I was wondering if any one had ever been in the same position as me and what actions did they take and what was the outcome.
Three years ago I bought a dated, ran down salon that was only trading part time.
The salon was in a good location and had only about 50 customers.
However the majority of these were weeklys, had colours and had perms.
There wasnt a huge turnover but it was enough to keep me going whilst I built the business up.
I paid 8 thousand pound for the 'Goodwill' of the business.
The lady had been advertising the business for some time for sale. She was in her 60's and wished to retire.
She had orignially listed the sale for 10-12k
I went in with a lower offer to which she refused.
Two weeks later I received a phone call from her customer saying they had thought about my offer and accepted.
Her brother who resided in America had died of a brain tumour which meant she had to go to her native country Iran for 8 weeks. (which I add I was charged £140 a week rent for the salon and had to pay cleaner £20 per week) The conditions were is that I collected the keys the following day and 'looked' after the business until the transaction went through. Her son was given power of attorney to deal with the transaction.
The vendor asked me to not tell any of her customers that I had purchased the business as she wanted to tell people herself.
So I kept to this promise.
On her return, the sale had already gone through. She came into the salon to take all her equipment and stock that I had put aside for her. She was crying and begging me to pay her money if I could!
Many of the customers who had been booked in for their next appointments failed to show.
She has worked in phases and continues to poach customers.
I have about 78 five star reviews on face book - only 5 star reviews - barr one. Its from her. Its a 1 star review!
She tells the customers that she is now working from home. She tells them their hair is too short, too dark, too light. She says I can't cut hair and that she had to show me how to perm (which is nonsense!) She tells them that I didnt pay what was due to her and I moved all of her stuff and redecorated the salon before I'd even purchased it! God knows what else she is saying to them.
Ive really gone above and beyound for those customers and always done little extras for them to keep them sweet and they have all been very happy.
Shes recently done 'phase 3' of her operation. A chunk of them left in August and shes just done another 4 this month! One actually rang me to tell me! She said she loves me, loves way I do her hair but she fancied a change. She said she had gone to see this woman for a massage as a treat and had her hair cut at the same time. So she wouldnt be attending her next appointment. So I asked her if she was coming and she said no.
I respected her for her honesty.
The majority have just rang and left answer phone messages out of hours to say they would be on holiday on their next appt!!
I know this woman is poisoning people and really seems to be seething with jealously! I'm estimating she has over 25 customers out of the 50. Several customers that remain have informed me that she has approached them yet she claims to them that all the other customers have approached her. She claims her doctor advised she get back into hairdressing. I find this hard to believe.
So, I probably should have sent out a legal letter years ago when she first started doing it.
The contract we had stated no hairdressing within 5 years and 5 miles.
Anyway, I'd really appreciate some advice from maybe someone who has been in a similar situation.
I have rang up a solicitor and been quoted £150 an hour! I think she is banking on it that i wont be able to afford it!!
Three years ago I bought a dated, ran down salon that was only trading part time.
The salon was in a good location and had only about 50 customers.
However the majority of these were weeklys, had colours and had perms.
There wasnt a huge turnover but it was enough to keep me going whilst I built the business up.
I paid 8 thousand pound for the 'Goodwill' of the business.
The lady had been advertising the business for some time for sale. She was in her 60's and wished to retire.
She had orignially listed the sale for 10-12k
I went in with a lower offer to which she refused.
Two weeks later I received a phone call from her customer saying they had thought about my offer and accepted.
Her brother who resided in America had died of a brain tumour which meant she had to go to her native country Iran for 8 weeks. (which I add I was charged £140 a week rent for the salon and had to pay cleaner £20 per week) The conditions were is that I collected the keys the following day and 'looked' after the business until the transaction went through. Her son was given power of attorney to deal with the transaction.
The vendor asked me to not tell any of her customers that I had purchased the business as she wanted to tell people herself.
So I kept to this promise.
On her return, the sale had already gone through. She came into the salon to take all her equipment and stock that I had put aside for her. She was crying and begging me to pay her money if I could!
Many of the customers who had been booked in for their next appointments failed to show.
She has worked in phases and continues to poach customers.
I have about 78 five star reviews on face book - only 5 star reviews - barr one. Its from her. Its a 1 star review!
She tells the customers that she is now working from home. She tells them their hair is too short, too dark, too light. She says I can't cut hair and that she had to show me how to perm (which is nonsense!) She tells them that I didnt pay what was due to her and I moved all of her stuff and redecorated the salon before I'd even purchased it! God knows what else she is saying to them.
Ive really gone above and beyound for those customers and always done little extras for them to keep them sweet and they have all been very happy.
Shes recently done 'phase 3' of her operation. A chunk of them left in August and shes just done another 4 this month! One actually rang me to tell me! She said she loves me, loves way I do her hair but she fancied a change. She said she had gone to see this woman for a massage as a treat and had her hair cut at the same time. So she wouldnt be attending her next appointment. So I asked her if she was coming and she said no.
I respected her for her honesty.
The majority have just rang and left answer phone messages out of hours to say they would be on holiday on their next appt!!
I know this woman is poisoning people and really seems to be seething with jealously! I'm estimating she has over 25 customers out of the 50. Several customers that remain have informed me that she has approached them yet she claims to them that all the other customers have approached her. She claims her doctor advised she get back into hairdressing. I find this hard to believe.
So, I probably should have sent out a legal letter years ago when she first started doing it.
The contract we had stated no hairdressing within 5 years and 5 miles.
Anyway, I'd really appreciate some advice from maybe someone who has been in a similar situation.
I have rang up a solicitor and been quoted £150 an hour! I think she is banking on it that i wont be able to afford it!!