hugo37•12d ago

Rant: Should we charge for consults or not? I'm torn after last week's mess

I've been going back and forth on this for a while now. Three years ago I started doing free 15 minute consults for new clients, seemed like a no brainer to get folks in the door. Then last week a lady spent 45 minutes asking about balayage, took photos of my work, and then booked with someone else down the street. My coworker says free consults are part of the biz and I should just accept it. But another stylist I know charges $25 per consult and credits it toward the service. What's your take? Do you charge or keep it free? Has anyone else had a consult turn into a shopping trip for the client?

2 comments

2 Comments

jordangibson12d agoMost Upvoted

My friend owns a small shop and she tried free consults for a bit. One guy came in asking about a full color correction, spent two hours with her picking formulas, then admitted he was just price shopping. She charges $30 now and credits it toward the service if they book. It's way better than wasting time on tire kickers.

uma_patel1912d ago

$25 and credit it toward the service if they book... that's the way to go. Stops the tire kickers cold.