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Groomers.................


pesh
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Hi All

Some of you know I'm a groomer on the NSW Central Coast. Not a big compeditor, just enough to keep me going.

Sometimes I find when I'm talking to other groomers they have the same complaints as each other - "Why don''t we all get together and have the same prices, why should I give a discount on multiple dogs, etc etc."

So out of interest I thought I'd ask some questions. Was setting up a pole but just took too long and wouldn't let me do all I wanted.

Are you mobile or shop?

Are you independant or franchise?

Do you own the business?

How much do you charge for:

Standard wash and semi dry?

Tiny short coated.

Tiny long coated.

Small short coated.

Small long coated.

Medium short coated.

Medium long coated.

Large short coated.

Large long coated.

Extra large short coated.

Extra large long coated.

What is included in your basic wash and dry?

How long do you give each booking?

How about clipping prices?

Tiny long matted coat.

Tiny long coated.

Small long matted coat.

Small long coated.

Medium long matted coat.

Medium long coated.

Large long matted coat.

Large long coated.

Extra large long matted coat.

Extra large long coated.

These questions are based on a basic wash.......and below

Do you give a discount to prebooked regulars, if so how much?

Do you give a discount on multiple dogs at one site, if so how much?

Do you clip dog nails, if so and it's an extra in your service, how much?

Do you charge extra for flea rinse, if so how much?

Do you charge extra to clip a dogs rear end, if so how much?

Do you charge extra to scissor knots off from behind ears and/or body area, if so how much?

Do you charge extra for very dirty dogs?

Do you charge extra for ear care?

Do you charge extra for a dog that does need clipping, but the owner doesn't want the clip done, just a wash? I'm thinking of time with this question.

Do you have a website for people to look at. How much work comes from that website?

Do you advertise in the yellow pages? Are you happy with the service? What size advert and do you have, and are you on the seperate internet listing with them?

Where does most of you work come from, such as advertising, word of mouth, brochures etc?

How many dogs do you estimate you do daily, and are you happy with that amount?

You can see what I'm getting at, any other info would be great.

Please don't feel you have to answer all or any of these questions if you feel it's not any of my business, I'm just interested in what others charge and how much you advertise, plus how we rate up here on the Central Coast.

Thx

Sharon

Edited by pesh
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Sometimes I find when I'm talking to other groomers they have the same complaints as each other - "Why don''t we all get together and have the same prices, why should I give a discount on multiple dogs, etc etc."

For what it's worth:

"Price fixing is collusion between businesses on the price goods and services will be sold to consumers. Price fixing is prohibited under s. 45 of the Trade Practices Act."

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/716949

Edited by Luke W
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I agree with not giving discounts for multiple dogs - it takes just as long per dog to groom one dog as it does to do two!

We do not give discounts for multiple dogs at our vet clinic for this exact reason - why should groomers be any different?

It is just selling yourself short IMHO.

Vets dont do price collusion but we do have a price survey done Nationally each year so we can bench mark ourselves against other clinics. I believe this is completely legal - maybe groomers could do something along these lines??

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I don't charge more for any of the 'extras' you mention as they really don't take extra time. I will charge more for flea shampoo simply because it costs more then the other shampoos I use.

I only charge nail clipping if the person is not a grooming client, otherwise they are welcome to come in anytime to have nails trimmed.

I'm in anpother country, so no point in talking about prices I charge. I have my own independent shop, was mobile previously.

I prefer to do a good job and take my time, charge a little more and not have the stress of having to race through lots of dogs, besides which my back can't take it anymore.

Basic wash and dry is 2 shampoos, conditioner if needed, towel dry then brush and blow dry, including knot removal.

I just have phone number listing in yellow pages, no advert. Work mainly comes from word of mouth, people passing the shop, I am also listed on my breed clubs groomers lists.

In the UK we have price surveys done every few years and it is interesting to see what other people charge but at the end of the day, you have to charge what you think you are worth and what the area is willing to pay.

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but at the end of the day, you have to charge what you think you are worth and what the area is willing to pay.

Very true about the area. In the Western Sydney the prices are ridiculously lower than in the North, but thats because thats all people are willing to pay in this area.

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In general mobiles charge 15-20 more than salons to cover their petrol/travel expenses.

Although without meaning any offence (as I have done both) salons tend to do a more thorough pro job than mobiles, in general I am sure there are exceptions.

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No offence taken at all. I agree.

If I have someone ring who wants the dog TOTALLY dried I recommend a salon. Mobiles don't have the time to place multiple driers on a dog, and I don't find it fair for a dog to stay/stand in one place for so long. I also recommend the older dogs, large-extra large breed be taken to salons to be clipped. Why? Because these jobs can take a couple of hours, a dog needs a break now and then, a mobile can't do that. Your working on one dog, where as a salon you can give a dog a break and work on another in between breaks.

We have one salon up here who you wait your turn for the clip and your not to leave the dog. He charges $25, and aparently is very busy.

Edited by pesh
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I used to do mobile grooming and we 100% dried the dogs every time. We charged around $40 for a wash and dry (including nails, ears, etc) and $60+ for a clip. Bigger dogs and matted dogs were extra. Washes usually took 45-60 mins and a clip would take around 1.5 hrs. We would normally do 10-11 dogs in a day. I think we did a small discount for multiple dogs at the same house because obviously we didn't have the extra travel/fuel costs for the extras.

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Same Kirty. When I had my mobile dogs were always fully dried.

I don't give healthy, fit dogs a break here. I never have, salon or mobile. They are worked on from start to finish, 1-2 hours. I prefer to get them out the door which is why I stagger them in, rather than all in first thing.

I would be concerned with not drying that the dogs may become more susceptible to hot spots etc? I think it pays to have the fluff and puff finish, but then you would have to charge accordingly Pesh so I guess it's all consumer demand.

I know I charge around 120-140 for a Mal and the groomer who works with me gets her Mal done for around 40/50 elsewhere. That's a massive difference and I am one of the more reasonably priced groomers in the area.

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Are you mobile or shop?

Mobile

Are you independant or franchise?

Independany

Do you own the business?

yes along with my OH

How much do you charge for:

Standard wash and semi dry?

$18 for all dogs with semi blow dry it includes ears and nails

What is included in your basic wash and dry?

Small med dogs with short hair $25

Medium hair $35

Large Long hair $40

How long do you give each booking?

Clips 1.5 hours and hydrobaths we have dogs in the bath for 10-15 mins so we allow 20-30 mins

How about clipping prices?

Tiny long matted coat. $60-70

Tiny long coated. $50

Small long matted coat. 55-65

Small long coated. $55

Medium long matted coat. $65-75

Medium long coated. $65

Large long matted coat. $90-$100

Large long coated. $85

Extra large long matted coat. same as above

Extra large long coated. same as above

These questions are based on a basic wash.......and below

Do you give a discount to prebooked regulars, if so how much?

Regular clients receive $5 off I also do pensioner discounts and charge $40 for a small dog WDNE clip and if bigger generally take $15 off

Do you give a discount on multiple dogs at one site, if so how much?

Yes I do I will do 2x small dogs for $100 etc

Do you clip dog nails, if so and it's an extra in your service, how much?

Yes I do dog nails but no extra charge

Do you charge extra for flea rinse, if so how much?

If its a $18 wash I charge a extra $5. If its a clip or full wash with blow dry its free

Do you charge extra to clip a dogs rear end, if so how much?

Do you mean like a tidy? face feet and bum? If so I charge an $35 for that service including a wash.

Do you charge extra to scissor knots off from behind ears and/or body area, if so how much?

No

Do you charge extra for very dirty dogs?

Depends on the dog I have charged one lady a extra $5 as I had to shampoo the dog 3 times

Do you charge extra for ear care?

No

Do you charge extra for a dog that does need clipping, but the owner doesn't want the clip done, just a wash? I'm thinking of time with this question.

Depends on the dog in general but I havent yet. I guess I would consider it when taking the booking when asking what breed

Do you have a website for people to look at. How much work comes from that website?

No website

Do you advertise in the yellow pages? Are you happy with the service? What size advert and do you have, and are you on the seperate internet listing with them? No I am only a new business only been open for 3 months

Where does most of you work come from, such as advertising, word of mouth, brochures etc?

Word of mouth, brochures and from the markets. We hold a stall and sell dog products as well

How many dogs do you estimate you do daily, and are you happy with that amount?

I think majority are happy as in 3 months I have built up 51 regular clients who get their dogs done atleast every 8 weeks.

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