I have a "regular" client who often does not show up for her appointment. I like her alot but feel that she does not respect my time. When she calls in to reschedule she'll give me some lame excuse that I actually believe her, e.g. "I slept in", "I forgot", "Oh, sorrrrryyyyyy". If she at least made up a great story like: My dog had diarrhea and it took me all day to clean it up. (yes, I've actually got that one and found out later they didn't even own a fricken dog!) That would make me feel better because she's feeling guilty enough to drum up some stupid story.
When she does come in she then gives me a BIG fat tip to make up for the lost appointment. Because she has "paid" for the missed appointment she feels that all is good with the Sharon. Except not all is good with the Sharon. I'm pissed. Actually, I feel cheap. Cheap that I except her money as an apology. But hey, it's ALOT of money. It's hard to turn down a red bill. (I'm qualifying being "paid off").
How should I handle this? She comes in weekly for a blow dry and I'm not sure how to approach this. So I'm asking my readers, some of whom are actual clients for some input. Post what you think in the the comments as I don't know how to set up a forum yet. If anyone knows how to do that , could you let me know.
4 comments:
Take her money
why would you feel cheap ? as a friend sometimes we hear a comment that has fiction more that truth but we accept it because sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction !!!!!! { accept that she has deeper problems than you can see on the surface }
Hmmm, well it seems this is a case of respect more than anything else. She doesn't respect you if she is constantly blowing you off. So the question is, can you survive without her as a client? If this is not a problem, then you should definitely tell her not to come by anymore if she can't keep her appointments, or tell her you will charge double or triple your rate to make up for loss services. This is something that obviously bothers you, so you should address it one way or another. You're too good of a hairstylist to have to worry about this.
Thanks for the advice everyone. Perhaps I will advise her to pay for missed appointments or she will lose her "booking" privileges as well as her stylist.
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