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There are many ways that I see people attempting to stretch their money during this recession. Some are planting their own gardens. Others are mowing their own lawns. Still others are washing their cars less.
One area that I noticed the other day was when I was at the hair salon. Like a good business, my salon asked me as I checked out whether I would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment for six weeks out. I didn’t have my calendar with me, so I passed. However, on my drive home it hit me that haircuts are probably an area that people are cutting back on.
Now, maybe they aren’t going so far as to change salons to save money, after all, most women won’t let just anyone cut their hair. However, if I were a betting woman I would guarantee that the majority out there are beginning to go every 7 or 8 weeks instead of every 6 like before. After all, how many women haven’t thought to themselves, “I’ll just wear a pony tail for a week if it starts looking bad.”
So, knowing this, what could a salon do?
My thought was that they needed to offer an incentive to schedule a 6 week appointment at the time of checkout rather than calling and scheduling at a later date. Maybe 10% off your haircut. Or maybe a free mini facial. The little bit the salon would lose from the discount would be more than made up for by the guaranteed customers.
Think about it this way. In my area an average cut and style at a middle level salon is about $40 including tip. So, if you consider that if a client comes to the salon every 6 weeks for a year that is 8.6 times. Obviously someone can’t go half a time, so we will round down to 8. So take 8 and multiply it by $40. That is $320.
Now look at if they had gone every 8 weeks instead. That is only 6 times in a year. That is $240…$80 less! And that is if they only get a haircut. Let alone any highlighting, waxing, extensions, manicure, pedicure, massage, etc. As I said, the small discount you give for them automatically scheduling it 6 weeks out is more than made up for with the increased frequency.
What ways can you keep your customers from stretching their dollar too thinly with your products or services?
