theres a new groomer in town

[shihtzugirl]

New to this board. I have been grooming for over 5 years in a small
town that has grown alot in the last few years. I have been the only
groomer all this time. I have good clientele and reputation, which I am
very happy about. Just found out a new groomer has moved into
a strip mall around the corner from me. I realize there is plenty of
dogs to go around for every one. Just wanted to know how some of
you deal with this kind of situation. I have added for advertising for this
year and just trying to keep my shop updated. Is there any other recommendations.

[Peaster]

I'd suspect you will have a few who will "try the new place" don't let it get you down. Your quality will speak for itself and most will come back and be the most loyal clients. Good luck.

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Just keep doing what you've been doing. If you are over-booked, then go meet the other groomer and be a friend. Offer to send your overflow to her. If she's not nice, then send your mean dogs to her, LOL.

Seriously, it is hard to find other groomers sometimes who want to be "friends" with another groomer, it's like they're a threat or something. See if you can get to know her, it doesn't hurt to have people "on your side" when the going gets tough.

Tammy in Utah
PS: I lived in several small town in Upstate NY--are you in Upstate?

[baddog]

I always look at it as a positive, it will draw more dogfs to the area. Also being established 5 years gives you more of an advantage for the "slow " periods, most new business are making it month to month.

[grateful dog]

Hi my name is Randi I am new to board I just opened a grooming shop 5 months ago in a small town in vermont I been grooming for 19 years now I have to say that your loyal customers will stay with you buisness has been grate I know theres another shop in area all i can say is I do the best job I can do for every animal that comes in and the phone keeps ringing with new customers and repeats all the time

[hairdevil]

offers extra services that your "rival" doesn't. That personal touch can make all the difference in the world!

[Helly]

I agree that your loyal customers will stay with you. That's why we call them loyal, lol.

I think one of the most important things to do is make it easy for people to do business with you. Look at things from the other side of the desk, and think about what you'd want if you were the customer.

Aside from the obvious, a good groom, sanitary conditions, and a fair price, people look for convenience, a pleasant greeting, and a groomer who understands that sometimes there has to be a little wiggle room.

I have a lot of clients who drive 30 miles or more to have me groom their dogs. It's not because there aren't other shops that are closer to them. It's not because I'm the almighty Grooming Goddess of the state. It's because I make it easy for them to do business with me. Need to drop off early and/or pick up late? No problem, just arrange it in advance. Need to have an express groom? Definately not a problem. Elderly pet needs special TLC and monitoring? Can do.

If you're going to do advertising, keep in mind the principle of using "power words". When you're applying for a new job, power words are words like implimented, increased productivity, initiated, developed. For grooming, power words inculde humane handling, all natural products, your pets safety and comfort are our #1 priority, convenient hours and location.

You aren't saying the other shops don't do the same thing. But stating that you do makes people wonder; does that other place offer the same things?

[ejmj30]

I have never felt like other places are my competition. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I feel I offer something totally different than anyone else in town. I do good work, and I make the pets comfortable, and I have a spa type atmosphere. I walk down the street and see some dogs I groom, and so many I don't. There's so many dogs out there, that I know I'll cater to some and not to others. This doesn't mean I don't advertise and try and attract people into my shop, etc.

If it was me, I'd either call, or go in to the new shop and welcome them, wish them luck, maybe tell them of some problem clients. You don't have to get too buddy buddy if you don't want to, but I'd at least say hello and be the bigger person. On a side note, you can also get a feel of their shop when youg go, and see what they lack and where you can have your strengths (poor customer service, stinky salon, rough handling of dogs, etc). I say be the classier person and make the first positive move, then the ball's in her court.

[shihtzugirl]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have worked hard in the last 5 yrs
to build back this shop and to bring in more customers. I guess this just
made me a little nervous. I work very hard and offer my clients a lot at a reasonable price. I love my job and my customers. The first week I heard about this shop opening, I did loose a nights sleep, but then realized that
I have a very good reputation. Maybe going in and introducing myself
isn't such a bad idea. That was my first thought. It gives me a chance
to check out her shop. My shop will be business as usual with a few upgrades to make my shop it even better.

[cassidy1]

Stop by with a plant and have a look see. We had someone new move into the area under less than legit circumstances (had stopped by our place, told me he was opening a couple of towns over, I helped him with info and then he moved in about 2 miles away). We were still curtious and then I watched him set himself up to fail, he offered "white glove service",etc. We are what we are and we don't pretend to be anything that we are not ie:home or the Ritz hotel. Of course there were the curious who then came and reported that our place is so much nicer! We make it a policy to never comment on our competitors. Bye the way, he shut the door one day and defaulted on his lease and loans.

[KarlaSnyder]

Please don't lose any sleep over this. Your loyal clients will still be loyal to you. I don't worry about some competition, I think it brings out the best in us and keeps us from becoming too complacent. Always plenty of pets to go around. I agree, introduce yourself. She's the one that's taking a gamble-you're already established. I'd rather be in your shoes than hers any day.

[bitty]

I agree with Cassidy...stop by with a plant and welcome them to the neighborhood. Be courtious, we also don't comment on other shops to clients. You taking the first step is always the biggest step. You will reap the rewards of your gesture and meeting them will also put you at ease. Like Helly says, good work and sanitary conditions will always prevail. And you said yourself, plenty of dogs to go around. Good Luck!!

[pawsnstuff]

get the rest you deserve

please dont lose sleep i'm a new groomer but i know where i am is not where i need to be.. i can tell by your posts the pets come first and thats what matters!!! your customers may check it out especially prices but thats there mistake.. once a person finds a groomer they can trust they need to stay... if i cant get an appointment with my hairdresser right away i wait so why are the dogs different??? if they go over there and stay you dont need them!! you want people who will stay because they want there pets to be in familiar happy sourroundings not because someone else is new.. those are the true loyal customers who will refer you more and more and they are the business builders!!

[groomin'blonde]

stopping by there brings back memories............

LOL!! Everyone telling you to stop by there, brings back a memory I thought I had lost. 8 years ago when I opened my shop here. I had a visit from this weird lady acting kind of funny. She stopped in, didn't have a dog with her or anything. She kept looking around at everything and kind of invited herself into the back before I could make it to the front. (I do have a pretty open floor plan.) Then she said she needed to make a phone call and asked to use the phone. So behind my front desk she went and pretended (?) to call someone she never spoke to anyone. Then she left real quick. Well, I had a good friend who is a tech at the local vet. She was coming in as the lady went out, and she informed me that the lady owned another pet salon in the area. Oh well!!! I wish she would of introduced herself and been friendly. I would liked to have talked to her! Instead she acted like she had amnesia!! I guess she seen me as a threat and no good use to her. I see her point. One the other hand I wish things didn't have to be such a competition. There are puppies born everyday......

[baddog]

What ever you do, do not talk badly about the new shop, even if a customer starts the conversation , simply reply "I am not familuar with the shop or their policies or grooming proceedures, now, how may I help you today" ...I had a shop open up across the street from me years ago, the lady soon statred bashing my shop as an "assembly line" grooming salon. She was renting space in a pet shop, this went on and on , she'd approach people in the pet shop and just start bashing my salon, I called her to speak to her about it and she was nuts! Telling me how I "let" my pitbulls run loose in the shop and how dangerous that was, I tried to explain to her that I don't own any pitbulls, only a toy poodle and 2 yorkies and they stay home, she proceeded to call me a liar!!!! I vowed to put her out of business in 6 months and I did. I just kept letting her run at the mouth and I would never retaliate, it drove her nuts and eventually out of business!