Why I cant compete with the 20minute wonderboy.....

[sodabubble]

I had a visit from a lady yesterday, her and her daughter go to an NSS for tip and L&P overlays with a gel top coat.

They have both been having this done every 10 days for the past 3 years or so, and every three months he removes the tips completely to replace with a new set. He does not blend the tips after applying them, but the lady showed me one that had broken off and there was about 6/7mm of nat nail - maybe he uses well-less tips?

She said all of hers and her daughters nails were basically non exesitant this is why he tips them both.

She was enquiring about my prices etc, I told her I use Brisa, and asked if she had ever considered growing her tips out so that she can eventully have nno. She replied by saying that her nat nails are so soft and trashed (her words not mine) it would be impossible for her to do this.

She asked me how long it took me and when I told her she said " omg you poor thing, my tech takes 20 mins tops, he has electric drills, files everything, he trained at a salon in New York and now owns 5 nail bars, you should ring him and get him to train you properly"

I was gobsmacked. What should I have said? I wanted to die!! I can't offer L&P until I have done my ezflow progression course next month, she will be back in about 8 weeks to get her grandsons hair cut......any suggestions? I hate it when I just freeze up, does this happen to anyone else? x

 

[Bev Rose]

Well Hayley....my reply would of been simple...

'Madam/name - I take a great care of my clients and their nails - not one of them has ever - EVER had damaged nails becasue of my lack of skills. I pride myself in my professionalism & quality of both my work & my products. My clients stay with me for years and are more than happy - 95% of them have NNO now. If you gave me a nail drill I could drill your nails to shreds & overlay them in 20 mins, but I have more skill than that.
Quality takes time. Speed makes poor nails'

Or something like that!! I would not try to sounds clever or snooty iykwim, but just sincere & caring.

I used to be scared of saying stuff to people, but not anymore.
I know I can do a good job, my clients tell me that.

If you are sure of your work, don't be scared of telling her so - train with him ffs!

 

[sodabubble]

I was just so cautious I did not want to appear like I was slagging off wonderboy (even tho I feel like kicking him where it hurts lol) will see what she says when I next see her. In all fairness I think she is a bit dim tho, she was shocked to see females having their hair done at the salon, she thought it was a barbers......even though the shop front is hot pink lol

thanks Bev, will update when I next see her, although I probably wouldnt know where to start with her nails, they are so uneven, more troughs and peaks than, well, something very troughy and peaky lol!

 

[Saucygirl]

Well Hayley....my reply would of been simple...

'Madam/name - I take a great care of my clients and their nails - not one of them has ever - EVER had damaged nails becasue of my lack of skills. I pride myself in my professionalism & quality of both my work & my products. My clients stay with me for years and are more than happy - 95% of them have NNO now. If you gave me a nail drill I could drill your nails to shreds & overlay them in 20 mins, but I have more skill than that.
Quality takes time. Speed makes poor nails'

Excellent reply.

 

[geeg]

BUT YOU CAN COMPETE WITH THE WONDERBOY!!

I'd say, "you want 20 minute nails?? I can do that every 10 days using PopIts and no drills and no nail damage!!

Why don't you peeps realise that you now (for the first time) CAN compete with the 20 minute full set using PopIts??

Not everyone wants this service, but If you have clients that clearly want the Speed more than the health of their nails, then why not offer BOTH to them using PopIts?? SO EASY.

 

[talented talons]

Well, i would've wanted to scream at her and say, "I don't need a drill to perfect my nails, they are sculpted with my brush, all my clients have nno and have lovely natural nails underneath as i DON'T cause damage, plus, you get what you pay for and you are obviously paying a butcher and a cowboy to do yours, so i wouldn't want to touch your nails with a barge pole!"

Like i say, i would WANT to say this but would've politely said i do quality nails which take a little more time as you can't rush perfection. (well something like that anyway...lol):lol:

 

['chelle]

Congratulations for remaining professional, I would have wanted to raise my voice to that!! I think that this lady needs it pointing out that her nails are "trashed" BECAUSE she has let this 20 minute wonder butcher her nails for the past 3 years, he is not helping the problem, he IS the problem!

 

[tracey louise]

its always hard when you are put in this situtation.i hate it because you do just want to snap back but you know you cant.i agree with whats already been said but do you think you could tempt her in even letting you just try and do one of her nails to see what she thinks?
the trouble is ,is if she is happy with her nails by this other salon and she doesnt think there doing anything wrong then shes not going to change anyway and she obviously doesnt appreciate a good nail tech when she see's one.

 

[min11]

As Geeg says, why not try her with Popit nails? :hug:

 

[1999judy]

If I had to do a set in 20 minutes my ladies would hate me leaving so soon!!
They have tried to drag it out as long as possible even at 80 odd years old.
Time aint everything.
To do a file and polish on an 80 odd year old woman and have a coffee and a cigarette can sometimes make you feel like you are sooo needed and loved.
And to get a kiss and a love on the way way out once a fortnight can make u feel so loved too.
Life is too short. Forget the NSS and think of how well you are doing yourself. xxx

 

[mannipatch]

If I had to do a set in 20 minutes my ladies would hate me leaving so soon!!
They have tried to drag it out as long as possible even at 80 odd years old.
Time aint everything.
To do a file and polish on an 80 odd year old woman and have a coffee and a cigarette can sometimes make you feel like you are sooo needed and loved.
And to get a kiss and a love on the way way out once a fortnight can make u feel so loved too.
Life is too short. Forget the NSS and think of how well you are doing yourself. xxx

I agree completly with this post.
It is not just about nails but also the feel good factor. If I had my clients nails done in 20 mins I don't think they would be back. They know I can do them quicker if they are in a hurry but most of the time it is about a coffee, a chat and nice nails at the end. You could offer to do one of her nails for free, a poppit, and see what she thinks. As said previous, Forget the NSS, there will always be people for them because that is all they want but you offer a different, professional and personal service. Excellant service and not a conveyor belt. Don't let it get you down.

 

[sam1]

I agree 20minute sets don't sound like alot of fun, abit production line but you don't have to be a nss to provide fast service without compromising quality. A refill every ten days would require minimal work and even with hand filling and could be done in 25 to 30 minutes so if you were using an efile(with proper training of course) 20 minutes would be no problem especially if you have your brush technique down then a quick buff to refine should suffice then finish with a finishing gloss instead of buffing to a high shine.
You could explain to your this lady that taking extra time and not retipping every three months would mean less appointment for her in the long run(instead of two a month she would only need them done once a month). Being fast isn't a bad thing and as you do more you do get faster but its all about choices and not all clients will be a great fit you will always have some who choose the fast option and others who will want a more personal service.

 

[nailzoo]

I'd be careful in what you declare.

More and more apparently NSS are swapping over to EMA rather than MMA (they are catching on) and their skills are improving ... sure they use an efile, they do lack preparation and their nails are thicker, but some are starting to churn out pretty good work, they are bloody fast (the work is not quite as refined, also they are starting to last longer) but nonetheless they are picking their game up, some of "them" are very skilled. Lately I've actually been impressed with quality considering time taken.

Where is this gonna leave us ? when we can't bitch about MMA ?

More and more are swapping to EMA, then we just have to admit they are faster and don't faff around.

I've been watching these buggers and they are picking up their game, they know what we are bitching about and they are improving their skills.

All they have to do is take a little more care and cause less damage, then they will have us by the short and curlies.

 

[jadegirl]

i'm like you, would have frozen and not know what to say.

I've tried it with my best friend who regularly gets her nails done at an nss even though I've offered to do her's for free just to show her. I've explained the damage caused, told her nail physiology, that these nss aren't qualified and sometimes illegal and she still won't listen. The end result looks good and thats all she cares about which is funny cause she is so particular about what she does with her hair and skin! but hey as someone said some people just wont change

 

[sodabubble]

thats so true, some people are so picky about skin and hair products but it's like they see nails as an accessory so they dont seem bothered about the nails natural health and welfare.

I need to kick my own arse with the poppits and get practising!!


In regards to what you said nailzoo - its scary isnt it! I just hope the NSS's dont start doing rapid beauty treatments too or I'll probably be out of a job - full leg wax in 5 mins, 10 minute facials......scary thought!!!!

 

[1999judy]

Although I don't want to put the dampeners on the thread I have to say that I have never really worried about NSS.
No matter how quickly they work they never have the good customer service, conversational expertise and never develop a bond with their clients.
It's in out shake it all about....now give me your money.
JMHO of course.

 

[Bagpuss]

I agree Judy....fair enough there are not any too near me....but i never see them as my competition...they ain't in the same league. They are faster...they are cheeper...but that doesn't bother me at all. My clients don't feel rushed and they don't mind paying for the quality..standards and service that i offer, they don't offer any of these things.

 

[nicky's nails]

I agree with Judy and Angie, although I dont have that many L&P clients yet the one that i did who preferred to go back to the NSS was because of speed, the few others I have done, have commented when ive apologised because of the time , have said "but its been lovely gabbing and having coffee etc, and not being hurt"

as for my mani/pedi clients, as Judy said a hug or kiss when you finish or a trying to book next appt before polish is even dry on this one, makes you feel worthwhile, I think most of my clients want the personal touch, not the cheapest or quickest option, I dont miss the other type of clients tbh,

xxx

 

[geeg]

How many of you believe we can learn best from the experience of others?

No one has in my opinion listened to Carl's post which is one of the most important in this thread. Look at what he is experiencing. Listen to what he says. This is what happened in the USA and is now obviously happening in Australia. The NSS trained tecs are getting better. They are leaving the cut price salons and setting up on their own. They are proud of what they do and many use good products and drills with skill. They are learning and WE are standing still and living in cuckoo land thinking that a long as we give a good service and a sanitary one then speed doesn't matter.

Well I've got news for you. Speed does matter to allot of people (which is obvious) because these places have more clients than perhaps you do.
Now you have a tool that can fight against others' quick service and you can be pampering and non damaging. You know what it is .. PopIts. Those of you who ignor what is happening are going to be left out in the cold.

There are NSS in the USA but not nearly so many as there are good nail salons run by good technicians who are of Asian descent. 65%+ of all liscenced nail techs in the USA areof Asian descent and they are doing good business and working well and charging much more and working less hard than they did in the days when they learned in the discount salons.

It will happen in the UK too. So know it and get ready for it by being as good as they are and as fast as they are. Fast does not have to mean that the client is suffering or that the nails are worse or even cheaper.

 

[PeepPaws]

I have been using my popits on some clients. I have been doing them at a reduced price as I am learning. I am now getting nearer to adding this as a service to those who want speed.
As most of you on here have stated, your clients like the time , chat, coffee etc. That's great! However, there will be as many again who want the speed.

I feel that being able to use the popits.....(hardly any air bubbles now Geeg!!), I am able to offer a faster service to those that want or need it. I worry about the faster salon's alot. I know there are lots setting up or already up and running successfully near me. I am still working on my times and still need to get them down by about 1/2 hour. Still takes me about 2 hours to do a set. With the popits I am doing it in about an hour with tips and just pink or clear. Need Geeg to help me with the pink and white finish.......(Hint, Hint)