Grooming your "friends" dog....

[CountryCanines]

Ugh I just have to vent about yesterday!!! I agreed to do hubbys co-workers German Wirehair Pointer.... I tell them to drop him off here at the shop between 8am-10am, and I will have my bather do him, as I am booked for the day already. So by 10:30- no GWP.... I tell my bather maybe they have forgotten or something, who knows. At 2:00 pm, in walks them w/ their dog...my jaw just hit the floor! How rude! I was busy grooming a Cocker...

I shouldve said no, but my bather loves the breed and really wanted to work on him, so we took him in. ONLY cuz my bather happened to still be there, otherwise I wouldve said no way. At 4:00 I get him on my table, going to finish him real quick for them. He's a great dog so I am in a better mood at this point, the day is almost over. Well how quickly a "quick bath" turns into a "can u just trim this & that". I told Hubby when I got home and he just couldnt believe it. I was so irritated!

I just can't stand when people think that since they know you personally, they can do what they want. I told them next time he NEEDED to be there in the a.m or I wouldnt take him.

[pugnacious]

Honestly, they probably are that way whether you know them or NOT! I am frequently shocked at people's disrespect for an appointment time! People who come on time and pick-up on time need to be greatly appreciated.

[Kim in SD]

Put a sign up

Put a HUGE new policy sign up in a place where everyone can see it.
Friends and family policy:
There will be an extra charge for friends and family!

[Jadenlea]

It really is shocking the lack of respect that comes with getting to appts on time in the grooming world. Even the nicest customers sometimes do it. It is very strange. I mean theyd never show up 3 or 4 hrs late for an appt for their hair or with a dr. Oh well.

[Briarpatch]

Seems like "friends" always have the worst behaved dogs. I do a couple of poo mixes that belong to my hubby's co-worker...and I dread their appointments. I don't give them a break on the price, but I do keep doing them. Just keep hoping they find a groomer closer to where they live.

[Helly]

It really is shocking the lack of respect that comes with getting to appts on time in the grooming world. Even the nicest customers sometimes do it. It is very strange. I mean theyd never show up 3 or 4 hrs late for an appt for their hair or with a dr. Oh well.

And the reason they do this is....anyone? anyone?

Because we let them! We all know what would happen if we were even an hour late for a hair or doctor's appointment. Sorry about your luck. Even if we have a good excuse; No can do.

If we'd politely explain "I'm so sorry, but the time I scheduled to do Fluffenbutt has passed. Now it's Phydough's appointment time, and he's here on schedule. After that, it's Spot's turn, then Killer. And then it's closing time. So you see, it's just not possible for me to groom Fluff today. I'm sure you understand. I can fit you in next Tuesday at 10, if you'd care to reschedule." If they ask you to stay after closing to fit Fluff in, say "Certainly. I'd be happy to. However, there's an additional $50 overtime charge on top of his regular grooming fee. Will that work for you?" Unless, of course, you have prior commitments that won't allow you to stay late, in which case "Sorry about your luck."

[Angie]

Well said Helly!

[diamienono]

Hey, I have friends that expect me to do their dog for free and drive to them, use my gene etc. I told them I don't give discounts. I said sorry, I even charge my brother (which I don't). I said, I have a trailer and equipment to pay for. I have not heard from them since. That was the week before Halloween.

[Shell]

My youngest brother's friends are the worst for that kind of stuff. One of them showed up two hours late for his appt and had already instructed an aunt with a pick up time, so she showed up while I was bathing the dog. She didn't want me to dry her or anything. Took her with her soaking wet. They have been really good since then and show up and pick up on time, which is a really nice change. They just needed some practice.
Then his other friend showed up 1/2 an hour late and it took two hours after I called her to pick up their dog. My brother asked how they and the dog were and I told him and he must have said something to them because I haven't heard from them since, which is really fine by me.

My husband's work friends like to call last minute to bring the dog over right now. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can't and they work with me.

[misscatahoula]

I used to groom my best friend's Lhasa when I lived close by. I never charged her and loved grooming him. She was always really appreciative and considerate of my schedule. The only condition I placed on grooming him was that she not stay for groom because he'd never calm down if she was in the same room!

[Mary1980]

Kim thats so cute.....Extra Charge for Family and friends.....I love that.

[pugnacious]

Life rule # 1:

Never ask someone to do for FREE what they do for a living!

[astrordog]

Been in the biz 30 yrs. GET USED TO IT I work in a vet clinic. the clients are DR. customers first. And as to him being a friend, my motto is, "If you can't abuse a friend, who can you abuse". Charge him extra next time. Do it , don't hesitate.

astrordog

[pamperedpups]

Wow!! You all have some really "great friends." I do a lot of grooms for friends and aquaintences and they never disrepect me like that. For others who try, I do have a policy that dogs showing up more than 15 mins. late for their appointment "may" have to be rescheduled and another for those who want to be fit-in after hours (if they must) to the tune of an additional EMERGENCY groom fee.

[diamienono]

My brother got mad at me. I did his dog right before xmas and then got out the blow pens. hehe. She had painted toes and a wreath and red and green braceletts. I said, shut up. You got for free what I could have gotten $xx amount of dollars to do.