Hello All:

If anyone has any suggestions, it would really help!

I am a hairstylist, who gets very frustrated  with my cheap clients!! I know they love me, and love my work. Because they have been with me a long time. It's very odd, because, the ones that are the cheapest are the ones who followed me to the salon I am at now. I was at another salon, owned by family member.

Here's the deal...It doesn't matter what their bill comes to, they always tip me the same $5.00 tip!!! Yes, I wrote that correctly...FIVE DOLLARS!!! 5 NEW JERSEY DOLLARS!!  Worst part, I have a mother daughter duo, and they do the same thing. Just this past weekend. Foils and haircuts. Mother's bill was $120.00 and the daughter's bill was $140.00 and they both tipped me the same five bucks.

And it's really wierd, because there really isn't any way to approach this subject. I don't have the guts to do stuff like: "oh this will get me far" etc...I'm not like that.

So, if anyone can help....please do!

Doozie

Well, asking my boss for a raise is out of the question.  In this field, it doesn't happen.  I work strictly on commission. Which is only 50%. And, that WILL NEVER GO UP. The only time we get a raise, is when the prices go up for the client.  And then, "cheapy clients" STILL will tip the cheap tip they always have been!!! I live off my tips. I buy my gas, grocerys, pet supplies, etc.  My pay check goes right into the bank to pay for my house bills.  And being a single working woman it is difficult.

I was just hoping there was some common and kind way of letting the client know.  Posting a sign is tacky.  A friend of mine suggested this:  Make some new business cards.  And, on the back, put a little note about tipping.  And, give them to these clients.  He feels they are ignorant and not knowing of tipping etiquette.  

Hey Phil,

By the way, there are just some jobs you don't have to tip the person.  Hmm, must be different in the United Kingdom.

Let's see, we tip: Pizza delivery/hairstylists/

bartenders/waiters/mailman(at holidays)/ newspaper delivery person/ car parking for valet/ dog groomer/.........and the list will go on. I can't think of others at this moment.

Yeah, I thought posting any kind of note would be tacky no matter what. Thanks for saying so.

I just believe, that if one can afford to pay the prices at our salon, then they should be able to afford the tip, or go somewhere else. Plus, I know for a fact that one of them most certainly can afford it. I know they are very well off. I am sure if they went into a restaurant that was pricey, they would put out more.  As a matter of fact, listen to this.

One time when this one particular client came in, as I was doing her hair, I brought up conversation about something that had just happened to me the night before.  I had been to a restaurant, and the service was so bad, (after almost 2 hour wait for the food), that I declined tipping. That was a first for me. I was extremely angry with the service. Well, I told the client about this, bringing up the fact that I 'always' tip 15-20%. She whole heartidly (spelling?) agreeded with me. Telling me that she always leaves the same, and her daughter too, being that she used to work as a waitress! And, alas, still the wonderful 5 dollars.

Oh well.

Yes, I am looking for another salon in the area where I live. It would be a whole lot closer. But, I will have to do it slowly. Meaning, find a salon where I can work p/t 2 days a week building a new clientele. And, little by little pull out of the place I am at now. Because all my clients are 30 minutes north of where I work. So, they will not follow. Have to start over.

Thanks Dave.

Hmmm, It's up to the individual what they tip and if you try to push it people will go elsewhere as you will appear forward and greedy. There are as another poster said, a lot of people in low paid jobs with no chance of tips so you should be grateful that you get anything at all above your agreed salary or percentage. I'm sorry to be so blunt but You chose the salon/ job you are in so I'm afraid you will either have to :

put up and shut up

find a new salon to work in with a better percentage or other payment sheme

work more hours as you say you only do 2 days a week

find a new career with a better wage

I'm afraid any that's just the way it is for lots of people besides you, If you try to draw clients attention to the way you feel, they will be offended and you will lose out even more. Maybe not the answer you were looking for but I hope it helps you to get a little perspective on your situation.

Hey, I appreciate all answers. Ya miss read what I wrote. I don't work 2 days a week. Go back and read again.  I am planning on looking for a p/t job at a salon nearer to where I work. I currently work 5 days.  But, am willing to cut down one day, and work that day plus another making it 6 days a week!!  I am tired of traveling to the area I currently work.

Well, yeh, I guess there really isn't any way to let people know what the etiquette for tipping is, with out it being tacky.  Guess I'll just have to suck it up.

In this business, in my state, seems it works the same (pay wise) almost everywhere you go.

Kelly: Well, I am sure you can talk to your stylist about altering the shade next time.  But overall, you like her and are basically happy with her.  Just like when a bartender makes a drink, it may not taste exactly the same as the one before.  Bad comparision...but, what I am trying to say is, work with her. If you go to her regularly, she will kindly help by fixing it.  I always do.  Communication is the key.

HairDoozie wrote: Kelly: Well, I am sure you can talk to your stylist about altering the shade next time.  But overall, you like her and are basically happy with her.  Just like when a bartender makes a drink, it may not taste exactly the same as the one before.  Bad comparision...but, what I am trying to say is, work with her. If you go to her regularly, she will kindly help by fixing it.  I always do.  Communication is the key.

Absolutely! I'll go back. I like her! I'd never been to her before and she heard all I'd done to my hair and made an educated guess......it looked good, but not for me. You can read about it here: http://www.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36538&PN=1 - http://www.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36538& amp;PN=1

Well Kelly,

One thing you need to understand.  This was your first time to her.  You had to tell her your hair history.  I am sure, that there were a lot of things done to your hair?  If so, was this a color correction?  I didn't read your original post.  I will after this. So, if she was trying to correct your color, here's what most don't realize.  It may take more than one time to get it to where you desire it.  Sometimes it doesn't always happen in one visit.  Especially, if all the time consulting was used up, and now she has only limited time.  Right.

You can always go lighter with the color!!

Business owner is not for me.  I know that for sure.  Thanks

I don't know what to tell you. Tipping in your industry is a significant part of your income.

I always tip my stylist about 20%. If you can tip a waiter that much, then why not your stylist? I wear my hair everyday, so I'll tip well for good service!!

Exactly!! Thanks Sun...just wish I could relay that to those specific clients.  Oh well.

Thanks for being a great client.

Clients tips are supposed to be based on good service.  Are you doing everything you should be?  Failing that, there is nothing you can say or do to get your clients to tip more.  Any attempt to do so will blow up in your face. Don't even bring it up...  It's more appropriate for the salon owner to post a sign in a common area of the salon regarding tipping.  Don't post anything at your station.

If your book is full and you want to make more money without working yourself into an early grave, raise your rates.  Speak to the salon owner about a commission change based on higher rates.  If he/she is unwilling to make changes, it may be time to look for a new salon who will.  When/if you change salons, send postcards only to your best clients and leave the cheapskates behind.

In the UK it's different, I think, because our hairdressers get paid enough that tips aren't essential to live off. Correct me if I'm wrong here by the way!

I moved from England to Scotland and I think the tipping culture is different between the two because I tip what I always have (10% for average service, more for great, and rounded up if it's an awkward number) and people here are like "wow, thanks!", lol. It doesn't mean I'm going to start tipping less though

The funny thing is, last time I tipped under 10%, which I don't like to do, but the cut was more than I usually spend, and my stylist seemed genuinely pleased - poor guy must usually get rubbish tips

But normally I think that if I can't afford an appropriate tip then I won't go at all. I'd hate to look mean!

Dear Always,

Believe me, stylists always expect a tip.  But $4.00 on a $26.00 haircut is good.  $5.00 would be 20%...so you are good.  15%-20% is the average tip today for servers, hairstylists and the like.  So don't feel bad. Ya did good.

And at restaurants if they have a certain amount of people at a table, the menu even states that a gratuity of 18% is automatically added!

By the way, if anyone ever has a difficult time figuring out the 15% and 20%....here is an easy way to figure a tip.

Let's say the bill is: $87.00      Move the "." over one space to the left.  $8.70 (dropping the last 0).  That is 10% of $87.00.  Moving the "." over one space to the left is ALWAYS 10% of that amount!  So, if you wanted to make it 15%, all you would have to do is add half of $8.70 (that would be $4.35) to  $8.70...making 15% of $87.00 =  $13.05.  Of course you would drop the 5 cents.  And to make it 20% just double the $8.70.  That would be $17.40.

Hope that helps all you folks out there who are afraid to say you couldn't figure out percentages! It's a really easy way to do. Especially if you are out at a restaurant and you don't want to whip out pen/paper/ or calculator!

The average income for a hairstylist is pathetic! It's poverty level for your average american. As a hairstylist I can tell you that they are underpaid.

Hairstyling is a craft and when you become good within your craft you are worth far more than you are ever paid. It's really under appreciated at how much effort a hairstylist puts into a service to provide that professional salon style that everyone wants to walk out of the salon looking like. Yep we are underpaid BIG TIME there is no ifs, ands or buts about it. To compare it to being waitress is an insult and tipping 15-20% is an insult. First off in restaurants your being served food that is far more expensive than a haircut. A $50 food bill for 2 people and your tipping $7-$10 to a waitress....basically someone who just brings you food. Your hairstylist provides you with the look, the confidence and the beauty to be who you are....tipping them $3-4 on a $20 haircut IMHO is an insult. Reach in your pocket and throw them double that if you like their work and they did a great job.....I know I personally do everything I can for that client sitting in my chair to make them look and feel the best they can be. Think about it next time your getting your haircut because they hairstylists and hairstyling are under appreciated in this business. We are not just people bringing your food tossed up onto a counter by a short order cook.

Think about it next time before you tip your stylist. 25-30% is more like it if you are happy with your stylist.

Cheers! 

Usually the person who shampoos your hair is an assistant to the stylists and typically they are paid a small portion by every stylist who they assist by shampooing their clients and getting them draped and ready for the service by the stylist. Colorists & hairstylists tip them 20-25% for a service.

Some stylists who have built up a large clientel can make over $100k per year but that is a very small percentage of people who persevere years in the business. The average stylist makes $20k per year.