Bow fell off -- owner furious!!!

[gitl]

Just letting off steam --
I couldn't believe that I received a phone call after leaving an owner's home and he was furious because a topknot bow came off his maltese and he had to replace it. He said, "Since I pay you $$, I expect you to leave my dog in a better condition. When I replaced the bow, she (the dog) was a mess!" Then he hung up. Ohhhhhhhh, I was furious. Unfortunately, I waited until the next day to call him and tell him to find another groomer. I told him that no one speaks to me like that and he doesn't even pay what my other clients pay me (as he thinks he's paying too much in the first place). He then apologized and said I shouldn't be so sensitive and please don't make him find another groomer. Oh.........I'm such a wimp. I agreed to go back. Ugh!

[SpikeyTheYorkie]

You could also add this story to his attitude:

I worked at a place where the dog came back to the vet (where we worked) and had to have stitches because the skin was dead at the topknot---the bow had been put in so tight that the skin was wrapped in the band as well, and died. They had left the bow in for 2 weeks, however, and my boss thought that wasn't very smart, either.

Tammy in Utah

[Fur Elite]

What a jerk. He would have had to some major groveling for me to take him back after that. And I don't think saying something like "you shouldn't be so sensitive" would be the right thing to say to me. I would be tempted to call him back and tell him after thinking further about it, I have decided to stick with my initial decision to kick him to the curb. But, it is your business and you may need him as a client. Geez! That angers me just reading your post!!!

[Doggystyles]

Wait, you shouldn't be sensitive about him calling you and yelling at you...but it's ok for him to be so sensitive about a bow falling out? One of my clients was 1/2 hour late for his appt and brought the dog in matted and when I told him, nicely, that I was a little upset by that he said "Don't be trippin" I did the dog but the next time he called I told him I wouldn't do it. When he got upset I told him "Don't be trippin" Lol.

[Pawshpooch]

Wait, you shouldn't be sensitive about him calling you and yelling at you...but it's ok for him to be so sensitive about a bow falling out? One of my clients was 1/2 hour late for his appt and brought the dog in matted and when I told him, nicely, that I was a little upset by that he said "Don't be trippin" I did the dog but the next time he called I told him I wouldn't do it. When he got upset I told him "Don't be trippin" Lol.

Oh snappppp girlfriend!

[Pap lover]

Crazyness

Getting upset over a silly bow falling off. Geez you didnt even have to put a bow on the dog but u did. Bows are extra in some places. Doesnt make a groom bad because a bow fell off. Some people exagerate so much over the silliest of things.

[Helly]

Next time, offer to Super Glue the bow to the dogs head. Or better yet, solder it on.

Seriously, explain to the owner that he needs to take the top knot down every couple of days, massage the skin, and comb the hair out. Then replace it. They aren't intended to stay up for a month, lol.

[Pawshpooch]

there was a maltese that came in every week at the shop i worked at a month ago. every week all she was was a bath nails ears sanitary and trim feet. she got the two topknot bows on the top of her head like malteses do. she always looked awesome when finished. by the time she came in the next week she looked like all heck broke loose. topknots were falling out and bows half way down the topknot! ahaaha.. oh but she was a good dog.

[Pixie]

Did you at least up his price??? If he doesn't want to find another groomer maybe he is willing to pay the higher price.

[mommasita]

OMG

I dont know how busy your grooming business is but come on girl!! You took the jerk back?? Thats a punch in the gut you dont allow people to talk to you like that after you put your sweat and expertise into their dog. And to call because of a bow?? I would have had a few choice words for him the ungrateful bleep bleep.

[scrubapup]

Some people are just nuts. He threw a fit over a bow falling out? LOL!!! Dang.

I put bows in, but the bows are fairly loose and bound to fall out on their own in no time. I've seen the damage a tight bow did to the top of a yorkies head, and it wasn't pretty.

[winterroo]

No way. I would tell him the next time he calls for an appointment that he caught you in a weak moment and now you have had time to rehash the whole situation. Tell the a$$hole that you won't be grooming his dog anymore. People like that just aren't worth it! He will be a pain in your butt as long as he is a client!

[ejmj30]

I agree! If you DO decide to take him back justifying his behavior with momentary insanity, I'd charge him at least $10 MORE than you;re regular customers, because obviously he wants you to work harder to make his dog look good, so, you can charge him for that.

[gitl]

I might change my mind???

It's a long story why I'm going back to him. No, I don't need the business; I'm plenty booked. He books every 3 weeks and I've been doing his dog for about 3 years. He's really a very nice guy but I think his wife probably nagged him into calling me. Anyway, I did raise his price and, believe me, it's more than the groom is worth. So if he (or his wife) doesn't behave next time, it's goodbye Charlie.

[pugnacious]

I send this type of people packing! If anything truly bad ever happened to their dog while in your care, be it your fault or not, they would be horrible to deal with. I once refused to groom a man's dog again after he went totally haywire because I mixed up collars. I gave him a loaner collar & leash and said I would retrieve his collar and return it to him the next day. He yelled, screamed and cussed at me for 20 minutes. Irrational people do not make good customers!