What Would You Do: Should I Adjust My Prices Before Reopening?
Advice For How To Charge Services Accordingly Post-Quarantine
Between some states allowing hair salons to open back up and clients rocking months of regrowth, there’s one big question on a lot of stylists mind: Should I adjust my prices before reopening? So we reached out to the BTC Community to find out how other stylists plan to alter their pricing—if at all. Keep reading to see what they shared!
“…The problem is, I have many clients who have already missed two appointments that they would have normally been scheduled for. So when I am going to see them hopefully at the end of May or beginning of June, they will now have three times the amount of new growth than they should have had if I would have seen them in March and April. Taking that into consideration, a stylist will be using much more product and the appointment time will be longer…How is everyone else around the world going to handle reassessing the prices when we start taking clients again?”
Stick To Your Regular Pricing
“I will be charging exactly the same as before. However, my clients and I will come up with a plan of action, possibly breaking appointments into two to help with budget and expectations.” – @thesalteblond
“I’m charging the same! I do plan on giving a discount to my clients who are on the front lines—nurses, medical workers, EMTs—to show my appreciation for them.” – @noellesandrastylist
“…I’m a booth renter with my own prices. I think due to the special circumstances and that everyone is in the same boat, I will charge their normal price. For as long as they’ve had to wait, it’s almost a thank you for not touching your own hair and actually waiting for me. On the other hand, I know I will be going through more product than usual but I decided after a couple months, I will raise my prices all around. I understand that some or most of my clients were unemployed too, and I feel like we are ALL in this together. I don’t feel like I should take it out on them because it was in no way their fault for not coming in.” – Ashley Borgen
“It’s not like the clients just didn’t want to come to us. They couldn’t. I would feel horrible charging extra for something out of our hands. Now, I will charge for corrective color if they have been box coloring.” – @jacksons_momma
“I will NOT be charging extra. It’s not their fault they ‘missed’ appointments and it’s not our fault we had to go on furlough. That being said, just going back to work and having clients call to make appointments will be so thrilling. We can’t beat them over the head with extra charges.” – @christinaruby69
“In my opinion, this has been a financial hardship for everyone. We are going to be so busy when we go back, I don’t think we will be worrying about finances. I think we charge them regular price to show some kindness and thank them for their loyalty.” – Molly Mundell
“I would absolutely charge your normal price for whatever services are needed to get the hair back to normal. I would just explain ahead of time if you need to charge extra for the product. Maybe to help cushion the blow you can provide a complimentary hand massage or longer scalp rub than you normally do. There are little tricks like that you can offer that don’t cost extra money or take extra time that can still help your client to feel like they are getting treated extra special despite an upcharge for extra product.” – @coloristnat
Charge More Based On Time & Extra Product Used
“We will be charging accordingly for the extra product needed for these appointments…Stylists, you must charge for the extra product! Our businesses need to catch up just like their hair does! Your clients will understand. Let them know their pricing will return to normal after everything has been corrected and caught up with their hair.” – @hairbyamberjoy
“If I am using more than the one bowl of product, then each additional bowl is $11. I understand it isn’t their fault but product costs money, and we shouldn’t be taking that cost in ourselves because of all of this either.” – Hannah Muller
“Explain to your guests that because their amount of new growth is more than normal (although not their fault), you will have to do a full foil instead of a partial and the service is going to cost $X. Thank them for returning to you and offer a free deep conditioner or a $5 off coupon for their next service.” – @ka_tl_in
“Every person who has been bad mouthing me for wanting to go back to work is getting charged extra. Kidding! Gotta charge based on time and product usage. If it takes two bowls of color, then charge for two. Don’t short change yourself because you ‘feel bad.’ You gotta pay those bills, too!” – @jenn_iffercolors
“I would say charge them for the product and time used. A three-inch outgrowth is more work than a one-inch outgrowth. But I wouldn’t charge more for highlights because most of my highlights book out two to three months anyway. Also, consider that the clients who are able will most likely tip more, and clients who have been out of work will appreciate being able to afford what they’re used to.” – Sparrow Styling
“Always charge based on product usage. I know it’s not the clients fault for not being able to come in but that doesn’t change the fact that more product is still being used. And you don’t want to come out of the gate undercharging people.” – @shyannelee319
“We charge based on what we use—an extra $10 per tube of color or an extra amount for additional scoops of lightener. I would give the clients a heads up that the price will be higher since we are required to use more product.” – @megharper90
Reevaluate Your Prices Altogether
“I am going with a whole new system. I’ve been wanting to make a change anyways and now is the perfect time…I’m going to charge hourly across the board with $5 less per hour for non-chemical services. I always aim for a certain hourly rate anyways so why not just charge what I want to make? It’s simple, consistent and easy for clients to understand. I’ve done a lot of research and this is definitely the direction a lot of stylists are going! Good luck to you!” – @jcooper913
“I’m raising significantly. First, our expenses this year have risen by a six-week closure. Second, we have to allot more time and product for initial services (that charge could diminish). Third, we are going to have to space apart appointments for cleaning and social distancing. Fourth, I may have to provide masks, hand sanitizer and bottled beverages that I haven’t in the past…The cost of business just skyrocketed and it’s not coming out of my drained pocketbook. If I would have gotten state or federal help, it would be different.” – Terri Hunter Schumacher
“I think all color services should have a ‘starting at’ price to allow for unforeseen circumstances anyway. This is the perfect time for this to be applied. The juggling of appointment times is going to be tricky. And with all the new regulations coming our way, most of us will not be servicing the same volume as were prior to this, which hits the wallet hard…” -@radicaljason
“Now is the time to adjust your business how you want it…No better time to make a change—even with a price increase—and run it how you want it. Don’t apologize for an increase. Never apologize. It’ll weed out and make room for people who will appreciate you and the service you provide. It sucks we are all in this position but you’re going to have two, if not three, times the amount of work. I think you could show them appreciation with maybe a small gift bag with some product samples in it and cute hairties or something like that…” – @hair_bykate
Whichever Option You Choose, Remember To Let Clients Know
“I think that before the doors even open you should send out an email or let them know as you reschedule them that due to the amount of time that has passed and the amount of product/time they will be consuming, it won’t be their typical price. Explain everything in detail as to WHY—even bust out some science if you have to. You are the professional at the end of the day and honestly, most people won’t mind. They just want their hair done…” – @cryistalchaos
See what others had to say on Instagram and Facebook!
11 Genius Salon Pricing Tips—TAP HERE!
