How to Encourage Tipping When Using Contactless Payment

As a service provider, you’re already grappling with countless “whats ifs” when it comes to your small business.

Can you accept new clients at all?

And then, of course, there’s accepting payment for your services. 

The conventional wisdom seems to be: The less cash exchanged, the better. It’s safer, cleaner.

Encouraging clients to switch to credit card payments is easy enough. But once you’ve done that, that’s when things might start to feel awkward.

In a word: tips.

But what if there’s no easy way to encourage tipping that keeps the process hands-free? 

How to Ask for Tips at a Salon When Using Contactless Payment

Technique 1: Get Rid of the Tip Structure and Charge What You’re Worth

It makes sense: Even back when cash tips were the norm, there’s so much uncertainty around how many tips you’ll receive each month and when. 

Instead, Tulio recommends taking a look at your finances and re-evaluating what you’re charging for your services or classes.

Technique 2: Encourage Tipping Before Clients Arrive for Their Appointments

Your clients get that their appointments will look very different now than they have in the past.

This is a win-win:

1. It reminds any slightly…obtuse clients that you do, in fact, accept tips.

2. It clears up any confusion in advance because you can explain how the credit card tipping works.

Here’s a way of phrasing it: 

“Because we’re trying to go as hands-free as possible, we’re accepting and encouraging contactless credit card payments. With our system, you won’t be able to select your own tip amount, so please let me know at the end of your appointment if you’d like me to add a tip to your total and for how much. As always, it’s so appreciated!” 

Technique 3: Buy a Stylus!

Or you can allow for a little touch.

They’re easy to clean, so you can hand the pen over to the client rather than your entire payment device.

Once your client leaves, presto! Just spray and clean the pen. No need to sanitize your full device every time.

Technique 4: Practice Getting Comfortable with Asking for a Tip

The truth is, the awkwardness around tipping feels a lot less substantial these days.

We’re all nervous about touching other people’s items. We’re all uncertain.

So, when all else fails, just address it. Practice on your most loyal clients to get more comfortable. And hey, feel free to crack a joke. Think: 

Send the bill straight to your client’s phone with contactless payment. Ditch the card reader, speed through payment, and bump up tips. Available now on Vagaro.