Receptionist or not?

[Studio One]

Do you think it is worth paying for a receptionist or to rely on an answering machine to pick up phone calls whilst I'm busy with clients? Not sure what would be the best option as I know a lot of people don't like to leave messages and not sure how much business I could be losing to this.

 

[jacquelineanna]

Do you think it is worth paying for a receptionist or to rely on an answering machine to pick up phone calls whilst I'm busy with clients? Not sure what would be the best option as I know a lot of people don't like to leave messages and not sure how much business I could be losing to this.

Could you look into one of these places that take your calls and book your appointments for you and you pay them for this service.

Cheaper than paying for an actual receptionist.

Jacqui xx

 

[tigers-mummy]

Probably better to pay for that service then you don't need to worry about wages, sick/maternity pay etc xx

 

[essentialsj]

I guess it depends on how busy you are. I worked without a receptionist last week and it was a bit of a nightmare. I had to keep stopping clients to get the door for clients who cme 'a little early' which meant I was running late for them. If I am running late when the receptionist is there at least they can have a coffee and chat for a few mins, then I can get the room sorted whilst the receptionist takese the money. It's not just the phone the receptionist deals with!

 

[Studio One]

Thanks for your help and ideas.

 

[Hiltonbeauty]

I dont know your set up but I would go for an apprentice. But go for a maturer one rather than 16-18. Not that there is anything wrong with a 16-18 but it's sounds like its just you and maybe you could benefit from an apprentice as it will only cost you around £100 a week for a full time one. That way they can study their level 2 and 3 with you and after 2 years you might be in a position to offer them a full time job. They will know all your clients and treatments so will be a good employee for your future as they will only know everything you taught them.

Then when they are full time employed after their level 2 and 3 get another apprentice in and soon.......

Contact a local college and meet with them to discussing see what they have to offer.

 

[MrsHBeauty]

I dont know your set up but I would go for an apprentice. But go for a maturer one rather than 16-18. Not that there is anything wrong with a 16-18 but it's sounds like its just you and maybe you could benefit from an apprentice as it will only cost you around £100 a week for a full time one. That way they can study their level 2 and 3 with you and after 2 years you might be in a position to offer them a full time job. They will know all your clients and treatments so will be a good employee for your future as they will only know everything you taught them.

Then when they are full time employed after their level 2 and 3 get another apprentice in and soon.......

Contact a local college and meet with them to discussing see what they have to offer.

There's a £3000 grant available if you haven't had an apprentice available. You have to check your eligible but it's worth looking into x

 

[BABSann]

Ideally it would be lovely to have a receptionist but the reality is that wages etc do have to be paid and the receptionist won't personally be doing treatments to cover their wages. So if you have the money to cover these extra wages then fabulous.

I worked in a salon for 9 yrs without a receptionist and another for a while with no receptionist. We had to do it in between clients plus retail and take payments etc.
It is doable but as someone already mentioned it can be a pain when clients come in early or a new client comes in wanting to know about a given treatment or wants to buy something.

If we both had relaxing treatments or one of us was alone in the salon doing a relaxing treatment, then the door would be locked and a sign would be put up stating a treatment was in progress and what time the door would be unlocked.

Our clients accepted this and generally we had no issues with this, though you do have to ensure you don't run over so as not to keep the client waiting on the doorstep. Particularly in bad weather.

Phone wise we had an answer machine and always replayed it at every given opportunity and phoned the client back immediately.

As I said ideally it would be fantastic but the money needs to be there as its not the cheaper option.

 

[PixieBeauty]

As someone else has said check out All Day PA I know people who use it and recommend it xx

 

[Hiltonbeauty]

There's a £3000 grant available if you haven't had an apprentice available. You have to check your eligible but it's worth looking into x

It's £1500 in Reading, Berkshire but that may vary accross the country.

 

[wonderwoman]

Personally i dont see why you cant do both? If your concerned for wages, then dont do it. You could go down the educational route, getting apprentices but you'd still have to train them up.

Its a personal touch that you know whats goin on at all times, and maybe just maybe your team can take some of the slack. xoxo

 

[Miss Sparkle]

They wouldn't be paying for their wages by doing treatments, but they would be available as a friendly face/voice to book in clients who would then pay wages (who might not necessarily leave a message) .. personally I'd much rather talk to a person rather than a machine, they can also give details on the treatments that a machine can't do. I also HATE leaving voicemail messages!
Just my 2 pence worth

 

[Studio One]

Thanks for all your tips I'll certainly look at all the options. Thanks again