Undesirable Clients

[Nettie]

How do I get rid of an undesirable client - well, actually, it's 2, a husband and wife duo. I'm mobile and have seen these clients 3 times now (each for a pedicure) and dread their next appointment - apart from the filthy and very smelly state of the house, and the stinky growling dog, they also chain smoke - I have always been very professional and I'm not usually bothered by someone's untidyness, honestly, I'm not a snob, but this is very bad (think "How clean is your house" of whatever that TV programme was called). Actually, it's not just untidy, that would not bother me at all, it really is dirty. I literally have to go straight home to shower and change my uniform because I stink so bad of smoke. I'm not exagerating, it really is that bad.
But they love me! How do I let them down??

 

[stampy]

Tell them you're booked up for the next three years. How inconsiderate are they???!!! x

 

[janeawallace]

Good Luck with that one

 

[marioned]

Could you develop an allergy to dogs?

 

[honeymummy]

Oh ive had this before when i was a mobile hairdresser!! i still do a bit of hair now and have recently dropped a family whos hair i cut, in this case i found the husband was rude, patronising and sarcastic and talked to me as if i was born yesterday.
I recently dropped a note through their door telling them that i am studying and holding down a full time job so have to discontinue with their hair.( which is true)
can you do the same? just pop a lovely card through their door saying that you have to discontinue their treatments and other clients too as you are far too busy and that you are not having enough time for yourself, family etc.
hth!
Carrie x

 

[Zingara]

In effect, whilst you are at their house....that is your workplace. It is of course illegal to smoke in the workplace.

Not wishing to open a smoking debate, but I wonder how the law sees that particular aspect of it. I know some companies that make home visits have asked the people they visit not to smoke to protect their empolyees health.

Personally I'd probably just be very busy!

 

[marioned]

In effect, whilst you are at their house....that is your workplace. It is of course illegal to smoke in the workplace.

Not wishing to open a smoking debate, but I wonder how the law sees that particular aspect of it. I know some companies that make home visits have asked the people they visit not to smoke to protect their empolyees health.

Personally I'd probably just be very busy!

That's very true. I work as a teacher but often visit the parents at home. They aren't meant to smoke when I am there and for some time before (can't remember the timescale though). However, nobody has told the parents!

This doesn't really totally help with your problem though as the house is dirty too.

 

[classynails]

Tell em the smoke bothers you...thats what I would do

 

[Bev Rose]

Hi hun, I feel for you :hug:

When I worked as a Yellow Pages sales rep in advertising I used to go some some peoples home that were so blooming filthy you had only a pathway through the rubbish to get to chairs! I'm not joking.

I would tell them that you are :-

1. Having really bad asthma attacks after leaving their home due to the smoke

2. Tell them you are no longer able to offer this service in their area.

3. Drop them a note (as per above post) telling them thank you, but are now no longer operating, but as soon as you are back in business/operating in their area, you'll be in touch.

there's 3 options for you, personally, I'd go for option 3!

It does not matter if these people are nice or not, if the appointment is always one you never want to go to, you need to get rid of it. IMO, option 3 is a more professional sounding choice.

Good luck in that hun xx

 

[estherlou]

Oh ive had this before when i was a mobile hairdresser!! i still do a bit of hair now and have recently dropped a family whos hair i cut, in this case i found the husband was rude, patronising and sarcastic and talked to me as if i was born yesterday.
I recently dropped a note through their door telling them that i am studying and holding down a full time job so have to discontinue with their hair.( which is true)
can you do the same? just pop a lovely card through their door saying that you have to discontinue their treatments and other clients too as you are far too busy and that you are not having enough time for yourself, family etc.
hth!
Carrie x

i like this idea i think a nice little card and maybe throw in a doggy treat so it shows you care.
i really feel for you hun, we all have clients that aren't our favourites but you shouldn't have to put up with that, better feeling a little bit bad about it than having to go there again, good luck xx

 

[Coppertop]

Do they always book for a certain time of the day, day of the week?

If they do then cut your hours, which only include the hours and days that they want your service :lol:

 

[emerald]

I have something on my pricelists and website stating that there is to be no smoking during the treatment and people do take this on board when i go round. But i would not go to someone like that so i agree tell them politly that you will no longer be servicing them. good luck

 

[EllaX]

i did this before on a very similar sounding client.
although not so much mess just 'dog mush' as in 'sorry about the mess the dog gave birth on the floor yesterday and i haven't cleaned it up yet'

i stuck the mess, and the smoke, and the extremely late appointments she alwasy insisted on and the gypsys blocking my car in on her estate for 3 maybe 4 appointments then enough was enough

when i did option 3 on the list she phoned me back with a load of abuse and wanted a refund for her last appointment because apparantly they all fell off 3 weeks ago and looked bad for a friends wedding. when asked why she didn't ring sooner - i got 'i dunno' needless to say she never got her refund and i never went round there again!!

she is still apparantly very disappointed in me - call it unprofessional but am i bothered?? nah

your not alone hun, im sure we all get them from time to time, its a downside of being mobile im afraid xx

 

[lissa]

you poor thing i just read this to my oh who sympathises as he works in dirty houses somtimes , he said he asks them not to smoke around him, he dosn't smoke either so its not nice !!
Im sure you wouldn't want to upset these people but if there house is that bad i dreed to think what their feet look like!!
Maybe you could tell them you no longer offer peds just nail enhancements or be brave and tell the truth that the smoke effects you.. rather you than me :lol:

 

[sknight]

How do I get rid of an undesirable client - well, actually, it's 2, a husband and wife duo. I'm mobile and have seen these clients 3 times now (each for a pedicure) and dread their next appointment - apart from the filthy and very smelly state of the house, and the stinky growling dog, they also chain smoke - I have always been very professional and I'm not usually bothered by someone's untidyness, honestly, I'm not a snob, but this is very bad (think "How clean is your house" of whatever that TV programme was called). Actually, it's not just untidy, that would not bother me at all, it really is dirty. I literally have to go straight home to shower and change my uniform because I stink so bad of smoke. I'm not exagerating, it really is that bad.
But they love me! How do I let them down??

Be honest hun, say the smoke bothers you and you would be happy to continue their treatments but need to work in a smoke free environment. If they are decent they will respect that, if not you simply must stick to your rules and discontinue the service. at least this way you may get to keep your clients. I dont know them but believe it or not they may not realise that it bothers you, my mum smokes and it took me ages for her to realise she cant do it while i am working. Keep us posted.
Stevie x

 

[1999judy]

Just tell them you are fully booked and recommend another tech if you know one.
If I lived nearer I'd take the horrid smokers off your hands

 

[angel fingers]

from the sounds of it though, the smoke is just the tip of the iceberg.:irked:

id do the note through the door saying you are cutting back your hours or not covering the area anymore. that saves anyones feelings too. no need to cause offence if you dont have too.

 

[Nettie]

Thanks for you help guys. I'm still undecided exactly how to do this - you've all helped me to realise I have only 2 options; 1 to tell the truth and risk upsetting the clients (should I feel bad about this) or 2 make up some cock and bull about why I can't go there anymore (will I still go to heaven if I do this??). I'm not due to see them until mid April so I'll let you know the outcome.
Take care all.

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Well now I would not say to them that you are giving up the business. How would they feel if you unknowingly went to a friend of theirs in the future ... and how would you feel if you lost other business that they may have put your way?

What it will help you with is when booking apointments that YOU have to set the rules before you start. Explain how it is obviously great for them how convenient it is, but it is your place of work and then advise of YOUR rules. If they don't like them then they don't have to book ... and if they don't stick to them then you don't have to work there.

So tell these people that you cannot do the treatments if they smoke in the same room you are working. The other issues you will have to decide if you can cope with it and if you can afford to turn away their business. Unfortunately there are just times when we have appointments that we just don't want to do but HAVE to - thankfully they are rare.