Pet Peeve: Request for a "Friend" Discount

The last week was quiet, but not in a bad way. I was able to get some things done for myself and at my house. I am doing chair massage at a health fair this coming week, so I have been doing prep work for promotional materials and just making sure I have everything I need to hopefully bring myself some new clients.

Last week week something did happen that is one of my biggest pet peeves. During the week I post on my personal and professional Facebook pages about the specials I am running or incentives to get people to come in to see me. On my business page, a friend of a friend responded to my post in the most irritating way. It was along the lines of this: “Hey! I really want a new haircut and new highlights! Can you hook me up? Our common friend would tell you to do so!”

First of all, I don’t do hair, and if this person had ever come in to see me before as a client, or had even bothered to talk to me about my business, she would know that. Oh, and the second part really pissed me off. “Can you hook me up?” Really?! I am running a business -- this is my livelihood! No, I will not "hook you up"! I do offer a friends and family discount to a very select few people, but I don’t advertise that I do that. Our mutual friend noticed the post and made a point of telling me that they would never tell me to hook someone up with a discount. This friend understands that this is what I do to make money to support myself; it’s not like it's some hobby I do on the weekend for amusement.

This doesn’t happen very often, but nevertheless it always bugs me when it comes up. My brother also owns his own business, and I have never once asked him to comp someone’s lunch for me, or even my own lunch when I go to his restaurant! It's just plain rude. I understand that in these hard economic times a lot of people need to save some money. That's why I run deals all the time, for new clients and my regulars. I did politely refer this person to a hairstylist and I have been praying since that she doesn’t ever call me again for a "hook up" because I know I won’t be able to help her.

—Karyn, Body Skin and Nails by Karyn, Roseville, Calif.