What to do when you're ill and mobile..

[Rapunzelxx]

Hi peeps,

I just wanted to ask how the mobile geeks deal with having to cancel clients due to illness? I was supposed to do a perm last night but cancelled due to illness and rearranged for tonight, however I am still in no fit state to do it. How do I cancel again whilst trying to ensure the lady doesn't go elsewhere? A have some £10 gift vouchers at the moment, would you offer one as a token gesture or is it too much?
She is a new client but the mother of a lady who I have done one time before it's blooming typical :-(

 

[Lou x]

Hi peeps,

I just wanted to ask how the mobile geeks deal with having to cancel clients due to illness? I was supposed to do a perm last night but cancelled due to illness and rearranged for tonight, however I am still in no fit state to do it. How do I cancel again whilst trying to ensure the lady doesn't go elsewhere? A have some £10 gift vouchers at the moment, would you offer one as a token gesture or is it too much?
She is a new client but the mother of a lady who I have done one time before it's blooming typical :-(

Tricky one you probably shouldn't of booked it for the very next day just in case this happens x
I would probably explain to her your still ill and yes I would offer the voucher, it's worth it to keep client happy and keep coming back x

Sent from my iPad using SalonGeek

 

[Kamosa]

This is always a problem when you are mobile/working for yourself. As Lou says, probably best if your client had rebooked after a week so that you could get properly better and I think offering vouchers is a good gesture - it shows commitment on your part. On the whole though, I think clients understand that we can get ill and if they are loyal they will accept this - after all you could go into a salon to find your hairdresser/therapist is ill too and you would probably rebook.

 

[SuzieBeautique]

I've had this problem too and offered a discount as couldn't fit them back in for 3 weeks! The voucher is a good suggestion but I would maybe just offer £5. Everyone gets poorly, it can't be helped. Even offering £5 still shows a good will gesture and that you are genuine xx

 

[Fuzion]

Hi peeps,

I just wanted to ask how the mobile geeks deal with having to cancel clients due to illness? I was supposed to do a perm last night but cancelled due to illness and rearranged for tonight, however I am still in no fit state to do it. How do I cancel again whilst trying to ensure the lady doesn't go elsewhere? A have some £10 gift vouchers at the moment, would you offer one as a token gesture or is it too much?
She is a new client but the mother of a lady who I have done one time before it's blooming typical :-(

I never book more than a fortnight in advance now, as used to be booked back to back 6 weeks in advance and being ill stressed me so much, then I had kids, what with school dropping things on you at last minute and in reality with 3 of us to be ill, as its always down to me if kids r ill, this was really the best way to go!

It really works, when we had the snow, anything I can generally fit people in the following week.

I do think you were cutting it fine rebooking for tonight. The voucher is a nice gesture, but clients cancel us due to illness so I'm sure she will understand, just unfortunate it's a new client, always is in these situations isn't it!

 

[serenityroom]

Hi just a thought - sorry to invade this thread - with mobile are we entitled to SSP when we are ill? If so, how would we go about claiming this?

Hope your client is understanding!

Paula:

 

[craigkeane]

Hi just a thought - sorry to invade this thread - with mobile are we entitled to SSP when we are ill? If so, how would we go about claiming this?

Hope your client is understanding!

Paula:

Yes as long as you.pay your contributions .. Not sure how you would claim it.. Let us know when you find out!!

Craig Keane
www.hculture.co.uk

 

[pauline71]

I'm not 100% sure on this but SSP is paid by an employer. If you are ill you claim ESA (employment and support allowance).

 

[Fuzion]

Hi just a thought - sorry to invade this thread - with mobile are we entitled to SSP when we are ill? If so, how would we go about claiming this?

Hope your client is understanding!

Paula:

You can claim some kind of sickness benefit being self employed, but think it's such a hassle, there's a minimum time before they pay you. I was signed off for 2 weeks once, feeling so ill I was in no state to go through the rigmarole involved.

Maybe someone knows for sure?

 

[jacquelineanna]

I think you should apologise profusely for cancelling again but do not think you should offer any discount or voucher.

A heartfelt apology should be enough.

Jacqui xx

 

[TracyS]

I've just had to cancel a reguar lady for the second appointment running and will need to re-arrange. Problem is my daughter has suspected chicken pox and although I'm fine, my client is in a nursing home so I phoned them and explained and they advised not to come in until it's confirmed one way or the other.

I'll do this time what I did last, no discount but I book an extra half hour on her manicure time and give her a really good massage and spend extra time with her. Luckily she's good about it but I have had clients who get very stroppy, even if it's my kids who are sick and I can't get a sitter for them.

You can't help being ill, apologies for the inconvenience not the fact that you're poorly and maybe give her something extra special rather than a discount - dangerous precident to set imho.

 

[soriminah]

When I used to do mobile massage, I had a client I'd seen maybe 3 times. I ended up really sick, nearly died, in hospital for 10 days which coincided with an appointment of hers.

I'd asked my sister to ring her to tell her I was in hospital but she forgot so the day of the appointment the lady rang me to see where I was. I got the message the next day and rang her straight away and told her I was in hospital and had asked my sister to ring her but she'd forgotten.

Not at all sympathetic and lost her as a client. Not that I was that bothered. I figure if someone is ****ty at you that you're in hospital and nearly died than they're not worth having as a client.

 

[bbk]

Ive been off sick this week and had to cancel a fair few people, one got stroppy and ive got to say although this may be the wrong attitude, i dont need customers like that, i have never had to cancel her in the 3/4 years ive been treating her, when she has messed me around ive always been understanding, i gave her my friends number who was available to treat her that day aswell which i didnt have to do.
Every other client of mine was genuinely concerned and lovely about it as they know im not one to cancel, even the 2 who were going on holiday.
I think the type of customers you want in your business will understand and be loyal to you (one of my clients even said that to me-bless) it works both ways afterall everyone gets poorly.
I think the poster (sorry forgot to look at your name) who said about spending a little more time with her next time you see her is a really good idea.
Dont stress about it though she would rather have a decent treatment with you when you are feeling 100% im sure x