tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861555359944928813.post3842063056770955651..comments2024-03-20T03:14:55.880-04:00Comments on Pet Grooming: The Good, The Bad, & The Furry: Tuesday's Tip #38 Quoting PricesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861555359944928813.post-25975033332625642662011-12-26T13:00:22.136-05:002011-12-26T13:00:22.136-05:00Hi Serena,
I am glad the weight pricing is working...Hi Serena,<br />I am glad the weight pricing is working for you. I always say 'do what works for you'.<br />I agree that customer service can be the hardest part of a business. I am lucky that I can usually make a grumpy customer walk out with a smile on their face. I also know when to keep my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. :) Can't tell you how many time I have fantasized about drive-thru grooming! lol<br />Have a Wonderful Holiday weekend!<br />Lisa,MFFMy Furry Friendshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03957566282521723511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861555359944928813.post-52487405148542565812011-12-26T12:46:04.785-05:002011-12-26T12:46:04.785-05:00Hi gipsiwriter,
I tried pricing by weight. I tried...Hi gipsiwriter,<br />I tried pricing by weight. I tried it with a already established clientele. Let's just say that the change did not go over well. Plus it didn't always work out with fair pricing. I had a St Poo come in that was very big and tall but very skinny, and its weight fell in the medium dog prices. No way was I going to charge a medium dog price for a St Poo. :) Weight pricing did not work for me.<br />Lisa, MFFMy Furry Friendshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03957566282521723511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861555359944928813.post-45687264948849741082011-12-24T20:49:05.583-05:002011-12-24T20:49:05.583-05:00Completely agree, 5 years ago when I got everythin...Completely agree, 5 years ago when I got everything together to open my own shop I created a special price list according to weight. Every other local groomer was still grooming by breed, some wouldn't even quote prices unless they were there checking in. You can't really quote by breed, between the customers with mixed or 'designer' breeds, the customers that guess (and trying to tell them that their pomeranian is not a long haired chihuahua, or that their shih-tzu is not a 'long haired pug'... it's hard to tell anyone something without offending them if they are hyper sensitive) some shih-tzu's hair or bodies are so extremely different, some are fully grown 6 lb and adorable, others are nearly 18 lbs with the thickest hair, still very sweet but just a big ol' slab of pup. Since we opened, many other groomers tried to open, most pretty much copied our prices exactly, which is why I never listen to some new customers that say we're higher in price... <br /><br />Weight is one of those things that customers cannot argue about if we weigh the pet in front of them, even if they are told the ranges on the phone and they are 'mistaken' and say their mixed puppy is 25lbs... then 2 weeks later they come in for their appt and it is a 50lb golden doodle mix... they still try to say "Well on the phone I was told the Med weight groom was X dollars!" We tell them, "It seems your pet may have changed since they were weighed last, your pet weighs 50lbs, and has much longer thicker hair than expected. These are the prices, do you still wish to have your pet groomed today?" Some customers are so understanding and sweet, some come in and immediately start bossing you, telling you that you're so much higher than the last place their pet was groomed. I always ask where that was, and ask, if I may, why they have chosen to not return. <br /><br />We do take a lot of foolishness from the more aggressive customers, we've found that talking with a smile and saying things like "I'm so sorry that you feel that way." makes them realize how they sound, others just do not get it and they are aggravated that we do not wish to fight with them and usually say "Yeah, you're sorry!" or "I'm sorry too!!" and hang up or storm out depending on the situation. <br /><br />Some customers are just wonderful, big tippers, bring us cookies and treats, or are just wonderful people... sometimes that like to tell you their life story or just talk your ear off in general. I do like those people, but often I realize that their pets are 'quirky' to be nice.<br />Not just bouncing in your face to kiss you, I love those. No, the ones that want to eat your comb, or gnaw off your wrist when you file their nails.<br />Then you have the extreme.<br />The customers that you wish would not say anything other than what they wanted, and let you know up front if they aren't going to be able to pick-up until right AT closing time...<br />Their pets for some reason, most of them, are super sweet, humble, and kind. Some of them you think twice on why they might act quite so 'beat down' in their attitude, or why they won't kiss you in the face. I've had a lot of customers look at me like I'm nuts, they stop me when I greet their pets and my face gets close to theirs. "Oh no. My pet is not allowed to kiss in the face, it's disgusting!" <br />Sometimes you just have to know when to smile and walk away. <br />We've joked on many occasions about opening dog grooming in the old closed Krystal Burger in town. Drive thru dogs :) yeah, that sounds perfect. It has flaws if you pick it apart, but it's a great thought to lighten the mood of your day if you've had a bad experience or two.<br />Deep breaths, happy thoughts, hot tea when you get home. Maybe read a good blog :)<br />Hope you have a great Christmas weekend!<br />~SerenaSerenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00025918401575603416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6861555359944928813.post-4082487141589676052011-12-21T05:55:54.793-05:002011-12-21T05:55:54.793-05:00This post was timely for me. I was just starting ...This post was timely for me. I was just starting to work on my pricelist for my shop last night. I think I may have decided to price based on weight of the dog... I think lol. I'm planning on putting a scale in the shop. And of course, a range of prices based on coat condition as you mentioned.gipsiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483397954826878405noreply@blogger.com