on a 1 1/2 year old Maltese. He is a handfull (very sweet just playful) and has a full thick coat. He is still young and still has a really cottony coat. I gave "mom" a deal at first for bringing him in weekly for x amount of $ way below the usual fee for a maltese. At first it went well, but it didnt last very long b4 the pup started coming in heavily matted. So i upped the $ "mom" wasnt happy of course but I explained to her how long it took me to demat and again explained to her the importance of brushing....her reply>>> she didnt think she needed to brush him since he was coming in every week... after I picked my jaw up off the floor I showed her how to brush him again and I explained to her that if she wanted to keep him in a full coat he had to be brushed daily or more. She evidently has a fenced in yard and when she is at work she lets him have at it "weather permitting" then if hes dirty she bathes him and lets him air dry by running through the house.
I have several weekly clients that have a discounted price some are weekly bc of skin conditions and other for maintance of full coats. Out of all those clients I have no problems but this one in particular just really gets upset when I say anything but when I spend hours dematting this pup for the price we intially agreed upon I'm losing money but she still acts like shes doing me a favor by coming in. It has gotten to where I dread Thursday when she comes in.
Last week she came in the day after her appointment to talk with me because I had upset her??? and she wanted to show me the brush she claims that she uses (which was a nice slicker brush) but when she came I was talking to another client that was on her way out. This other client has an adorable 16 y/o toy poodle. This poodle has lost most of her hair due to her age and thyroid problems but she still has a beautiful top knot, thick hair on her back that her mom lets grow a lil long to cover some of the bald areas. At any rate this poodle comes in every few weeks for her "spa" treatment as mom puts it and is an absolute doll. Anyway the malteses mom made the comment to her that she would just go ahead and put her dog down if it looked that bad...I was really upset and immediately went to the defense of the poodle telling her that that poodle was in excellent condition and very well taken care of and just left it at that. I turned back to the poodles mom and apologized for the other lady and told little "FiFi" that I would see her in a few weeks for her next spa day. They left and I was almost livid but sat through another hour (Thank goodness it was at the end of the day) of listening and explaining to her how a dogs hair becomes matted...I couldnt seem to get it across to her that hes a puppy he likes to run and play and that causes tangles which lead to heavy mats when they arent brushed out daily. Well, she finally seemed satisfied with my answers and instructions, she bought another slicker brush that I sell in the shop ever though I told her the one she had was perfectly fine if used daily and she left.
I probably shouldnt even worry about it because well its Thursday, and she didnt show up for her appointment. Is it wrong to secretly be glad??? I feel bad bc Im relieved she didnt come. When she first came to me the red flags were of course there...problems with past groomer, and of course wanting discounts.
But how do u guys handle clients like this? Do you give discounted prices to clients that come in weekly or biweekly? I mean it works out well for several of other clients that I have but these guys know how to care for their pets in between grooms. I just feel like Im the bad guy here but I know im not. I guess I should thank my lucky stars and just be done with it! But Im still curious if others have had similar incidences or what others would do!
Thx u guys!
I have several weekly clients that have a discounted price some are weekly bc of skin conditions and other for maintance of full coats. Out of all those clients I have no problems but this one in particular just really gets upset when I say anything but when I spend hours dematting this pup for the price we intially agreed upon I'm losing money but she still acts like shes doing me a favor by coming in. It has gotten to where I dread Thursday when she comes in.
Last week she came in the day after her appointment to talk with me because I had upset her??? and she wanted to show me the brush she claims that she uses (which was a nice slicker brush) but when she came I was talking to another client that was on her way out. This other client has an adorable 16 y/o toy poodle. This poodle has lost most of her hair due to her age and thyroid problems but she still has a beautiful top knot, thick hair on her back that her mom lets grow a lil long to cover some of the bald areas. At any rate this poodle comes in every few weeks for her "spa" treatment as mom puts it and is an absolute doll. Anyway the malteses mom made the comment to her that she would just go ahead and put her dog down if it looked that bad...I was really upset and immediately went to the defense of the poodle telling her that that poodle was in excellent condition and very well taken care of and just left it at that. I turned back to the poodles mom and apologized for the other lady and told little "FiFi" that I would see her in a few weeks for her next spa day. They left and I was almost livid but sat through another hour (Thank goodness it was at the end of the day) of listening and explaining to her how a dogs hair becomes matted...I couldnt seem to get it across to her that hes a puppy he likes to run and play and that causes tangles which lead to heavy mats when they arent brushed out daily. Well, she finally seemed satisfied with my answers and instructions, she bought another slicker brush that I sell in the shop ever though I told her the one she had was perfectly fine if used daily and she left.
I probably shouldnt even worry about it because well its Thursday, and she didnt show up for her appointment. Is it wrong to secretly be glad??? I feel bad bc Im relieved she didnt come. When she first came to me the red flags were of course there...problems with past groomer, and of course wanting discounts.
But how do u guys handle clients like this? Do you give discounted prices to clients that come in weekly or biweekly? I mean it works out well for several of other clients that I have but these guys know how to care for their pets in between grooms. I just feel like Im the bad guy here but I know im not. I guess I should thank my lucky stars and just be done with it! But Im still curious if others have had similar incidences or what others would do!
Thx u guys!
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