Anyone in the service industry gets paid for providing a service.  Sometimes it  is hard for us to charge our customers for extra services that we provide.

When I was much younger I had my hair done for the first time on my own.  The cost was $20 for the hair cut but by the time I left the shop my bill was over $35.  Sure, the hair cut was $20 but then came all the extras.

“Do you want me to blow dry and style this new cut for you?”  The stylist asked.

I thought this was a strange thing to ask, it was 18 degrees outside, of course I wanted to get it blown dry.

“Would you like me to add one of these clips?”  The stylist proceeded to up-sell me.

Wow!  Those clips were cute, so I got one.

Live and learn.  After the surprise at the check out counter, now whenever I am asked if I want anything at the beauty salon I always ask what the cost will be.

Today I am in the service industry myself and its hard for me to charge extra for any additional service.  I am more inclined to put the customers wants ahead of my own interests.  For example, I know I only paid about two cents  for one crystal so I would be inclined to just give it to the customer because they want it.  I guess a Psychologist could have a field day with me but that is  the way I am.  Here is a solution to this issue that works for me.

I state everything up front.  I choose to have everything in print because I know I can give in to a customers wants, especially near the end of a busy day.  I have everything spelled out one way or another in my booth.  For example: the crystals.  I have sprayed  a few tat designs on paper, added some crystals to the tats and printed  the cost of the crystals on the the paper.  I framed the paper in a simple, inexpensive picture frame and place it on a table in my booth in view of the customer.  After I apply the tat, I point to the picture and ask if they would like me to apply a crystal to their tat. They can see how pretty the crystals are and they can see the additional cost. (To read more about this strategy see my earlier blog Adding Swarovski Crystal Accents to Airbrush Tattoos).

If you are spraying the grim reaper (#117) or the kitten (#020) stencil design as they appear on the poster you should be getting more money than you would if you sprayed these designs with just the outline.  I have placed an additional price dot by both of these designs on my poster. When they want either of these designs I explain the price difference and let them decide how they want it done.  Price is not an issue since it is spelled out for them before they decide.

I don’t like surprises myself and I dislike being on the opposite end of giving someone else an unexpected surprise.  If everything is spelled out and I can show the customer the printed fact, there is no doubt. I rarely have an issue with a customer questioning their charge.  Since every pricing detail is spelled out, I also do not have an issue with a customer trying to put me in a position of having to give them something for nothing.