How do other Estheticians handle family and friends discounts? I'm constantly expected to offer discounted or free facials and treatments to my friends and family because I work for myself. I have very high overhead and I have offered 1/2 off, but as we know products are expensive and labor intensive, so How do others handled this?

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Following! 

that's a tough one, it almost makes more sense to no discount at all. I know this may seem kind of not nice, but you are a licensed professional with high overhead. Maybe offer 1 free service with the idea that when you get 3 referrals (who come in and pay for a service) from the free service then the next will be free. I know I had $10,000 dollars worth of equipment in my facial room before I sold my first service.

Thanks David for your response.. I like the idea of the referrals... I will have to try this.. I usually just assume they are already doing this since they are family and friends...lol, but most of my referrals actually come from my regular paying clients.. I think the friends and family referral program sounds like a great idea.. :)

My mother gets any treatment she wants for free. The rest of my immediate family (and only immediate family) gets 20% off which doesn't apply to any promotions in running. You have to expect a few jabs about not getting stuff for free but I just ask when I'm going to get free stuff from their jobs and that usually shuts them up.

I've run into this plenty of times as a solo esthetician.  I have to say, when I've offered half-off to people, I become resentful afterwards. I had a friend to whom I offered half off, she paid with a credit card (so I have to subtract fees) and she doesn't tip me. I end up doing her facials at cost, basically. I also did a facial for a "friend" (a woman I know from church) and I did a ton of extractions on her back and I charged her for an 'express' treatment. She didn't tip me, I was underpaid, and exhausted afterwards. I've decided to tell people up front what I charge, so there is no confusion. I think people need to understand we are running a business, and cannot work for free or even half off. Maybe do a 'friends and family discount' of $5 or $10 off, or 10%, but not much more! 

I used to just to just offer certain treatments at a discounted rate for family and friends. For example, they could have an hour Swedish Massage or an Hour Customized Facial for $50.  If they want to add Deep Tissue or Microdermabrasion, I would tell them that it costs a bit more. There were certain treatments that I just didn't offer at a discount if I felt that it was too costly to perform.

Thanks for all the feedback! It's nice to know others feel the same way. At least 4 out of 168 views do...lol..

 I didn't want to sound greedy, but when the neighbors, neighbors girlfirend, cousin I hardly know and everyone else that suddenly thinks you're best friends wants a discount, it starts to become frustrating.. and coming from a person who has a hard time saying no, this has been challenging..

 

I think this is a really important question. When I opened I was cheaper than I am now but I told my friends and family that if they stuck with regular services( every 3 months or more often) they could keep their price forever. Worked great to start and I've got a few lifers!  Now friends discount is $10 less than whatever I'm charging now, they always tip and are very grateful.

BTW: my mom get whatever she wants free too!

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