Weigh In: I'm a Salon Owner & My Clients Don't Tip
Monday May 5, 2008
I got an email today from a "frustrated salon owner" who recently opened a salon and is dismayed to find the regulars no longer tip based on the old assumption that one never tips the salon owner. I'm here to put the debate to rest: In this day and age, you're supposed to tip the salon owner if the salon owner cuts or colors your hair and did a good job. You would tip your stylist, so it should make no difference if your stylist happens to own the salon. You owe her or him a tip.
I'm hoping my readers can help "Frustrated." She wants to know how she can tactfully let her clients know that times have changed and it's acceptable to tip the owner for good services. I have no idea what she can do apart from framing my article on the matter and putting it up at her work station. So I figured I'd open the blog up to your comments. Weigh in below for advice to "Frustrated." I'll put the best ones on my article so others can follow your advice.
I'm hoping my readers can help "Frustrated." She wants to know how she can tactfully let her clients know that times have changed and it's acceptable to tip the owner for good services. I have no idea what she can do apart from framing my article on the matter and putting it up at her work station. So I figured I'd open the blog up to your comments. Weigh in below for advice to "Frustrated." I'll put the best ones on my article so others can follow your advice.
Comments
If the salon owner want $10 more per haircut, she can just charge $10 more. Surely she decides what the rates are. A tip is not a tip if you expect to get it from every customer – it’s just an added charge, so why be coy about it?
Can I just say, I HATE TIPPING. I know it’s for personal service. But I’m in the service industry and don’t expect–or get–tips. Why not just build it in the price and end the anxiety? Sheesh.
I just read your link on tipping salon owners. Yes, I know they work just as hard—-but with the cost of salon services— tipping 20% would eliminate affordability for the normal working gal. If the prices were lower the tip would be without question. I feel the owner should be given a token tip, 10% at the most. With services broken down into 3 or 4 separate persons taking care of what used to be handled by one person makes the tipping scenario worse yet.
The Salon owner takes the profit. Even if she institutes a profit sharing plan for her employees, she still benefits more than they do from both the day to day and long term profits of her salon. Why should she also get a tip! I find that attitude outrageous and greedy. I live in Europe and people here are always amazed and how often and how lavishly people tip. I say, if she’s the owner and she wants more money, she should charge more and stop trying to guilt her customers into giving her tips.
If you think about it, the salon owner makes all the money made from cutting, styling, and products. So why bother giving even more? My opinion is that if you liked the way he/she cut/coloured your hair then you should tip the person who actually did your hair, not the owner.
In case there is some confusion, I added a bit to the blog post above. The salon owner is also a stylist. She wants the tips from people whose hair she cuts/colors. She is not asking for tips from clients whose hair she does not work on.
What has changed with accepted practice that says a salon owner should now get tips from clients whose hair she/he cuts? I was always told it was considered an insult to tip a salon owner. As others have pointed out, the owner profits from the other stylists in her shop as well as from the sale of products that are generally sold with a very high mark-up.
I would tip, no matter who was doing my hair. But, it really shouldn;’t be necessary, considering she makes the most money. I don’t think she should be so fussy about it…if she wants it all that bad, she can raise the prices or put a big obnoxious jar that says “TIPS VERY APPRECIATED”
Bet your salon owner wishes she kept her question to herself.
Personally, I’d tip whoever my stylist was, owner or not. But, I agree…tacky!
When did we start tipping everyone in the service industry? Wait staff and bartenders yes – their pay is well below minimum wage, and at some point tipping needs to stop! This is a gray area and I agree with the other comment that if you expect an extra “tip” from each customer, build it into the price and indicate that a service fee has been already been added; if people want to tip above and beyond let them, but it is not as common knowledge that a stylist should be tipped as compared to other service industry professionals regardless of if they are an owner or not.
I completely disagree about tipping the owner. Everyone wants a tip these days. I don’t like tip jars at counters either.
I go to the owner of my salon and she doesn’t expect a tip. Not only does she make a profit from the salon but she charges more than the other operators. Since prices are high to begin with and I get coloring, that extra $$ is too much to pay.
Tip the owner? No way. Have you no idea how much profit they make?
My mother has had her haircut (and colored) with the same woman for 30 years. She is the owner of the salon and she REFUSES tips from anyone. I agree with the majority here: if she’s the owner, she’s making additional income off products, employees, etc, so she should not get a tip. Americans are so over the top about tipping, it’s gotten completely out of hand. Before you know it, we’ll be tipping 50% for lousy service and 75% for good service!
I’ve been a hairstylist for over 20 years and have recently become a salon owner. I never expected tips from my clients in the past and still feel the same way. If a client asks me about it, I tell them it’s strictly up to them but that my prices are set so that I make a decent living…the choice is theirs. I agree that the tipping thing is WAY out of hand and the hairstylists, estheticians, etc. need to quit being so greedy.
you shouldent exspect tips at all. if you want tips work as a stylist and then u will. the client comes in to pay for a hair cut why should they pay more. its totaly up to the client. i think its terrible you feel upset. feel happy that your salon is doing well and you have clients after this
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I also agree with the majority. Tipping has gotten way out of control. I feel as though tipping is required versus based upon exceptional service. If someone does not perform good service than I will not go back. Returning customers should be reward enough!
I have been a salon owner off and on for almost 25 years. Some of my clients tip 20%, some have never tipped. I also often get very nice gifts and tips from some of these people during the holidays. All of the stylists at my salons are independent contractors, so basically own there own business and are truly just tenants of mine. When asked by clients whether they should tip me or not, my comment is… “Some people tip and some don’t, however I am just happy that you are here and have chosen me as your stylist. Please remember though, that I always appreciate your referrals.” That seems to handle an awkward situation and they will then usually tip.
My first visit to my current stylist took an hour to straighten out what other morons (and me included) to begin to fix. He’s $25 and I tipped him $5. I go back sometimes in between to fix up things and get it back into shape. He refused $5 but I give it to him. When I do a regular cut, I give him $25 plus $2-$3 since my hair is now super-duper. If it’s an idiot don’t tip. If it’s a doll…do it. What is the problem here?
I think you’d get more business if you raised your rates a bit, paid your stylists, etc. a better wage and put up notices saying “NO TIPPING”. Tipping everybody and their brother in this country is just an excuse for employers not to pay the wages the workers–from waitresses to stylists, and all the others deserve to be paid. And it makes the buying public feel like they might be getting second rate services if they don’t tip enough, and then confused about what is enough.
I detest to tip, do not tip and avoid the maximum I can to go to the salons.This tip thing should be totally erased from the face of the earth.If some people are not satisfied with their salaries, just move to another one!!!
I would never get my hair cut or colored where they have a tip jar. so very tacky
HI EVERYONE,
I hate it that we are put in the position of tipping for all kinds of services. I do tip & tip very well. My husband thinks that I tip too much. He leaves lower tips than I do. I would rather have a no tipping rule. I agree with some of the people here that the employer should pay people better wages.
It is getting out of hand. It is also confusing to me at times. I used to go to a salon where the owner did most of the work. So, I tipped him. If he had another person shampoo me I tipped them. But I really rather just pay a little more & not have to tip.
Many private & upscale salons in Chicago, charge very high prices for almost any kind of service. With the high costs of just living it is hard to afford these high prices. At this point in my finacial life, I have to go to discount hair cut places. So, does my husband. We just can’t afford the high prices + a high tip. Judy K. Chicago.
I also detest tipping in all businesses. I also do a service for people but do not receive tips for what I do and my salary is certainly not great either. How did all of this tipping business get started in the first place? Frankly, I don’t feel that it is fair. Employers should pay a decent living wage for all who work under them. I wish that there could be some way for there to be legislation concerning this in all professions.
Does she tip the Bank or any other service providers?
I tip well when it is obvious that the staff are poorly paid but too often when it goes straight to the owner and the staff get nothing. If the service provider gives me excellent service a discrete tipin his/her hand is better.
I think people need to stop being so greedy and appreciate that you have a successful business.
Julyne, Julyne, Julyne,
You are so wrong. “In this day and age” you should never tip unless you want to. Salon owners and their tenant stylists charge a great deal for their services. They should not expect or budget for any tips to have a solid business or to feel appreciated.
This owner (he/she) needs to adjust to the times, people are tired of paying unclear amounts of money for services that they are paying through the nose for to begin with. Stylist should charge what their skills justify and get on with it.
When I think someone is underpaid and does an outstanding job, I’m one of the first people to give them a little extra to make up for the money hungry owner/bosses that under pay them. I don’t visit places that underpay or expect tips to stay in business.
I am with the NO TIPPING group on this topic.
One way to get around all this tipping at a salon–cut your own hair! I’ve been doing this for years; I figure I can’t screw it up any more than they can and it’ll always grow back. Every 3-4 years I’ll go in and have it evened up but that’s all. After bad allergies I don’t color or perm anymore either.
My hairstylist drives a nice car, owns a better house than I do and always brags about the vacations she frequently takes (I can barely afford camping). In fact, she just returned from France. She has a very comfortable life, which she deserves because she works for it. Her prices reflect her expertise and I’m sure some clients tip her, but I don’t. She hawks a lot of products that she makes a bundle on besides the styling services. She has an assistant that I tip readily because I know she gets paid much less. I work as a waitress and believe me, most people don’t bother tipping, even though I take tremendous pride in my work, and I serve everyone in the best way I can. The rule should be “tip for exceptional service, if you can afford it and if you judge it to be necessary considering the circumstances”. There shouldn’t be an expectation of a tip from anyone, let alone a set percentage. When an unexpected tip is given, it is always a sweet surprise.
I pay a lot more to have the owner color, cut and style my hair. I also buy a ton of products from her. I don’t tip her but I do tip anyone else involved.
I thought I’d be the only one who is against tipping. If the service is above and beyond what is expected of them I tip. I don’t tip when a person just does what they are paid to do. My husband tips. When a waiter thought the tip wasn’t large enough he asked if there was something wrong with the service. I told him it was adequate thank you and left. Perhaps we should all just say “Thank you for doing your job”
How embarrassing for this owner/stylist that she did not do her research prior to setting prices or she would have realized it is not the norm to tip an owner nor should it be. If her prices are so low that she feels she is indeed a minimum wage service provider rather than a professional business owner/operator, she is welcome to set prices to offset needs. My owner/stylist doesn’t accept tips for the reasons stated. She sets prices with loss of tips and cost of doing business in mind and profits entirely from service and products. I hope this is a lesson for readers. Just because someone is providing a service does not mean they are entitled to a tip!
Oh, please, the whole tipping thing is crap. I mean, c’mon, I am a physiotherapist that works in a center and gets a fixed payment for each patient, I should deserve tipping as well, shouldn’t I? Or is my job less important than the owner of a beauty salon, so she deserves tipping and I don’t? I never understood why should some jobs be tipped and some don’t. And for the count, I try not to tip. It’s outrageous to pay more for someone that has set their prices high enough already.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the proprietor of a salon expecting a tip. With the astronomical prices most salons charge, it ludicrous to expect a tip too. Most salons even charge a $1.00 or more when you use a debit card. They nickel and dime us to no end.
If I choose to tip, it has to be my choice; however, I don’t think it should be automatically expected. Thank you!
I ALWAYS tip my stylist, whether it’s my regular stylist, a different stylist, or the owner of the salon! Why are people such “misers?” It doesn’t hurt to leave a tip to a service person who worked on you, made you look and probably feel better about yourself! When I get my eyebrows waxed, at a very upscale salon, the price is $22 and I always leave $5-$6- for a tip. When I go to my hair stylist, I usually get foil frosted, which is really, really expensive, but the stylist is doing a very long, tedious job on me, making me look a 1,000x better, so I feel great about tipping her! My foil frost, including a wash, cut and blow-dry is about $100, so I tip her about $20. The same goes for the owner of the salon! If he ever cuts or
styles my hair, I tip him the same exact amount as my regular stylist! Sure, he’s making a profit, more than the other stylists,
but he worked on my hair, and I’m not a J-Begger!
It’s the same for waitors, waitresses, bartenders, etc.. I always tip 20% b/c I was a waitress for a couple of years, and I found most people were good at tipping, but people from Europe SUCK at tipping, b/c in Europe most restaurants put the tip in the price of the meal, so they don’t ever have to tip.. Then they come to our country, get waited on and they leave like a 3% tip!
In essence, be a nice person and tip whomever services you! It’s only right and polite – whether it’s the owner or someone else…
Must I tip before I receive a service from my saloonist? It does not make sense whereas I have paid for the service, why the tip.
Maybe him/her should not charge for the service but receive only tips as that will enrich her better than the normal charge for hairdo.
Koko
Expecting a tip is wrong. Another word for a tip is a gratuity. A sign that you are grateful for service above what is normally given.
That being said, if I feel that someone deserves a tip, then I tip them regardless of whether or not they are the salon owner or not.
Hello! To All,
The way most salon work stylist work and share a percentage with the owner. Some stylist percent arrange from 45 percent of what they make and the supplies are brought my the salon. The stylist must have their own curly tools etc. It depends on the salon and the prices. Some salon will pay a wage if you don’t earn enough in a week but, not all salon do that Each salon is different. I have been in this business for a very long time. So many stylist leave the business because they don’t have the staying power to build a clientel they just can not afford to stay. When you tip it help these stylist to stay in the business.
I tipped the owner of our upscale, well known salon the first time I visited there (about 2 years ago) and was scoffed at. He told me he would not accept the tip because it was his place. I think it ended up insulting both of us. I know I was embarrassed. So, now we have a great relationship. I do not tip him and he does not want me to. Plus, I get superior service!!!
IMO, if a stylist can’t afford to stay in business unless she gets tips, she needs to find another line of work. And to be fair, most other service professions do not get a tip. I don’t and I could certainly use it. My boss or clients would not pay me more for doing my job well. If I wasn’t doing it well, I would not have a job much less have to worry about tips.
I can’t tell you how very glad I am to read so many responses in favor of not tipping or only tip if you feel the service was exceptional. Also glad to hear the many “wagging finger” comments to the salon owner to felt she “deserved” a tip. Maybe if she is not getting tipped it’s for another reason which should be addressed before she pouts. I agree that the owner should be glad she has a successful business and returning customers should be reward enough. See how long you last running a service business which is not patronized because the customers don’t like your business practices.
Obviously this is a real hot topic but you would never know it from what is generally seen. As someone else said, tipping long ago stopped being a thank you to acknowledge excellent service and has become an entitlement to most, and the public in general has been brainwashed to think they are required to tip, sadly, because some fear they will get lesser service if they do not. People who think their tip is an entitlement have no reason to work better because if tip is a “given”, why bother to earn it? And with multiple people doing minor services, if at all, many more hands are getting into your wallet. Oh and did I mention the stylist who corralled me and asked why I didn’t give her more of a tip than I did? You can be sure that was my last visit there.
I’ve been in salons where they tell you how much tip is expected- I’ve had this experience at a high end salon where you are already paying big bucks for a fancy location and maybe a famous name. Oh, and these salons will require the tip be in cash. (want to guess why???) Anything else to make the client feel intimidated? And we have all noticed the inflated prices of products sold in the salons? Want to convince me that the owner doesn’t take a slice of that pie as well? And they want a tip on top of that???
I think this is a very poor commentary on our society in general, much less seeing the beauty service industry as a microcosm. Sorry I have to agree w/ those who know that the owner, while taking on the resp. of the salon, also gets the prizes as well.
Ladies, my congrats to those of you who stand for your principals and don’t tip or only if you feel it’s warranted.
My oh my. You guys really have firm opinions regarding tipping. I should have reworded my post above. No one “deserves” a tip, but it is the norm to give a tip when the service is good — even to the owner of a salon. –Julyne
It is NOT customary to tip salon owners. How crass to beg for money this way. I can see why you don’t understand the finer points of ettiquete.
I have to disagree with you on this one too. Ive worked in salons for many, many years and never has it been appropriate to tip the salon owner. I have never heard anything about that “changing with the times” at all.
I don’t make this stuff up, I simply report on trends that I read about. And I’ve read more than once that times have changed and owners now expect tips. See this iVillage article (http://beauty.ivillage.com/hair/hairfaq/0,,7v4f4dwh-p,00.html) “We asked Tahnee Seiler, student services coach at the Aveda Institute, and Elie Camoro, a top stylist at Frederic Fekkai, to tell us the right way to tip. They also share some customers’ faux pas.” For the question: Do You Tip The Owner?
What customers do: The commonly held belief is that you shouldn’t tip the salon owner if she or he does your hair. But more and more customers do.
What salon staff wants you to do: That rule really doesn’t apply anymore. Go ahead, tip the owner.
The owners can expect anything they want. Until or unless someone does something above and beyond doing a good job,(for which they are already paid for at a fee they set,) I see no reason to hand over extra dollars. Of course owners want the clients to think it is OK to tip the owner. For some it always was Ok and for others it never was.
But I agree it is crass for stylists to practically stand there with their hand out awating the tip. I don’t appreciate being pressured or not-so-subtly intimidated into giving a tip or being razzed about by the stylists if I don’t meet their expectatons about what/if I give.
I think the ladies here have said it all- they will tip if/w hen they want and only if they feel the job warrants extra. Owners: don’t keep raising your prices, overpricing products (Not to mention times we wait while our appointment time is delayed because you are running late,) and expect us to be happy to be expected to top on top of that. Enough is enough.
Owners should not be tipped. Period. Ask Miss Manners, not salon owners that clearly lack pride. Owners can politely decline tips. Customers are never offended.
I would like to add that if you do not tip the owner, a nice gift at the end of the year to show appreciation is always gratefully accepted.
I guess I have to disagree with some if not most of the posts I just skimmed through. Just because she ownes the salon, doesn’t mean she makes any money from her business OR skims off the top first. After overhead and paying her employees. I do not believe in HAVING to tip a percentage (say 10 or 20%) but if I like my hairstyle, or my nails, or if he or she went out of her way to fix something, then HECK YEAH, I will tip what I think is appropriate, salon owner or not. I am honestly embarrassed by how cheap some people are, in not appreciating how hard people work, standing on their feet all day, trying to satisfy the obviously unsatisfiable customer. Only tip if you are satisfied, and what you feel is appropriate, but not tipping, “just because” is just plain wrong, and not the way you were raised.
I have been in the salon business for 30 yrs….that said, I will relay what my experience has been: in virtually every salon I worked in, people tipped the owners as well as any other person who provided a service. Tips were graciously accepted by all, including owners. Never once did I feel any employees I worked with “expected” tips. They were, however, appreciative. As for product sales, 10-20% was offered as an incentive to sell….I am an artist, not a salesman. If you asked me, I would recommend products. Beyond that, forget it (lol)…during the holidays, people not only tipped a lot more than the rest of the year, often they would come by with plates of homemade cookies (women) and bottles of all kinds of liquor (usually the men did this). All in all, I think the customers were satisfied and the hairdressers were happy. I’m surprised, actually, to see such strong feelings regarding tipping (or not, as the case may be). As a person in a service business (it doesn’t get much more serice-oriented than affecting someone’s appearance!), I tip very well when I am out, be it at a spa, a restaurant, whatever. You tend to get what you give….
OK…do the math…….my hair specialist charges $120 for my tri-color highlight……she spends two and one half hour with me…..let’s say she does 3 of these in a day or $360 or $1800 a week or about $45 an hour…..$1800 times 50 weeks is $90,000.00 a year……space rent is probably 10% and whatever hard costs……so, average wage in this country is well under $45.00 an hour…….median wage or half above and half below is about $12.00 and hour or $25,000.00 per year…..so why tip someone who makes more than most? When tipping, think about what you earn in comparison…..if you make a lot…..then share if you want……..if you are like most of us….why would you….
My hairdresser recently opened her own shop and was truly insulted when I tried to tip her. I have been a faithful client for 3 years and will continue to have my hair done by her. The cost of cut and coloring runs a little over $100.00 and to add an additional 20% would put this faithful client over the edge.
Here’s my two cents, if you are the salon owner and also doing cuts and expecting a tip, then why not keep the fact that you are the owner to yourself. Of course people are not going to feel obligated to tip you extra when they know that you’re the profiteer. Why not just shut up about the fact that you own the place and stop bragging so much, make sense?
I think it depends on if the owner is renter herself. Basically if you are a salon owner and don’t do anything hands on, but do the books and financial obligations for the salon, then they certainly should be tipped. But many salon owner are also “renters” in their own salon. Meaning that they work as a full-time stylist, but they separate that from their position as owner. So, in way, they’re working like two jobs…However, I think its a matter of personal opinion of whether or not you’d like to tip or not.
Tip only for good service. Don’t be so cheap! Be courteous. We should take care of the people who take care of us. A tip is alot cheaper than going to another stylist who may jack-up your hair in the end.
Hair Salon owners usually charge more for their services, atleast 25 to 100% more for their services. It seems they have secured their tip in their service to you already. Most seem to expect a tip and if there is no tip, over a few months your bill does increase. They want that tip, even if they charge more and own the salon.
Some how, that doesn’t sit well with me.
I believe the author of this article needs to offer a retraction. Clearly the majority do not agree with her observation of “current trends.” A more authoritative source than IVillage needs to be cited.
Apparently I am the only person out there who is tipping my stylist for a job well-done! And I’m tipping A LOT. But I feel every penny is worth it and I appreciate the fabulous job my stylist does. She works in a salon where everyone has equal ownership, but even if she was the owner I’d still tip 20%. Afterall, the owner has to deal with rising fuel (heating/cooling) prices, the day-to-day expenses of running a salon, and ensuring that all clients are satisfied–especially her clients. If the salon owner provides an outstanding service for me, I will GLADLY tip!
I have spoken with many salons in New York looking for an answer to this question and I’ve yet to find one salon owner who does not accept tips from her/his customers.
I am a salon owner, and listening to some of the comments, makes me very sick, it sounds as if a lot of customers are jealous of hair stylist, because that is women nature jealous of each other any way, they went to school and probaly got degrees, and make ok money, but is still unhappy to have to punch a clock,and realize, having a 4 year,degree, doesn’t complete you.and found that you can make more money, without a limit. Who are customers to say how much money we should make, all because it is more than they may make. and most owners are self employed, and in a very good money making business, and is very blessed to be able have easy access to any beauty products, and styling free, dress to impress, and enjoy what they do, and have what they desire, but believe we have to work very hard for our money, and depending the type of salon it is the owner isn’t making as much as people think, after overhead. what looks good is not always good.That is what envy does to people, it makes you assume,and judge, and criticize , and stop your blessings, because of your selfishness. Most stylist deserve every penny they receive after listening to customers bored personal lives, they get their hair styled, and have no man to show it off to, they complain about the way they look, after they get great hair do’, because of their personal appearance, which we are beautians, not muscians.You pay for good service. If most clients don’t tip either, they can’t afford it, envy you, or probaly don’t tip no place. Gods 10% can be spreading every where, he test everyones love for giving, and not expecting anything in return, so don’t expect every one to give jenerously, with complaining. You must realize that customers are not our friends, and some hate to see up prosper, and don’t respect what we do. I have realized with many years in the industry, that they come only to get a service. and if they don’t tip, just thank them for their visit, and keep it pushing, and you will get customers, that not only look at you as just a stylist, but as a person, that performed a good service, and they want to show you how much by an extra dollar or two, and letting you know you deserve more, sometimes people give extra, trying to show how much they appreciate the great service, because good service, especially stylist are hard to find, clients, tell us that all the time.All stylist are not the same. some stylist do not let customers down play our professional, you can go out to eat and spend a lot of money and complain about weight, or go buy clothes, or any thing your want, but then complain about how much you pay for the one thing that makes you look and feel good, and some stylist go the extra mile to please, or make some low self esteem customers feel good about them selves, and we are always last on your list. we not only try to make you look like a celebrity, that you want us to try to do, but give you an over all pleasant experience, such as take your coats, some salons offer drinks, reading materials, listen to your personal problems, and give you free services, some of you sorry behinds don’t deserve,that is why tipping has a lot on how a persons heart is, and some of you have cold, hearts, because of your own messed up lives, and bring that shit and try taking it out on the one person, that try to prepare you for the cold world, we all know if we feel good, we feel like we can concur anything.so I do not expect tips from everyone, because of selfishness, jealouness, and people that hate to see others have more, because one lady mentioned about how and what the stylist had, which was more that her,so to all of you that dont tip, you need to check your self, I tip, in places, that tipping is allowed, even if the person, did not do to good, because, it may inspire that person to do good next time. you women need to be a shame of your selves, selfish greedy, envious women, if you aren’t making enough money on your jobs, maybe you should have gone to hair school, don hate, appreciate.
What the heck was that all about? The point is to tip for a good service if it is someone who is not the owner because they only make somewhere around 40% (-costs) whereas the owner makes 100% -costs of anything that they do + if they want to make $100/color they can charge that they stylists working under them can’t! But seriously…whatever happened to just tipping for good service and doing one’s job. Jesus, in Argentina I got a brazilian wax, blow-out + conditioning treatment, mani and pedi for a little over $50 the women were awesome to me and still spoke to me while I was trying to speak “portanhol” (portuguese-spanish) and stayed open later for me! I gave them each a about a $5.00 tip and they were so grateful… And where a degree doesn’t complete you, sure, but if you are satisfied with what you are doing and making what you feel you are worth (- a tip) then fine. The beauty of a tip is that it allows you to have a say in what you thought of a service waitress, hairdresser, bell-hop whatever, which is awesome, I think! But back to the main point, if an owner wants to make a certain amount, just charge it rather than expect. Will save you sometime on feeling butt-hurt about it later. And I’m not one of those cheap miserable people that have a degree and no boyfriend. I have a boyfriend a degree and yes, some times tip a little to owners, buy their products and return if I like them (I’ve even brought earings back from Brazil for my stylist who was an owner!) and I always tip 15%-20% to someone who is not an owner if the service was good and my hair turn out well or better than I expected.
You need to find out what your customers really think about you salon and its services. Your goal as a salon owner is to retain the customers you have and attain more new customers. Have your customer’s rate and review your salon at http://www.salonblabbermouth.com after each visit. Register is free for both the salon owner and customer. This will enable you track what your customers really think and whether you should warrant a tip.
SBM Staff Member
http://www.salonblabbermouth.com
My stylist for 10 years was the salon owner.
I never tipped him but if I had tipped him at a 20% rate, I would have given him about $100 over the course of a year. So, at Christmas, I always gave him a gift of $100. I thought it solved my personal owner/tipping etiquette problem comfortably. I also referred a number of people to him over the years because he really was a great stylist and I know he appreciated the business.
I would be embarrassed if I was a salon owner expecting/taking tips from clients. I would politely decline the tip & tell them the best compliment I could receive is their continued business & referrals.
I find it interesting that your research only includes the salon owners that are always going to opt for more money. clearly these comments will give you customer opinion. I just think that prices should be adjusted so that tipping is not an expectation. It just so happens that “times” are tough and this industry, like so many others, needs to adjust their thinking. After all the taxing, service feeing, extra cost, gast tax, etc. people are tired of giving their money away. If you are fortunate enough to not have this effect you, then good for you be thankful for your blessings and share. if not, you shouldn’t be guilted into giving someone money for a service they are alread being paid for.
I am a salon owner and dont think there is anything wrong with tipping the owner or the other stylist because first of all everything a salon owner has to pay for with utilities and rent plus buying all of the supplie and then on top of that paying the employees it adds up! Also like at my salon we serve wine, soft drinks and bottled water so I also have to purchase that, I mean we can go through a case of water a day and a couple bottles of wine and a twelve pack of sodas so that adds up as well!!! The employees dont pay for that the owner does!! Also sometimes a salon owner is paying a loan back also so not all of that money you think she’s making is goig into her pocket!!! Also at my salon I have ongoing training for my girls so when I find classes for them to go to I not only have to pay them for their time but I also have to pay $30 a head for them to attend the classes and that is something that a salon owner does not have to do but I do to benefit the clients to ensure that my girls are excelent at what they do and know all of the new color and cutting techniques!! I would like to say if you think the salon owner just walks in does hair and then collects money left and right and doesnt have to put it back into something else they are dead wrong, its hard work and I think the owner or any employee should get a tip for a job well done!! Oh and also when that person was saying that hairdressers expect a tip and that they wont do a good job if you dont, well you dont give the tip until the end of the service so why would a hairdresser not do their best to get the biggest tip possble. They are not gonna do a crappy job and expect a huge tip! And the reason that salon owners dont just raise their prices to include the tip is becuase a lot of the clientele will be pissed about the raise in price and go somewhere else where they can pay what they used to and have the option to tip if they feel the stylist deserves it becuase if you just raise the prices then the stylist will be getting that money that normally would be a tip anyway so then why would they go out of their way to do a good job on you ! LOL Makes no sense!!! Then people say oh well I dont give my bank teller a tip blah blah blah!! Well did your bank teller stand for and close to 2 hour doing your highlits and hiarcut and blowdry, no they took about 3 minutes out of their day to enter in your transaction and send you on your way!! So there is a huge differnce there!!
There are many industries were someone is supplying a service and doesn’t receive a tip. When a hairdresser at a high-end salon is making the kind of money that they do – a root retouch that takes about 15 minutes to do at $60.00 a pop. I think it is ridiculous to tip on top of that. I am a graphic designer who supplies a service and always deliver a job well done. I lease my studio space from my landlord. Clients don’t leave tips for this type of service. Someone please tell me what the difference is? I can understand if you go to Super Cuts or something where they are making $12.00 a cut. But I have never been able to wrap my head around this.
If you’ve noticed, salon owners who want tips tend to use the “More people are tipping owners now – that rule is old-fashioned!” claim as encouragement for the rest of us to do so as well. But the fact is, most of those who do tip owners do so not because they’re incredibly generous or feel the don’t-tip-the-owner rule is passé … they’re just ignorant about tipping etiquette & are therefore mistaken for generous – or progressive. lol
People also insist that their salon owner colorist/stylist/manicurist graciously accepts their tips. Of course the vast majority of salon owners accept extra cash as a tip – they’re thrilled you don’t know any better!
ANY PROPRIETOR OF ANY BUSINESS THAT EXPECTS A GRATUITY WHEN PROVIDING A SERVICE IS OUT OF TOUCH. TIPS ARE FOR THE POOR WORKING SLOBS WHO HAVE TO WORK FOR THE OWNER – NOT THE OWNER HIMSELF. THIS PERSON IS JUST BEING GREEDY BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY’RE “MISSING OUT” ON EXTRA CASH. WELL, BOO HOO!!! WHAT A FOOL!
but what is the business owner is the one cutting your hair? You don’t leave him a tip? That’s what this article is about. Not tipping the owner AND the stylist who cuts your hair.
Yeah,my guy is charging $80 per cut, the staff only charges $65. Can’t see why I’d tip more. I’m still pondering.