Without stating prices how do you price?

[DragonsMom]

Do you price by size? by breed? do you have packages they can buy over that price?

[Arrooh]

I sort of have a general price

I hate haggeling etc. so I have a price and it covers most small dogs. Baths are different too, but still general. I feel that I win some, I lose some. Many are easy and some are hard. It more than evens out in the end to me. Of course I add bucks for Cockers, Standard Poodles, or light mats (don't comb out very matted dogs). I think my way is unusual, but I like it.

I wouldn't want to charge hourly, because I'm more the artist type, and love when I have the time to turn out a gorgeous groom. Also I like to chit chat with the owners, as I do housecall and wouldn't want to feel they felt I was using them for extra pay.

Nice that we can often do it "our way". Mobile I charge about 15 to 20 bucks over local shops prices.

Do a search under prices/pricing/charges etc. and you'll find lots of information on this board regarding prices.

[PAWS]

I think in a shop setting you can still use this 'formula': Add up your expected expenses for 1 year and add to it what you want to make/what you need to pay your staff for 1 year (gross pay). Divide by the number of dogs (average) your shop can turn out in a year, xx dogs per day multiplied by number of work days you will be open. This dollar amount should be your minimum groom fee. Now, you can knock a little off for bath only dogs, and of course, add to it for larger more complicated grooms. I think it's a great idea to have hourly rates for added fees, ie. dematting/deshedding/hand scissoring, etc. This doesn't necessarily make you competitive with your surrounding shops, but it will keep you from starting rediculously low for your area. I am mobile and used this formula...so far I am making out pretty well.

[MinnyPinny]

In our salon, we try to price according to the time we spend on the pet. Of course, with a new customer, it often times winds up taking longer than expected due to behavior issues, mats, special needs, etc. Usually, we charge $X for what we call "face, feet, & tail", which is a bath, brush and shape-up. On a poodle, that includes re-shaving the feet and face (basically, everything minus an actual all-over hair cut). For very small dogs, a haircut is the B&B price + $5, slightly larger dogs, it's +$10 and for larger dogs, it's +$15. The owner also prices "regulars" less (those that come in every 1-6 weeks). I don't agree with this way of pricing because I think we are undercharging, expecially for regulars. Also, when we have a price increase, she doesn't go up on the regulars...some of them have not had a price increase in over 5 years! Needless to say, I don't think this is a good way to price, but, not my salon...

[Gracy Rose]

We price by breed catagory: Small terriers (westie, scottie, etc), Large Full Coated (Golden Retrievers, Akita, etc.), Small Curly Coated (Miniature Poodle, Bichon, etc).

I do have some add-ons. Check out my website and you will get all of your answers:-) fauxpawsgrooming.com

[workingchihuahua]

hourly with minimum charges

[blhickson]

I charge $60 an hour. It's posted on my price list in the lobby so there's no mistaking that if your dog, even if it's small or large, requires that much time or more, that's what it's going to cost. Better to educate the customer that it behooves them to have a well-mannered dog that is easy to groom.

[RevWind]

I'm mobile and I didn't want the hassle of pricing per breed or other such, so I just price by time and I leave some wiggle room for extra work. My base includes the first hour and a half since I'm so slow, then I charge hourly after that.

[CAAW]

We have base prices, and if the dog has longer hair, it'll be more, if it's bigger and fatter than most, it'll be more... And there are add ons.

[kellic]

REV, Thank you!!! I have been struggling and you answered it!!

[tequilarose2]

Heres how we price

I work at a vet clinic. We do our prices by weight. (and size) But mostly by weight. small 1-20lbs, med 21-40, etc. With extra charges for dematting, difficult handeling......... Bath & nails small 1-20lbs, med 21-60, large 61-100, and x-large >100. Full groom prices include bath, cut, nails, ears, & glands. This has worked well for us for many years.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

I work at a vet clinic. We do our prices by weight. (and size) But mostly by weight. small 1-20lbs, med 21-40, etc. With extra charges for dematting, difficult handeling......... Bath & nails small 1-20lbs, med 21-60, large 61-100, and x-large >100. Full groom prices include bath, cut, nails, ears, & glands. This has worked well for us for many years.

My 5lb. yorkie has silky hair, and I have 2 pomeranians I groom that weigh about the same, only they have double coats. So do you price the double coated breeds the same as the silky, thin coated breeds, for a bath n' brush?

Tammy in Utah

[mylady]

We charge based on TIME because thats what they are really paying for. our time using our knowledge and expertise. So that way when someone comes in with a 20 pound cocker and an 80 pound cocker (yes I used to do one of those) they don't question why one dog is more than the other. I've worked at salons that priced by breed or by size and always had people who thought their 30 pound Shih Tzu should cost the same as their neighbors 10 pound Shih Tzu. That way we also don't have to charge separately for dematting. If it takes longer it costs more and we are up front about that with the clients. If you sit down and figure your costs per hour you should know how much you have to charge per hour to groom a dog.

[MysticRealm]

tequilarose>> You charge the same amount for a teddy bear or breed trim as you would for a kennel clip? ouch, that has to suck

[Chuck]

I can send you a price list that you can ratio to your area.

Dear Dragons Mom,

If you would like PM me and I will send you my list. It breaks it down all ways.

By breed, base price, any extras.
By size and length of coat base price, any extras.
By time, hourly rate, any extras.

Chuck