Nightmare client not wanting to pay for nailart!

[pinknsparkly]

Did a full set of Acrylic extensons yesterday for a new client, she was used to going to a nss and had a bad attitude from when she came in- (she spoke to me and everyone else who works with me like we were beneath her and there to serve her) She requested nails with a "pattern" with black tips. I used NSI black acrylic to do the tips, She then asked me to do one nail all over again because it looked slightly wonkey. ( her nail had a massive dip in one side) I explained to her this was because her nail was badly damaged from the drill and abuse on her natural nail at the nss and also her pulling her nails off. She accepted this with a grunt. When I had finished I thought the nails actually looked quite good despite the clients choice of imho tacky "pattern" which i dutifully painted on every finger, and the client said she was happy. I then had to rush off as I had another client waiting for lash exensions. I siad goodbye to the client but asked her to sit and wait 5 minutes before leaving. She then had an argument with my boss when paying about the nail art as she assumed it would be included in the price of the full set. My boss said if she didnt want to pay for the nail art she would take it off for her. The client then proceeded to storm out after throwing the money at my boss and said she'd go back to the nss as they dont charge for patterns and do the nails in 20 minutes. Has anyone else had horrible clients like this. It really ruined my day and made me wonder why I bother taking time and effort to produce nails that are undamaging.

 

[Yurionfire]

Don't you feel bad honey, this is just a type of people who had no idea about craft art and creativity. They might not see the different between nail art and nail print or nail stamp.

There are many type of client like... who enjoy our services without paying, thinking that gems glitter are for free. Next time when this type of person ask you to do something, ask them first whether they are willing to be charged by those services or not because these services are optional and consume extra time.

 

[VHunter]

You can have the last laugh when she gets a greenie or suffers worse.
Don't stress about it.
If she can't appreciate quality, then too bad for her.
In any case, who wants a client like that???

Have a merry xmas and put her out of your mind. She's not worth the trouble.

 

[angel fingers]

nail art is free in the nss because it helps diguise the sometimes poor quality of nails.

i have nail art displayed with the price per nail and the price per set of 10 so theres no confusion. if they dont think its worth the extra money, then they dont ask for it.

 

[tigi]

I have encountered a few clients recently who have assumed that nail art is included in the price. They were fine though when i explained that it was not and that it is listed as an extra in my price list. I now make it clear when the client asks for it that it is an extra charge.

Dont let this experience get to you. Sometimes these things happen and thankfully I am sure that most of your clients are lovely.

tigi

 

[Deena]

I agree with the others, it's an additional service, requires additional skills and materials, additional time <not to mention them possibly taking up even more of it with their deliberations on what additional adornments they actually want> and, therefore, attracts an additional cost to them.

I have often wondered how people allocate their time to clients, if they book and don't know what they actually want/need? Repeat clients may return with a breakage or two, which is additional time once again, not to mention cost. Some simply don't realise you can't wield a magic file and rectify everything at no extra effort or time consequence!

Without conducting a pre appointment interrogation, what happens when they want/need additional services that haven't already been allowed for within the appointed time frame? How do people manage this? :irked:

 

[geeg]

Things would be far less problematic all around if prices were made clear to clients from the outset.

I never do anything extra without explaining first that it will be an extra charge ... then everyone knows where they stand. If it takes more time then it costs more money.

 

[pinknsparkly]

Thats just it!! I did explain to her the extra cost of nail art at the start before I did anything to her nails which she agreed to pay. She conveniently "forgot" that I'd said this when it was just her and my boss present as I had gone off to do another treatment. She told my boss that I'd never said the price. Just can't win with some ppl!!

 

[Annie23]

Like Victoria said do you really want a client like this?

When I had my very first horrible client (well model at college) I was like you, beating myself up about it. You know what some people are just horrible and expect something for nothing. Take from this experience whatever you can so that you are better prepared next time. Now push her out of your mind she just isnt worth it. Be the best nail tech you can be so that people are begging for appointments and that way you can pick and choose your own clients. Good luck :hug:

anne xx

 

[Deena]

Regarding the general theme of getting something for nothing, I once had a model <who I was doing for free anyway> try to tell me my costs wouldn't amount to much even if I were charging!! I soon put her straight and by the time I'd finished itemising everything I was using on her, her jaw had dropped and she went deadly quiet. Pah!!!

:lol:

 

[geeg]

Regarding the general theme of getting something for nothing, I once had a model <who I was doing for free anyway> try to tell me my costs wouldn't amount to much even if I were charging!! I soon put her straight and by the time I'd finished itemising everything I was using on her, her jaw had dropped and she went deadly quiet. Pah!!!

:lol:

I understand what you are saying, but why should we ever have to justify our costs to a client ?? Does M&S justify the costs of a garment to you in the shop. It's outrageous!!

I would never discuss my costs or argue them with a client ... she has the same choice with me as choosing a garment .. she either likes what she is buying or not .. she either thinks it is worth the cost or she doesn't ... she can make the choice but I'm not changing my prices because she may not like them nor do I feel I have to explain them.

 

[persianista]

There will always be nasty clients. Us hair geeks get them too. When they attempt to belittle you, the problem lies within them. Normal people do not behave like that, only unhappy, insecure people with problems behave so badly. Honestly, just move on and appreciate all the nice, fun, life affirming clients that you enjoy doing. After all, would you like to be that person that was so awful that caused a thread in an internet forum?

 

[VHunter]

I understand what you are saying, but why should we ever have to justify our costs to a client ?? Does M&S justify the costs of a garment to you in the shop. It's outrageous!!

I wonder if it would be a breach of etiquette if the next time a client quibbled over price, if I asked her "do you ask Zellers or Walmlart for a rebate?"
I almost want to do it, JUST to see the reaction :lol: