Still Happily Grooming After 25 years

[goldiphlox]

This is kind of a spinoff from the thread by Dawn125, "This Sharpoo owner really annoys me"

I have so much to say on the subject that I had to start a new thread. Please read my reply under her thread as well about 1 particular client that I had. I believe that this is a very important subject.
Putting up with some very rude clients can be very stressful for some groomers. Our job can be stressful enough. Some of you told Dawn125 to just take the money laugh it off. And that is very good advice if she is the type of person that can do that. But for some people, rude comments just eat away at them and they cannot be easily forgotten. I think you need to decide for yourself if it is worth keeping this very rude customer and being stressed everytime they call or letting them go. You'd probably be able to replace this customer with a very nice person, eventually. I personally do not groom dogs for people that are extremely difficult. I also do not groom extremely difficult dogs. Luckily, here in Fl we have an endless supply of nice people and nice dogs. If you are a happy, outgoing and kind groomer, the nice people that come in will recognize this and want you to groom their dog. They have been to so many places where the groomer was so unpleasant that they would not leave their dog with them. I cannot tell you how many times people have told me how surprized they are that I am soo nice. I have met many groomers that absolutely hate their jobs. Remember when we started out and we were so excited at the thought of working with animals because we love them so much. I guess I'll stop here and get your thoughts because I could really go on and on about this........

[Jengroomer]

I totally agree. I think loving your job, or still loving your job, and the animals makes the world of difference.
I still after over 20 years, kiss & hug them. Bichon's freshly bathed & fluffed make a great place to lay your head, great pillows! LOL
You gotta love it, and it will show. How you treat each client, and each pet. It's very important to let your love for what you do, shine through.

[scullysmom]

25 years that is great!! This business can make you burnt fast if you let it. I groomed for seven years and was so burnt I decided the Marines would be a far nicer place. Loved both grooming and the Military. Grooming will never leave your blood though (maybe because we ingest so much hair) kidding. Anyhow congrats, and it is true we need to just let it go when we can or it will eat us alive!

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Since I've been booked out for a couple of weeks (this being "booked out for 2 weeks" is a totally new concept for me personally), I've been far less stressed with the dogs because they are my regulars and the dogs are well-behaved and I am more likely to know what to do with the dog instead of the new clients where I don't know what to expect. It is nice to be able to send the OAY's down the road.

Tammy in Utah

[KarlaSnyder]

After 30 plus years, I still love my job too. People can somehow tell right off that you care deeply for the pets. Just the way you take them from the owner, and the way you talk to them.

Yeah, Spikey, doesn't it feel good when the OAYs call, and you can say, sorry, no openings!

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

Yeah, Spikey, doesn't it feel good when the OAYs call, and you can say, sorry, no openings!

It feels great! Then I picture the others in town breaking their backs...I'm so mean, lol.

Tammy in Utah

[goldiphlox]

So basically what i'm saying here is......don't put up with peoples ****......you are no less of a person then they are.they have no right to be rude to you. if they make you feel bad, kick them to the curb....you'll be much happier for it and that will reflect on you.You'll feel better. You won't dread going to work. And you can groom happy little dogs for happy little people......ok now i'm getting corny..... i know......but you get the point.

[eli]

I needed this. Thank You!

Great insight goldiphlox!

Thanks for sharing.
Erica

[Dawn125]

This is kind of a spinoff from the thread by Dawn125, "This Sharpoo owner really annoys me"

I have so much to say on the subject that I had to start a new thread. Please read my reply under her thread as well about 1 particular client that I had. I believe that this is a very important subject.
Putting up with some very rude clients can be very stressful for some groomers. Our job can be stressful enough. Some of you told Dawn125 to just take the money laugh it off. And that is very good advice if she is the type of person that can do that. But for some people, rude comments just eat away at them and they cannot be easily forgotten. I think you need to decide for yourself if it is worth keeping this very rude customer and being stressed everytime they call or letting them go. You'd probably be able to replace this customer with a very nice person, eventually. I personally do not groom dogs for people that are extremely difficult. I also do not groom extremely difficult dogs. Luckily, here in Fl we have an endless supply of nice people and nice dogs. If you are a happy, outgoing and kind groomer, the nice people that come in will recognize this and want you to groom their dog. They have been to so many places where the groomer was so unpleasant that they would not leave their dog with them. I cannot tell you how many times people have told me how surprized they are that I am soo nice. I have met many groomers that absolutely hate their jobs. Remember when we started out and we were so excited at the thought of working with animals because we love them so much. I guess I'll stop here and get your thoughts because I could really go on and on about this........

I am definitely the kind of person that can just groom the dog and take the money and laugh it off. At least in this case. That was just an owner who was a bit rude and thoughtless. My annoyance at her is more disbelief that someone is so dense that they don't realize that their actions are just kind of rude. But I am generally a peacemaker and tend to never rock the boat. I can't think of an owner that has upset me to the point that I would fire them yet. The type of owner that would warrant firing is the one that constantly complains about the haircut no matter what you do. That is the type of person that I would just let go and get on with my day. Luckily I haven't run across that person yet (I'm knocking on wood right now).

[HoundLover]

well i think this is kinda funny...after my former boss fired me...my mom was at a gas station getting gas...and some guy asked where to find the grooming shop where i worked at...(before iw as fired). well....my mom didnt say anything. another lady spoke up and said...yes...its blah blah here. you have to go back down this street and its around a curve. well...she then went on to say...well i wouldnt go to her...i used to bring my dog there but when i asked her where her bather was she said oh she decided to run off and get married on me...(uh...total LIE LOL! im not even married yet im still engaged!) just to make her self look better...anyways...the lady said she wouldnt go back there and that the only reason she DID go there was because of me! (that made me feel so special then!) because I greeted the dogs BY name at the door, petted them and kissed them and basically loved them in front of the owners...while my boss would just pet them, and say okay what haircut do you want today? basically like that. this lady also recommended that this guy go to another salon that was in the next town over...said she went there and liked it alot better..she said that the owner of the salon (where i used to work) was a loony person who was quite rude with her a few times...and that the only reason she continued going there was because of how I was with her dog...so thats the only reason she was satisfied.
i thought it was quite funny...
Hound

[sabiknow]

Thanks for this!

You know I JUST fired a client this morning for being "difficult" (lady, not the dogs). As I was going through the things in my head that I was going to say, I started to get all anxious and nervous... Hopped on the forum to read some posts & calm down, and I have come to the same conclusion.
This is my business and I run the show. I can not be caused stress & anxiety pleasing absolutely ridiculous requests. I can also not sacrifice the safety of other pets because Fifi can't go in the BIG SCARY cage. If people want one-on-one grooming, they will have to compensate me for it. At the end of the day, whatever approach needs to be taken to accomplish your own sense of well being is the most important.
Usually I find most conflicts can be resolved with simply educating clients about the process. In 4 years I have NEVER fired someone for their attitude, so it doesn't happen often. After leaving her a message explaining that I can not meet her needs (NOT even gonna go into all the stuff she's pulled) and please call me for a referral for a mobile groomer if she'd like, she called me back. Left a message stating that she has plenty of groomers that she works with & will not need that reference. Ok, great! (although she's lying, haha), problem averted & I will no longer deal with her, unless it's on my terms...period.
These type of clients cost you time, patience & $$$. Don't drive yourself batty trying to please them. Be direct & honest, and hopefully they will sing a different tune! Otherwise... out the door they go

[maladee]

you do not need the stress

I have been grooming 21yrs ,I have had my OWN mobile business for only one yr.When I worked for someone else if the boss did not want to deal with a very picky or rude client she would make me do it.

Now that I have my own business I do not allow anyone to walk all over me ,I just tell them "I am declining to do their dog"I have the power BRA HA HA HA (insert evil laugh)

sherry

[Jenneversage64]

I noticed this is a very old thread/post, but the problem is current

and on going. I think we teach people how to treat us. I would not waste my life (life is precious and all too short) on rude clients that take away joy from my day. We don't know how many days we have left. what if that day with the rude client, was your last on earth?
We had a funeral today for a wonderful cop from Phoenix. Young with a two week old baby! Shot to death a week ago. So this is an eye-opener. Be picky, and only groom dogs that make you happy with appreciative, polite clients. Life is too short! This officers' was waaay too short. We provide a wonderful service...but more than that, we are human beings who deserve respect and decent treatment.

[RPS]

I may be int the minority here but then again... I have been told my 'personal' catch phrase is "Im in my own little world, but it's OK, they know me here"....ROFLMAO! I can recall many a client who stressed me out when I was younger... Now?... 30+ yrs later... (and being a trained counselor) I actually get a kick out of some of 'these' clients (yea I said it) As my best friend says (not an exact quote but you may get the gist of it)Im a combination of "Gandhi & Godzilla" "you seem way to much to enjoy playing with their minds"... Ive had many a client who comes in ...

1. requesting something that is (IMHO) going to be too stressful for the dog, I first off begin my 'talk' with them by asking if they would like it done to them, then I progress to a (very very lengthy, detailed description.. almost to the point of making them crazy listening to me) but I always end with the same thing.. I care more about dogs than people. I smile, let them know I truly care about their pet and then let them decide if they want to go elsewhere.

2. try telling me how 'so & so' can do this.. to which I reply (with a BIG smile none the less & syrupy sweet voice) Im so happy for you that you know of someone who can do that!.. I think may be you should call them then.. I wont do it! (I dont budge a bit on this either)

3. the client who always complains... I just raise the price... over & over & over... I figure if the dog is nice (that is really my client) it is not the dogs fault.. but if the owner is a PITA... and they demand I keep putting up with their 'issues' I just figure... as a counselor I make X amount an hour.. break it down.. so to listen to their ramblings.... it comes out to X amount to listen to them. Eventually they either stop their complaints or go elsewhere. Seriously... some folks are like the 'big brother' and they go through their lives looking to get 'reactions' from people.. they most likely do this in every restaurant, store, salon etc... I wont give them the satisfaction. I have a big brother who trained me well in our childhood LOL!

my favorite part of this all is when I get a real PITA owner... I really enjoy.. (and I do mean really enjoy) engaging them in lengthy conversations using the old phrase "you can catch more bees with honey than you can with vinegar" but as my grandmother used to say.. "IF you are the queen bee... you can also decide if you just want to listen to their 'issues' or just put them in the cell and cover them with honey then seal it up".. ROFL

Yes,it can be mind games I know... and I should not admit to such a thing.. but for me at least... I love being the one who people cannot say I was rude, insensitive, mean... instead it is merely mind games with these folks and as a counselor I make X amount for a session... and I figure having my degree as a counselor, when I have to use it that too cost money!

[onions]

I LIKE your way of thinking, RPS!!!!