Business

What do I do about clients who never tip?

December 1, 1993

I do absolutely nothing. We are professionals and must conduct ourselves as such at all times — not just when we think there is a big tip involved. A client should never be made to feel uncomfortable about not tipping, and tips should never be discussed in front of clients. You should appreciate the fact that your client chose to spend her hard- earned money on your service.- Ronda Flynn, The Perfect Touch Nail Studio, New Haven, Ohio

If you are providing an extra service to your client that you feel entitles you to extra money, put a price on it. If the client will not pay for the added service, leave it out.-Laura Hunter, Celebrity Services, Blue Springs, Mo.

Something that helps increase our tips is having a jar on our stations that says “Tips.” Believe it or not, it works!-Wendy Dennis, Stacy Ferguson, Nail Biz

If a client doesn’t tip, I treat her with the same respect and give her the same high-quality service as I give a client who does tip. The cost of the service may be all that’s in her budget.-Danise Barone Von Seggen, The Original Hair Union, Garden Grove, Calif.

Never tell a client that you expect or want to be tipped. Tipping is a gratuity. It’s always appreciated, but it should never be expected. If a client tips us, we are sure; to say thank you; if she doesn’t, we thank her with just as much enthusiasm.-Joni Shackley, A Show of Hands, Savannah, Ga.

I have been in business for over eight years. I have clients who don’t tip and clients who tip only on occasion. I consider their return patronage a tip. A client who returns every two weeks is better than one who tips $5 and never comes back.-Sonya Honeycutt Slama, Honeycutt’s Hair and Nails, Long Beach, Calif.

Most of the customers don’t give me a tip because I’m the owner, so I charge clients for every service. If they want their nails shortened, I charge $2 extra for that. For a French manicure, I charge $3 extra. When clients don’t tip my nail technicians, I tell my nail technicians to ask me for change for the clients tip in the client’s presence before the client offers.-Rosina Tyree, Art of Nails, Ft. Myers, Fla.

Topics:tipping

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