Would you have a competitor salon have a treatment in your home salon?

[Sharpie]

Hi wondering if those with home salons and salons for that matter would give treatments to competitor therapists. Before when i was in a salon it didnt bother me but in the last 2 days Ive had a couple of requests from seperate therapists wanting a treatment but here lies the problem - they are both wanting to establish homes salons!!! I feel like they are on a scouting mission! I will be honest they are in very close proximity to me and very persistent with wanting an appointment - I always try and see the good in people but I have a really bad feeling especially when one said she wanted to do the same therapies as me! One is less than a mile from me and i live in an area awash with beauticians but i have earned a good reputation.

Would you take the bookings? or am i cutting my nose off to spite my face?

 

[Trinity]

Tough call, if they are determined to set up a business it won't make any difference if you do them or not, they'll still do it.

That said if they ask you about setting up I would be inclined to explain to them in very great detail just how much training, time, effort and money it takes to become a great therapist. Make the treatment so amazing they wonder how they could begin to complete and watch their faces drop in amazement when they realise it's not as easy as slapping stuff on someones face and playing plinky plinky music at home all day.

Many of my clients comment on all my certificates on the wall and the number of courses I've taken, I take great care to explain each one and give them a rough idea of how much they cost, they soon have a new understanding of my work and prices.

 

[MissConfused]

i don't know why you would refuse them? it's still money at the end of the day and if they want to pay you to have a snoop around then great - people on here can snoop at other peoples gallerys and what treatments they are offering, what products people are using all for free, at least you will be getting paid for it! if they turn up for the appointment then treat them as you would any other client, if they ask you questions then answer them - what have you got to hide? all the info and advice you have to give them is readily available on google. them snooping and asking you questions is no different to us on here asking each other for their recommendations about products and training and to show off their salon/home salon pics etc.

i don't think it's the end of the world because there is potentially 2 people setting up a business near you, don't worry about it. compettition keeps you on your toes and stops you from becoming lazy. don't forget you are 1 step ahead because you are actually a fully established, reputable business. x

 

[kezza*]

Two of my friends both do beauty some themselfs, one mobile and the other home based. For years both kept telling me to do some thing on my owe, when I did decide both were great and supportive, I would home-based hwn the help of both them. My friend that's home based told me to see her room and when I did set up she came round and came me advice n how I can improve. Now both come to me and I go to them, the one mobile had a baby and Iadvised her hoem based which now she does, we are all within 3 miles. When I'm away on holiday, ill or to busy I refer people on to them and like wise. It works well.
There is also 2 other beauty therapist that work from home within1 mile on me that now come to me, you know as a beauty therapist you still want to be treated and you need someone. So what if people just want to be nosy you have nothing to hide you should be proud that they want to come to you.

 

[Terese]

Its money in your pocket and a chance for you all to find out about each other

Competition is healthy, keeps people on their toes abit...but I wouldnt worry, you have built up a good client base, no doubt loyal too, There is much to gain , like meeting up chatting about products, doing treatments on each other.

I would see it as a positive move and nothing to worry about, they arent worried are they?

 

[Chillaxing Girl]

I agree with most of the posts. I think you should take their money as they'll probably set-up regardless of whether they get to see your work or not. Give them the best possible experience and keep them on their toes. P.S. I run my treatment room from home too!

 

[shedunlop]

If you have good clients who are loyal to you then I wouldn't worry. Hide anything you don't want them to see and charge them full whack! You could even raise your prices for the day!! He he!!

I have several girls who have come to look at my home salon and it has done me no harm at all. We will always have people opening up close to us and at least these girls have told you who they are. You may have had others who didn't tell you!

If you are not comfortable with it then say 'no' you are fully booked, you don't have to do anything that you don't have to.

You may find that you make a friend or two though in this lonely profession, someone to go to shows with or to share the cost of further 'in salon' training so don't dismiss it too soon!

 

[Sharpie]

Hi - well I seen the lady and did the treatment with an open view that maybe its an opportunity to make another beauty friend but i was defo a nosey because she has friends who have more experience in the treatment i did on her so why pick me - I warm to most people but didnt warm to her and she asked a lot of questions on the products but im afraid i know my product inside and out but it took me a long time to learn that so i didnt divulge too much - i charged full price but the person was just not my cup of tea - she was kinda talking to me like she was the expert and she would tell me how to do it lol the second person couldnt make their appointment so that person is sorted. Interesting but i asked myself if i was a client would i like her and answer is no - therefore nothing to fear! Thanks for the replies!

 

[MissConfused]

people take to different people for different reasons. she also might act different when she is in a different role eg. she might speak and act differently to clients than she would if she was on the opposite side of the desk - to be honest i think most people do that with clients anyway as i'm sure not everybody is lives constantly curse word free and all sugary sweet haha. also, you are going to have a bad oppinion of her because from the start you've thought she was after your business, it'd be hard for you to like somebody with that in the back of your mind. don't think that just because you don't like her that nobody else will and that what you are doing will be enough - still see her as a competetion and still keep on learning about new products, different techniques and treatments to keep yourself 1 step ahead x

 

[mannipatch]

Absolutely! Take the money and smile. Concentrate on being the best you can be and forget it. It happens all the time. You never know they just might become your best and most regular clients as not everyone likes to do there own treatments. Good luck

 

[Kim Lawless]

Let them come and make sure your salon is in tip top condition that day, although I'm sure it always is anyway.

However, just remember to not give all your secrets away if they ask you lots of questions. They're not your new best mate........they are your competitor and remember that. Your new idea will become their new idea if you give too much away, so be friendly but play your cards close to your chest. xx

 

[Urban Geek]

I have loads of therapists and nail technicians from neighbouring salons come to me - sometimes as a one off and others quite regularly. If they don't divulge that they are therapists or nail technicians (most do), I can usually guess simply with the terminology they use is often a give away lol! Some genuinely simply want to come for a service and others come to have a wee peak inside my salon or perhaps a bit of both.

I try not to get too phased and give them a good treatment but I may hold back on little touches which I prefer to keep to myself. I also don't feel it is my job to educate them. If they try to pick my brains too much, I play quite dumb.

I like to build a good relationship if possible with competitor salons. I often send clients there way if I can't fit them in (most weeks) - I am not losing anything and it hopefully sends a positive message to them x

 

[steviemac]

Sounds like they were just carrying out some market research, if she was a 'know it all' then maybe her arrogance will ensure client don't warm to her. Take it as a compliment that they see you as a threat!