What to Do About Clients Who Don’t Tip

This is a touchy subject, because there are so many different ways to look at clients who don’t tip.

Tips mean everything to a service-based business — and yet, they are optional.

The amount of times people search for…

“Do you tip a massage therapist?”

It’s insane.

So, what do you do when you have a spa client who doesn’t tip enough? Or salon clients who don’t tip at all? 

But, of course, do what you feel is best for your small business. 

What to Do About Salon and Spa Clients Who Don’t Tip

Remind Yourself That Gratuity at Salons Isn’t Guaranteed

I truly believe that a tip is like a bonus. Expecting a tip is setting yourself up for disappointment.

If you go in expecting one every time, you will find yourself upset and or even angry in the backroom. 

Don’t get me wrong: Does it stink when you spend four hours with a client, and they don’t tip you or leave you $5?

Yes, it does.

I’ve been there myself, but try to think about it from the client’s perspective. 

Some clients don’t understand the tipping game. They don’t even think it’s a thing, right?

It really does all average out at the end of the day. 

The other side of this is that some clients just can’t afford to leave a tip.

Maybe they just love your work and saved for months to come and see you. How fortunate are you to do what you love every day — and to have talent that people save up to use?!

Pricing Your Salon Services Right = Stop Relying on Tips

It’s incredibly important to price your services properly with profits wrapped into each service price. Then, you are covered.

So, how do you do it?

I often suggest to my clients that rather than fighting for more tips, they should change their business approach. Why not go with a *non-*tipping model? 

How to Create a Tips-Free Pricing Structure

1. Start adding in 15-20% to all salon services.
2. Make it very well-known you do not accept tips.
3. Add a disclaimer to your online booking listing if this is the way you decide to go.
4. Let your current clients know in advance that you’re changing your prices and why. This shift has to be very well thought out and clear to the guests coming in for services — including repeat clients. 

I talked to a few salon and spa owners that build “gratuity” into their pricing. They actually enjoy not having the pressure of relying on client whims — and feeling irked by clients who don’t tip.

I believe the guests feel less pressure as well. They don’t have to figure out what 15% is on their service while they’re trying to check out.

Try Online Booking Apps That Automatically Suggest Gratuity

I don’t believe you should ever bring up tipping — or the lack thereof — to a client.

This is a quick way to turn off your clients and make them feel bad if they can’t afford to tip you. It puts everyone in a really tough spot. 

That said, there are may payment processors that gently suggest gratuity when clients pay with credit cards.

This works well for a few reasons.

It lets you avoid the awkward “Would you like me to add a tip to the total? …How much?”

It also means clients don’t have to do the awkward math in their heads around a random $125 total.

Plus, for those clients who don’t tip because they just don’t know they should, it’s a polite reminder.

Accept the Ebb and Flow of Your Salon Finances Gracefully

That said, if a client doesn’t tip, or undertips, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it is what it is.

I believe that is part of servicing guests — recognizing the ebb and flow of receiving big tips and not receiving tips at all.

Go in with a clear understanding that a tip is a bonus, and it’s not to be expected. It can truly change the way you think about tipping and what it means for your business.

Try Out a Side Hustle for Hair Stylists

Plus, the side hustle culture is super common in the hair and beauty industries, so you’re not alone.

If you just can’t get clients to tip you more on a service (or you just love your work!), consider a side hustle as a way to supplement your income.

Here at Vagaro, we give you full control over your scheduling, marketing, and your tips. With our built-in payment processing, giving clients tipping options is not a problem!