Hair Salon Discounts: Do They Really Get You New Loyal Clients or Just Some One-Timers?

MARIETTA, Ga. - Aug. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- What’s the problem with offering a discount here and there?  They can satisfy an unhappy customer, turn a reluctant client into a buyer, and even get some folks through the door, but taking a little off the top can be dangerous.  Without careful monitoring, a few small discounts can quickly turn into a massive headache, landing your business in a hole that can be hard to escape.  Frequent price cutting trains your clients that they shouldn’t pay full price for your services, can tarnish the overall image of your salon, and even mask deep rooted staff training or customer service issues.

The best way to ensure your salon isn’t falling into the discount hole is to frequently monitor your stats.  The Shortcuts interview gives you an instant snapshot of what percentage of transactions was discounted and how much revenue was subsequently lost.  Comparing these numbers to the industry average, you get immediate feedback on whether or not your salon is too discount-friendly.  What may have seemed like just a discount here and there may have been happening more than you thought.

If you find your salon is price cutting too often, take these steps to curb your discounting:

·         Meet with your staff to ensure everyone is on the same page about appropriate discounts.

·         Come up with an approval process.

·         Brainstorm other solutions to satisfy unhappy customers such as small gifts or even trial services and products.

·         Reduce the number of complaints or add value to the salon experience by increasing your customer service efforts.