How To Deal With A Client Who Keeps Asking For A Discount

In any business, there has often been a need to know how to deal with a

 client who keeps asking for discounts.  Businesses offer discounts for repeat clients or to increase traffic.   But, there are limits to everything if you want your business to survive!

As a new hairstylist, I would offer discounts for a limited time.  When you are new to the game,

you want to be busy.  After that period of time, you would keep prices at a level but there would always be that person who would expect a discount every appointment.  The discount would also be expected with additional services.  After some time, I realized that I had to “put my foot down” as they say.  I could not run a viable business if I was not able to pay the bills.

If you are having trouble figuring how to deal with a client who keeps asking for discounts, you

have to know the following:

• The problem is you.
• You have to be confident in your work and yourself.  Take extra classes to improve.
• Learn how to say “no” diplomatically.  If this is not enough, then you have to say why the price is what it is:  products and operating costs have gone up.  
• In the beginning I would chicken out sometimes for these people that argue with you for 30 minutes over a payment – until I got my first $45 NSF notification on my bank statement.   I learned quickly to say that maybe we were not a great fit, price wise. 
• Be careful of those that offer to come regularly if there is a discount or they will come to you every three weeks. They hardly follow through once they get you the first time.  
• The ones who demand to have a discount because they will be coming regularly, are often the most stressful.  They will squeeze every ounce of energy because they are paying you money with no acknowledgement of the work you do.

• I am wary of people who ask what I charge for a particular service with a promise to come “if they get a good price”.  They only want to pay the least amount for the most expensive services.
• If the client is overly friendly, you can be sure there will be a problem when it comes time to pay.  Do the best job so there can be no complaints.
• If you are a sucker for sob stories, you are not going to have an easy time in this business because some of the scammers you meet will surprise you.
• This level of confidence comes with time and you should try never to take offense.  I have spoken with business owners from different business and different countries.  The consensus was the same:  there will be someone who will try your confidence level.

If this does not help you figure out how to deal with a client who keeps asking for discounts, you have to take leadership classes to build your self esteem.  Until you develop self confidence, this behaviour will continue.

 By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.