The Challenge of Fixing Another Salon’s Work 😬

Happy Tuesday!

Have you ever been asked to backfill another nail tech’s work or soak off Gel Polish that someone else applied? It’s a common situation in our industry, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Let’s talk about why you might want to think twice before saying yes.

Why You Should Be Cautious About Backfilling Other Techs’ Work

When you take on a client who’s had their extensions done elsewhere, you don’t know what products were used or if they were of good quality. Over time, low-quality products can become brittle and lead to breakages. If those nails start breaking weeks after you’ve taken over, guess who gets blamed? That’s right—it’s your reputation on the line.

The Risks of Soaking Off Unfamiliar Gel Polish

Removing Gel Polish from another salon can be a time-consuming process, especially if the client doesn’t know what brand was used. You might have your own system down to a 15-minute removal, but with an unknown product, you could be wrapping up a non-soak off gel or a stubborn at-home kit that takes forever to remove.

This can throw off your entire schedule and cut into your income, not to mention it could impact your next client’s appointment. Clients might not understand that the extended soak-off time is due to an unfamiliar system rather than your skill.

Crafting a Policy That Protects Your Time and Reputation

This isn’t something you necessarily need to advertise, but it’s important to have a policy in place for clients who request backfills or removals of work you didn’t do.

A simple way to handle this is by asking all new clients to arrive with naked nails. If that’s not possible, explain the risks and book extra time to account for potential complications, charging an additional fee for the time involved.

For example, you could say, “We do ask new clients to arrive with naked nails, but I’m happy to make an exception. However, I’ll need to book an extra 20 minutes for your service and add a $15 fee to your service.” This sets clear expectations and ensures you’re compensated for your time.

Why You Shouldn’t Hesitate to Charge for Extra Time

Remember, your time is valuable. If you’re spending extra time on a tricky removal, you deserve to be paid for it. Even if the removal takes less time than anticipated, the client was informed of the fee upfront, so it’s perfectly reasonable to charge for the time you allocated specifically for their appointment.

Handling Requests for Backfills on Unknown Products

If a client requests a backfill and you’re unfamiliar with the product used, it’s okay to say no. Politely explain that you can’t guarantee the outcome and suggest they come with naked nails or book a removal as part of their service.

Protecting Your Reputation

Ultimately, your reputation is key. If you need to decline a client to protect your reputation for quality, that’s okay. Someone else will book, and your business will thrive because you’re known for your high standards.

Remember, you have the power to influence your reputation by setting clear policies that reflect the quality of your work. Customize your approach to suit your salon, and don’t be afraid to adapt and refine your policies as you see fit.

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