Pricing

[Guest]

My salon is upscale, clean and stylish. I have recently benn shocked to Hell and back when I found out that we were the cheapest salon around. I don't want this, my groomers are awesome, certified and award winning and we have a NCMG. I raise my prices every year (just did $2). What is the best way to get my prices up? Is it too confusing to raise them where I want them for all NEW clients and then gradually bring up the rest?

[PAWS]

I think a lot of people raise it for the newbies and gradually the rest. That is what I do. I raise them when I decided it is time, then, after the new year, send out letters to my existing clients. I am not in a shop I am mobile, btw.

[misscatahoula]

That's what I had to do. When I first opened shop I discovered some of my prices were well below the others. I charge for my time and thought my prices were fair and not low at the time, but after awhile did feel I wasn't charging enough for some. So I started a price increase with the new clients.

[hairdevil]

pricing

I raise my prices by 5 a year...and Im still not the most expensive..gosh, you have a well qualified staff...and you should be up there or above the others...get'em up there...don't be afraid to..you're worth it!

[PoodlePal]

Definitely raise the prices you charge your new customers. Your existing customers should be increased within the next year. I would increase as much as 5-8 beans for your existing customers.

[Gracy Rose]

Pricing

Thanks for the input:-)

[ejmj30]

I'm in the process of raising my prices. I am going to do like you said, pick a date and from then on new customers are a certain price, and old customers will go up a couple dollars, or a percentage each groom til they get to the new price. I think it's a nice way of integrating them instead of just throwing an extra $5-10 on their bill. Some of my prices are changing that much I was so low.

[hairdevil]

gracy

Being that you are upscale, do you also have extra charges for add-ons? theres a big discussion about it on another thread, but I was just curious how you do it. one price and extras included, or lower price and have the add-ons and let the customers decide? I think either way is fine, long as you're in the money lol

[Presadog]

It never ceases to amaze me the reaction I get when prices get raised. Had one woman become indignant when we raised the price of her ALWAYS matted and she's never charged for it dog. Her comment to the manager was 'I've been coming here for years and I've never paid more than X amount. I finally had to interupt her tirade and say.. 'listen to what you just said.... you've been coming here for years and the price has never changed... try that line at Walmart next time you buy milk, okay? The price of EVERYTHING goes up ma'am.. or do you think dog groomers should just get poorer every year?' She not only quit complaining, she paid, tipped me, walked out, then came back and doubled the tip! I just get so annoyed with people thinking this is just a hobby for all of us and that we should just love spending all day patting lil puppies on the head for free. Every other business gets to raise prices and nobody bats an eye...I've never understood why we get so much flack for it. Considering what we go through, I don't think ANY of us are paid enough!

[Helly]

Great response, Presa. But I'd change "Walmart" to the gas station.

I've never quite been able to understand the attitude some members of the public have about grooming. They complain when you raise prices, they play "Let's make a deal". I guess they don't think that our costs go up every year. Sometimes every month.

In our personal lives, we have to pay the same prices they do for a gallon of gas, our utility bills, our food and clothing. And those prices increase all the time. If we don't raise our prices, we'll be walking to work, using candles for light, eating beans out of a can for every meal and getting all our clothes from the Salvation Army.

[sheilabgroomer]

Amen Presadog...lol... You said it right. I do get so very aggrivated when people throw a hissy fit over a 2 or 3 dollar price increase. Have you ever noticed the ones who stomp their feet the loudest are usually the ones driving the high-end vehicles and wearing the designer clothes? I am going up this year, but I am going to wait till either the end of March or the beginning of April. I will post a notice in the lobby a month in advance and anyone who doesn't like it can go and find a dollar mart groomer...good luck...lol

[Gracy Rose]

Pricing

I totally agree about the thought of customers. I had a client who would ALWAYS bring 1 check already written in with her pre-determined amount , notice how I didn't say our amount. Finally, this last time she brought Jackie in, I gave her a "pre-printed" receipt with the amount. I explained "this is the cost with the difference you didn't pay last time, if it is not okay you may need to find some place else".

[petstylist]

Amen sisters! And I personnally hate exercise, am already half blind from trying to scissor everything, cant stand beans, and refuse to shop at Goodwill!
Im not rich, never have been and most likely never will be but I think we should make a fair living!
Tammy

[Mary1980]

Amen #2....Presadog I applaud you for what you said to that woman. That took some (well you know). You said it better then I could ever think. Im gonna use that one.

[rapuzzled]

I totally agree about the thought of customers. I had a client who would ALWAYS bring 1 check already written in with her pre-determined amount , notice how I didn't say our amount. Finally, this last time she brought Jackie in, I gave her a "pre-printed" receipt with the amount. I explained "this is the cost with the difference you didn't pay last time, if it is not okay you may need to find some place else".

I have a man that always brings in the amount that it has been for years and years...we just never raised it, next time though my boss said it's gonna be raised. He's like 15 dollars under what he should be! I just get so aggravated at those people. I can't tell you how many people I have that write checks and they always write it for the same amount...it's so aggravating!