Business

How do you announce service price increases?

May 1, 1999

I posted a typed note stating that my new prices were effective immediately. Then I offered a three-month grace period for my existing clients. For the first time in 12 years, no one complained.

Lisa Ross

Salon Panache (Ventura, Calif.)

I’ve been doing nails for 11 years and have kept a lot of my first-time customers. They know that I don’t often have price increases and that product prices don’t remain the same, so when I do have an increase, I simply tell them and post a notice of the new prices. Clients fully understand. And they’ve continued to come back.

Kathleen Collado

Nails by Kathy (New Rochelle, N.Y.)

In the salon, we post price increases a month ahead of time on our workstations and at the front desk. As clients come in, we tell them that there will be an increase and that we are lucky our supplies haven’t increased more than they did. This makes clients feel that they have received a bargain

Shar Stewart

Merle Norman (Exton, Pa.

When I announce a price increase to my clients, I send them a letter informing them of the increase and give them a discount on their next two disappointments.

Annette Sather

Just Nails (Madison, Wis.)

After 11 years and three price changes, we have found that posting a sign two months ahead of time works best, and the best time to post these increases is the first of the year.

Paul Parrott and Gayla Rottgering

The Beauty Shop (Paducah, Ky.)

We place notices in nice frames stating new promotions and price increases, and then place them around the salon. We do this several weeks in advance so that our clients can prepare.

Kellie McCarron

Ultimate Image (Jeffersonville, Pa.)

Since many clients write their checks in advance, we try to alert them one-month ahead of time. We have our notices professionally done and place them at each workstation. Also, when we increase our prices we try to make it a positive experience by adding new products to our existing lines.

Carole Fortin

The Nail Gallery (Portland, Maine)

I like to post a letter on my manicuring table or on my retail shelf stating the price increase at least a month ahead, so that clients have time to adjust.

Kimberly Newell

Hair By An Angel (Mendham, N.J.)

Topics:raising prices client communication service pricing

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