Competitors

[TheyCallMeMom]

I have a question about how to go about this, the right way.. Satan gave me all kinds of crazy ideas. LOL . But I need to do this right

Here is the situation

I opened a salon in Sept.. we have a few grooming facilities in the area and most have decent groomers.. except one.. OMG! she is terrible.. she has two young girls who rough in and bathe her dogs.. she is the essential "chop shop". She has cut and/ or razor burned more dogs in the last year than I have in my entire 14 year career.. she specializes in #7 shave downs.. no technique.. she doesnt even use a blow dry..not even poodles.. they all sit in kennels with heated cage dryers on them. her customer service skills vary by day.. I worked in her salon earlier this year.. I know this first hand..

Thing is she is slammed! I have advertised, offered $ off coupons, and every client who has come in has been very happy, but I need more. I just cant figure out 1. why she is so busy and 2. how do I get her clients to at least "try" me? I have done so much advertising but I am pretty much out of $$.. and patience..

[groomingfool]

The biggest boost we got in our business was from a newspaper article that was printed on a Monday in the Lifestyle section of the paper. They put in a large color photo of us and wrote about our experience and the philosophy of the owners - We treat your dog like family. We are normally not open on a Monday, but it was President's day and the kids were all out of school. BAM! That phone didn't stop ringing the whole week. That two week period we had our best weeks ever to date! Call the paper and invite them to come and check you out.

Don't worry about your competitor, she's an established shop. Once people know you are out there and who you are and what you offer, the clients will come without coupons! Hang in there, just keep the good karma going out and good karma will come back and reward you.

[poodlecsigreen]

Competitors

Is she the low price leader? Does your town have a large percentage of non English speakers or very uneducated citizens? These types of customers tend to care more about price and longevity of the groom than they do about nicks, cuts and razor burn and how their dog is dried. As long as you do not loose or kill their dog, cause them a vet bill and the dog is nice and short and clean when they pick him/her up they just do not care about anything else. Is it possible that there are just not enough educated custmers who earn a good living to support an other grooming shop in your town? Just my take on your situation.

[PuppyFluffer]

Is she the low price leader? Does your town have a large percentage of non English speakers or very uneducated citizens? These types of customers tend to care more about price and longevity of the groom than they do about nicks, cuts and razor burn and how their dog is dried. As long as you do not loose or kill their dog, cause them a vet bill and the dog is nice and short and clean when they pick him/her up they just do not care about anything else. Is it possible that there are just not enough educated custmers who earn a good living to support an other grooming shop in your town? Just my take on your situation.

Whoa! You just described 30% of my client base....sad but true.

[poodlecsigreen]

Competitors

Hey PuppyFluffer, I am in the southern part of Ca, Escondido in North San Diego County, and 50% of my mobile clients are that way. It is sad but true.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

she is the essential "chop shop". She has cut and/ or razor burned more dogs in the last year than I have in my entire 14 year career.. she specializes in #7 shave downs.. no technique.. she doesnt even use a blow dry..not even poodles.. they all sit in kennels with heated cage dryers on them. her customer service skills vary by day.. I worked in her salon earlier this year.. I know this first hand...

I reckon used to work there, too.

[Hello Kitty FTW]

I used to work down the street

From a really bad shop, and we put a sign out front that said "Bad grooming job done? Let us fix it for you!" And poof! Out from the woodwork they came!

[TheyCallMeMom]

I have suggested it to both papers but they want me to buy ads.. not do stories on me.. I joked with one lady I was going to get hit out front just to make the paper! LOL

She is the low price leader, but not by much.. I was actually told recently she went up on her bath dog prices..

As far as demographics, primarily English speaking, education is lower but not low..

I was planning an ad in a local bi monthly mag that had a terrible grooming pic and one of mine and have the ad say something like, "looking for a good groomer?" I think alot of it is thats what they have always gotten and so they think thats how its supposed to be.. they dont know they have options..

I have coupons all over town, including 1500 that went door to door.. I am also going to create a monthly newsletter type of deal as well to put in local stops..

[dogspaw]

UGH! I have one of those down the road from me too, and even though they have been on the news several times for animal cruelty they are still busy. I think some people just really dont know that there can be a better way to get your dog groomed till they actually try it. Maybe try hosting an open house so they can come in and see your salon, and have plenty of before and after pics available for them to look at. Have cookies for the dogs and something for the owner. Just invite them in so they can see what it CAN be like to have your dog groomed. (Wow I just may do this myself! Thanks for getting my brain working lol )

[poodlecsigreen]

Competitors

They Call me Mom, Are you in a small rual town? If she was born and bred in this town and you wre not, inother words you are a transplant, this could be part of your problem. They go to her because she is part of the fabric of the town. Where you are a suspcious outsider. This kind of small town mentality is all over this country.

[TheyCallMeMom]

she has been grooming 3 years. she has been in town for 2 years.

[poodlecsigreen]

Competitors

Then I have to say it's because her grooming prices are a few dollars cheaper than yours. These days with the great recession every penny counts and these days a few dollars can make or break any bussiness deal, even a grooming appointment.