Have you ever had a client try to haggle your prices? Here’s what to do if it happens
By Emma Hobday | 25 November 2021 | Business, Feature
Negotiating prices. We’ve all been there – using vouchers at a restaurant, making use of Groupon deals, entering codes at checkout for online shopping – but asking for a discount at a nail salon can have a serious impact on business and should not be encouraged.
Here Scratch chats to two nail techs, who share their experiences of how they handle clients who haggle…
Emma Creighton, owner of the Black Heart salon in Hemsworth, Yorkshire, remembers one client in particular who tried to haggle with her over her pricing.
“I had a client who stated that she could only afford 50% off the price advertised. I agreed to this, then told her that the appointment would be half the time – one hour instead of the usual two hours for the sculpted nail design in question,” says Emma.
“She questioned why, and I told her that as she was only paying for 50% of the service, she was only paying for one hand; half the work and therefore half the time. She was a little speechless but then understood and was lovely about the way I had handled it. She paid in full and has been a loyal, regular client ever since.”
“My prices are what they are for a reason,” comments Emma. “Haggling can hurt; it can make you devalue yourself, question your pricing, and cause anxiety when certain clients book in for an appointment – as you may be worried about the confrontation.”
“I handle clients who haggle with kindness and humour to save awkwardness. Your prices aren’t too high; you just may not be in someone’s budget and that’s OK, because you will be in someone else’s. Never charge less off of the back of someone else thinking you charge too much, because you don’t. Always charge your worth, and more importantly, always know your worth.”
Florida based nail tech, Cecilia Bustamante, had a new client who reached out to enquire about Cecilia’s nail services. “I walked her through the gel polish manicure and spa pedicure services, which seemed most appropriate. The following day, she got in touch to say that she wanted to go ahead with the spa pedicure, and asked me for the price. After I told her the price, she said that she will be bringing her own polish, and again asked for the cost,” says Cecilia.
Cecilia told the client that the price would stay the same, even if she were to bring her own product, and then closed the conversation by telling the client she had closed her books for new clients due to the Christmas season fast approaching.
“This experience felt good as I, the trained nail technician, know the value of my service and I seek clients that are committed to care for their natural nails and who are serious about consistency.
Cecilia’s advice for others who come across haggling clients is to stand your ground. “Every new client you book should know of your prices and cancellation policy. Stand your ground, don’t sell yourself short, educate yourself, take classes, and make sure you make a profit.”