Christmas season shop hoppers ........

[BIG M]

Is it something others suspect or know happens? We have had a few oay customers that obviously take care of their dogs only show in Dec. In other words they have been to a groomer regularly. We suspect them to be dodging their regular groomer to avoid tipping that Christmas bonus. Just a theory as we are seeing this trend again from last year. I so want to report them ......... but then to who? Yes it is a free country, and only business, but we do feel bad for the other groomer that did the grooms all year long. Of course they are tipping us nothing either. It is fun to learn all the little tell tale signs of "something is amiss" and "fishy" in this business.

[Michelle]

This is very true...
It's my 3rd christmas i m salon and i have a few people that only come to me at this time of year but are obviously going elsewhere the rest of the time!
A couple of local groomers only do a limited number of dogs so i get some of their over flow too. They usualy end up sticking with me, but some go back to their original groomer.
I have 3 appointments left for the next 3 weeks so i expect another groomer will get some of MY shop hoppers now!

[Jenneversage64]

I think some do avoid

the Holiday grooms with the regular groomer. But I also think when I get asked if I have time to groom someones' sons' dog, cuz he is visiting for the Holidays, is just incinsiderate of the back home one. I also can tell if one of my clients has been unfaithful. Do they think we don't know how fur grows? I hate the reply when asked to schedule for the new year. " Oh, I'll wait and see how long it takes to grow back. (Uh, 6weeks usually)

Some first, or second-timers just act like it is not a Holiday season;no tip, and not even a Merry Christmas til I say it first. But I got a nice $20 tip from a second groom Tuesday, for Christmas. She tipped well the first one too.

[kputman]

or maybe . . .

. . . they just can't get in at their regular groomer because they are already booked. And they probably are not regular tippers either. Last I checked, tipping <even during the holidays> is optional, not required.

[gr8danlvr1]

We do get a few that use other groomers the rest of the year then come to us right before the holidays. I have noticed that a few of these dogs have some pretty not so great haircuts. Like they want the cheaper shop all the rest of the year, but want us to make the dog look good for the holidays when the family is going to be over.

[abandk03]

I just had one today! I do hope they come back as this Yorlie was all butchered up, she seemed very happy and gave me a tip.

[fiveoclockdog]

When I reopened in October of last year my business really boomed in December. It was comprised mainly of people who couldn't get in at their regular groomer. They had waited too long to book. I still have most of those clients this year and I made darn sure they booked early for Christmas. Oh! and most of them tipped me well or brought a gift. I think a lot of people just can't get a booking and want Rover pretty for the holidays.

[Moonpiepoodlz]

I just accept that it's part of our industry. You're always going to get those that don't get their appointments scheduled in time for the holidays so their regular groomer is book and then there are also those who just go from shop to shop trying to find the cheapest groom for the best quality.

[FurReal]

I think you are reading too much into it. A person who would go to the trouble of changing groomers just to avoid a holiday tip wouldn't bother to change groomers just to avoid a holiday tip. (If that makes any sense). Their regular groomer is probably just booked up.

Some of my best customers don't tip, even at the holidays. Some tip huge and that is awesome. I charge what I need to and don't worry about it. My customers pay my bills all year long, not just at Christmas.

[KarlaSnyder]

ForReal, I so agree. Most of my clients tip year round. Some don't tip at all, but I love them anyway.

[BIG M]

FurReal .......

i think you might be on to something. Why change groomers if you never tip anyway? We are not obssessing about it, but it is just strange that a few clients we had for one groom last December have returned in the same month this year. Nice people, but in our shop the vast majority of our non tippers during the year throw a tip or gift at year's end.

[kwpgrooming]

I think it is more often that they can not get into their regular groomer and use another. I am booked up till after the new year, and some of my clients who put off making their appointments and can't wait until my next available, either have to take a bath only appointment or try another shop.