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client not paid me properly after makeup??
So.. i did a wedding trial earlier, on 4 people. They all said they liked their makeup, including the bride, then when it came to payment, the bride underpaid me by £15. When i pointed this out, she said that 'it wasn't worth the full amount' I then asked how come (i've made sure to undercut everyone in the area so i know i'm not overpriced) , as she did say earlier that she was happy with it.. she said she 'didn't know' and just wasn't wowed by it, and couldn't pinpoint the problems out. I kept asking to alter her makeup or redo her trial till she was happy as i don't like to have an unhappy client.. she kept saying nah its ok, don't worry, blah blah. So in the end i left, frustrated. My question is, how can i avoid this in future, clients making up their own rates and paying what they want?? i kept telling her i'd redo it, even though she couldn't decide what it was about her makeup that she didn't like.. Do you write up a contract first, before the actual trial day (i do one for the wedding day), or do you simply ask for money upfront before starting the application? thanks! kelly-melissa.com Feb 01 15 09:18 am Link Refuse to leave until you: 1) get paid the agreed upon amount Or 2) are escorted out by the police In the long run it might be karma for intentionally "undercutting" everyone else. If you want to drive the market into the ground, fine. The bride is just helping you get there a little quicker. Feb 01 15 09:30 am Link Steve Korn wrote: i don't get what you mean by karma for intentionally undercutting everyone else.. its not like i'm some moron with a paintbrush who just decided one day to make some money and try to take away all the clients in my area by charging next to nothing.. Feb 01 15 09:36 am Link ...until the next person comes along and charges 5 less than you and so on until there is no more money to be made because everyone has to work for less to remain afloat. If you're good, charge appropriately. Getting and keeping clients is about doing good work and earning their respect, not being the cheapest. If this is important to you, charge the industry standard or more, never less. Keep your profession alive and vital, not racing to the bottom. Feb 01 15 11:43 am Link kelly melissa wrote: My question to you is how did this client find you? Reason I ask is the lion's share of my bridal assignments come from referrals... and I have enjoyed a stellar success rate at closing these clients... kelly melissa wrote: A very quick and highly effective way to become known as a mercenary... Kelly in my market the client typically signs a contract AFTER the trial application... until then we advise them that we can not hold their date... this works and is an industry standard... Here across the pond contracts are legally binding if signed by an individual who has reached the age of majority (or has been declared an emancipated minor). Feb 01 15 12:01 pm Link ok i get what you're both saying.. i'll think about revising my prices. Then maybe i won't get these riff raff women who expect something for nothing too. Sorry makeupimagery, i don't understand some of the words you're using lol. The client found me via facebook, i did her friends makeup a while ago and she saw the photo on my makeup profile. I've never had anyone before that wasn't happy with their makeup trial, but can't say i'm surprised- had to come sooner or later cause you can't please everyone! as for not charging for the trial, theres no way i'd do that.. word would get around and i'd have allsorts lying and saying they're getting married when really they'd want a free makeover for a night on the town! Feb 01 15 01:03 pm Link and yup i've moved on, i was never crying about it in the first place, i just wanted to know what you guys did to avoid situations like these? also what's price point? i haven't heard of it here Feb 01 15 01:05 pm Link If you don't have contracts and such and the manner in which you interact with your industry and clients is unprofessional, you cannot expect the industry and clients to treat you with respect and esteem you. 1. You purposefully charge less than other artists in your area. When your whole mindset is to get a job by charging less than others, you diminish your skills, artistry, training and expenses as well as those of your fellow artists. You also invite clients who are just looking to hire the cheapest artist. When money is what they value most, you cannot expect their behavior to reflect anything less. 2. You charge for trials. This may discourage some higher end clientele from booking you. Instead, consider including the trial when a wedding is booked and DEPOSIT received and only charging when someone doesn't book a wedding. This should be spelled out in your contract. 3. You don't use contracts before the wedding day. You don't accept payment in advance of doing the work. Both are foolhardy. Contracts protect you and the client. They are also standard professional practice and instill confidence in clients of worth. When I arrive at a trial booking, I take care of payment before I work, same for the remaining payment on the wedding day. There are ways to do this graciously and professionally, and it is expected by clients because it is stated in my CONTRACT, which I go over with them before beginning a trial. I would strongly suggest that you talk to the English equivalent of a lawyer and an insurance agent and an accountant. Get your contracts in order. Get a business license. Get insurance for liability and for your kit. Contact the busiest wedding artists with the best reputations in your area. Ask to buy them dinner or a coffee and pick their brains, find out how they do business, what has worked well and what hasn't. All this is meant kindly dear heart, we all want to support other artists and see them succeed.  Best of luck.Feb 01 15 01:50 pm Link Makeup Hair by Dani B wrote: thank you Dani.. I don't get what you mean though, if you use contracts but not before the wedding then when do you use them? or do you mean not JUST before the wedding? sorry Feb 01 15 03:10 pm Link Always get payment before you start the application. The trial is to be paid in full and is not included in the bridal contract deposit for the wedding day. After the trial makeup sit down with the bride and go over your contract with her in detail. THEN tell her the deposit amount she will need to put down to secure her wedding date. If she does not want sign the contract then, tell her that she can always make a payment to you at a later time, but that you will not HOLD ANY date unless a deposit is made first. Feb 02 15 04:50 pm Link I do go over the contract, which is for both the trial and wedding day, before the trial begins. I also take payment before I begin the trial for the trial. The fee for the trial is then applied to the cost of the bridal services if they choose to book me. So the trial fee is actually deducted from the total amount. If they choose not to book services, I've still been paid for the trial. Hope that clarifies. Feb 03 15 09:27 pm Link Wow. That would be like going to a resturant eating the entire meal and saying the same thing. How tacky. You said you found her through Facebook. I'm not on Facebook but can't you express how the trial turned out for all to see in a way that doesn't make you look bad yet allows her to be viewed in a poor light? Again, I don't know how Facebook works it's a suggestion. I use square to take payments. Maybe you can start taking credit cards? If they dispute the charge at least you can work it out with the credit card company. Glad you moved on. Good luck to your continued success and raise your prices! You may be saying you are not worth the extra money to the brides. R- Feb 04 15 05:34 am Link Always have the bride sign a Bridal Contract. You can look up Bridal Contract templates online. It establishes everything from the date and time, pricing, and what services you are offering as well as who you are applying makeup to. Once she has signed the contract, she must pay the agreed amount that is written on the contract. I'm sorry that happened to you, that is very frustrating and beyond disrespectful of her. But next time, just have the bride sign a contract. Feb 15 15 12:06 pm Link I always discuss payment on the day of the trial even if it has been discussed before. The payment amount is discussed upon arrival, and I ask if they want to pay now (just to get the business part out of the way) or they can pay when i am finished, but I always make sure that the amount is known on that day. I've had a client tell me that they didn't have all of the money before I started the trial, and i told her that i couldn't provide the service. I only do contracts for weddings, not the trials, but If you don't have my money I will call the police. It sounds as if She had no intentions of paying you the full amount from the beginning and she figured that you wouldn't make a fuss about shorting you that amount. Feb 15 15 07:24 pm Link kelly melissa wrote: sounds like shes just a cheap bitch.... im sorry.... this infuriates me so much!!! Feb 15 15 07:43 pm Link Ew how tacky of her! You have been provided with excellent advice...but wow what a B. Feb 16 15 05:38 pm Link What are some of you guys prices? Is 150$ for bride ( includes picture touch ups) and 50$ for each additional face too much or too low? Feb 17 15 05:28 pm Link LA_Seay wrote: LA_Seay from your Profile Bio I work at a Salon... Whatever your salon charges plus a multiplier for practicing your craft on location... Feb 17 15 08:43 pm Link With respect, I feel if you sell yourself on price, you will run into cheapskates. This bride wanted to be wowed by the makeup, but also wanted the lowest price in town. Feb 18 15 05:51 am Link I have heard this so many times in the UK, facebook bookings that are a nightmare, low cost and budget brides etc. Undercutting is a no no publicly competitive pricing is a better term. Contracts and outlining terms before the trial is a must. The UK is a highly competitive market and it seems to be getting worse, stepping up our game seems to be the key to resolving this and being harder on pricing, terms and contracts is a requirement, Personally I would say take it as a lesson learned and start contracting and reviewing the work and how you advertise yourself. Feb 19 15 03:53 am Link I agree with everything said EXCEPT asking to be paid for the trial before the trial begins. That's like a hair stylist asking a client to pay in advance for a cut or color. Luckily I've not (yet) had the unfortunate situation the OP has, but asking for payment prior to a personal service is tacky and almost always ensures you will not see a penny of gratuity. Feb 19 15 08:17 am Link Makeup Art by Tamara wrote: I have to respectfully disagree that asking for payment prior to a personal service is tacky and that it increases the likelihood that a gratuity won't be paid. While I never ask clients for a full payment upfront, I do require a deposit for my services before they're rendered and that is at least a partial payment being made upfront which holds the date(s) for them. No one has ever balked at this, likely because in showing that I place value on my time and talent, they my extension do the same. Feb 20 15 04:27 pm Link I use a bridal contract for the trial and wedding day and take a non refundable booking fee for both. I also have a mobile card machine (like the ones in restaurants), and it's a life saver! I had a client like yours last week that tried to under pay me, claiming she had no cash and the makeup was ok, but insure blah blah , however when I got my card machine out and said I accepted cards and I required payment before I left she paid. I also told her that I have given her advice on shades, styles and foundations, however she decided to go with her own choices, so I could not held liable if she didn't like it. As I was doing what I was asked to do. Unfortunately you get this type of client no matter what your prices are as high prices are no prevention against people like this.. Feb 23 15 11:55 pm Link Oh wow Sorry I've only just seen all these replies! Thanks so much everyone, I feel alot better now For the bride I charge 50GBP for the trial and 65GBP on the wedding day (inc a Mac lipstick to top up). 35GBP on additional persons trial and 40GBP on the day. I'm located in Buckinghamshire, England. Could this be part of the problem, am I too cheap or that reasonable in other people's opinions? I use all high end makeup like mac, Chanel, ysl etc. Apr 21 15 02:47 am Link Personally I would take the money first next time. What she did was not right and you should not do her wedding day makeup if she asks you to. Because she will do it again. It sounds to me like she planned on doing this before u did the makeup. I never take payment before the trial just because I feel weird about it but they sometimes give it to me before I start. I have had people try to walk away without paying me claiming I never told them that I charge for trials and I would have to take out my phone to prove that I told them the cost via email or text. People are shady. Apr 22 15 06:37 am Link Always take payment in full for the trial when you book the trial... It should not go on your calendar until it's paid. The wedding should not go on the calendar until it's paid in full as well. Contracts mean nothing...Money means something and it has to be in your bank account. I suggest Pay Pal over credit cards because people can put a stop on credit cards easier than pay pal. Make sure you do have a 48 hour clause...they cancel within 48 hour, they lose the funds. Apr 22 15 09:23 pm Link So in the case that you are just starting out in the makeup industry and trying to build your portfolio, I know that you are to be doing TFP work. However, what are you to do if you are getting a substantial amount of clientele? In this case, would it be okay to charge a cheaper rate? Would that still be "undercutting the other makeup artists"? I feel as though one or two faces here or there should be done for free, but if you are receiving enough clientele to be booked for the entire weekend (only off days) with multiple faces per day you should be receiving SOME sort of pay. Now because I am just starting out I do not feel right charging what lets a seasoned MUA would charge, but considering the work is not "beginner" level and all of the products used are high end I should be receiving some sort of compensation based on the clients occasion. If it is TFP work obviously I will work for free, but if it for prom, a night out, birthday, etc I feel like charging something minor is fair? Please correct me and guide me in the right direction if you disagree, I would love some insight (: Apr 24 15 12:57 pm Link Tiffany_B wrote: I agree with you 100%... We aren't in a salon situation and we don't expect a gratuity... A gratuity is for service people...people that aren't paid much. Professionals and contractors rarely expect or get tips (when is the last time you tipped your Doctor? Plumber? Contractor? I regularly tip those that do my hair but when the salon owner does my hair he charges me double and I don't tip him....he owns the salon. It's customary to tip the wait staff... That's not how I see myself as an artist. I see myself as a contractor, a business owner who charges what she's worth.... Tips actually insult me a bit. Apr 27 15 02:56 am Link |
