this one you can do any!! We all have those kind of clients and she is prob going to be a regular client by the sounds of it.. treat her with respect and hopefull she will realise that youknow what you are doing and give you a break..
We can't just get rid of clients because we don;t like them etc... word gets around and soon we will have none.
If you really dont think you can deal with her tell your boss and ask her to have a firm word with her that you must be allowed to do your job without taking the bloody file out of your hands....
Tell her that she is breeching health and safety laws or something..
good luck with her
Mel

 

[princess fifi]

Yes it can be awful, from my own experience when I have been new in salons and spas, the client usually wants the most experienced member of staff to carry out the treatment, which they automatically assume is the boss. When they know you are new, you have to give them time to get to know you, maybe she was being cheeky because she actually wanted your boss to do her nails. I had an experience like that, where my boss wanted me to do one of her clients because she couldn't stand her!, the client came in and was annoyed that my boss wanted me to do the treatment, I couldn't do a thing right by her, and at the end of the treatment she complained to my boss that she wasn't happy with the way I did the treatment. Being new at the time i felt awful. There is usually more physcology behind peoples actions don't worry about it or let it get to you.

 

[Tantrum]

Hi there
my heart goes out to you, i know exactly what thats like i've dealt with loads like that..
but if you stay patient and try your best to find something to chat about, she will eventually stop asking questions and trust you and she'll be distracted by yappin. i sometimes explain what i'm doing during each stage it stops the questions
as long as she has no problems with her nails she'll think your great.. eventually

people like her tend to be the ones that recommend you to others as they're so picky, my once least favourite client is now my favourite, i have a great laugh with her and she now says "i'm not gonna ask any questions, your the expert" wow never thought i'd hear that from her..
also if she tipped you at all, she liked you!

I do think your boss threw you in the deep end though, but it could turn out to be a good thing if you handle the woman right.

Best of luck with her xxx

 

[Cat_Therien]

Wow, that sounds like you had a really rough day with that lady.

My first thought is that she's manipulative. A bully.

If it were me, when she sets up her next appointment with me I would, nicely - but firmly-, tell her that she has to follow my instructions and leave my tools alone, or I won't do her nails any more. And if she just ignores that or tries to manipulate me again, I will tell her that I can't do her nails.

Generally a bully will back down if I treat them with courtesy but expect them to act like an adult and exhibit respectful, decent behavior. They need to know I have personal boundaries and they won't be allowed to step over or around them.

Otherwise, I may end up being pushed around by this woman (and others like her) just to keep a client. A client whose behavior could ruin my day every time she came in.

Life is too short to put up with that.

Just my two cents...

Cat

 

[femmefan]

My mouth always runs away with me when I'm nervous :lol: and maybe she's the same. Sometimes people come over as aggressive and overbearing when they are covering up a nervous and insecure personality - it's a front that hides them from the real world. As others have said, persevere with this client and she could end up your staunchest ally. Take up the challenge and be polite and friendly and I'm sure she'll settle down.

Cheers,
Hazel :hug:

 

[Terese]

A plus on this is that you DID her nails and they were to her satisfaction in the end:lol:well done YOU

What I have done in the past is engage in conversation,(you can learn to be an active listner) try and find something she is interested in etc....Also, With calgel you have the colour chart on the back of your box? suggest she finds a colour in mind whilst you are starting to see to her nails(just casually say it has to be stirred),

With regards to her picking up your instruments, keep them in the tidy(facing you)and if you are talking about HER and what she likes her mind wont only be on her nails

It does work.........try itx

 

[karenstars]

Oh our poor thing. That is just wrong! i would have exploded by then. Would you lose your job if you decline this client? If not then just don't have her again. There just are individuals out there that bring the word "painful" to a new level, and she's one of them. I find these client unerve me in the worst possible way, and no amount of money from them is worth it! Your story is SO bad that i actually started laughing,,,and i swear i don't mean that in a bad way...it just read like something out of a movie and bless you the way you told it. All credit to you though because i would have lost it big time! xox

 

[pringle12]

.Hi hun
bless you. Its hard when clients are like that a.I have a client like that ! oh my god and shes my mum lol.Shes a nite mare lol. She says that needs to be rounded more , theres a bump there and so on.But when iv finished with her nails she loves what iv done.Bless her , its good to have a client like this it keeps you on your toes and whats comeing in the future,we all get a client like this at some stage.lol.xx