Do most regular clients get holiday gifts for their electrologist? Just curious!
The short answer is that this is something you need to want to do for no other reason than you want to do it, and you need to find out how to do it, if your electrologist will allow you to.
We have discussed this a whole lot over the years:
http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1292/1.html
http://www.hairtell.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/19295/1.html
So far, in the last few weeks, I have recieved scented candles, fudge, candy, decorative Christmas bowls and a few gift cards. I never hint or expect to receive any gifts, but have figured out that it just makes others feel very good to give to others, so I’m always gracious about such things. Let me put it this way, there is a lot of hugging going on in my office in the month of December. The little Prince of Peace just brings that out in all of us at this time of year.
Giving your electrologist a gift is a personal decision. There are many electrologists that will give back to their steady clients as well as a thank-you for your business gesture. It can be done in the form of a coupon of just knocking off $20 at their next appointment and then telling them you appreciate their business.
I consider my electrologist a professional, like me. I don’t give my attorney, accountant, doctor, or any other professional a holiday gift.
I agree with you byrce, but I have given to my doctor and my own electrologist (before I became an electrologist) in the past. We became friends, so I considered it a gift to my new best friend, who happened to be giving me a service that I deeply apreciated.
If giving feels forced or in keeping with what others do at a certain time of the year, then don’t do it. Most professionals are not salivating for Christmas time to arrive just to receive a tin of homemade fudge. If we wanted it, we could certainly go purchase it on our own.
I don’t accept tips in my ofice, however, there is one person that INSISTS on giving that extra dollar after her appointment. I’ve learned to just smile and say, “thank you”. It makes her feel good and as for me, I just turn it over and tip the server more after my next eat-out.
Again, I agree with you about not tipping professionals, but wanted to explain why that could change under some circumstances.
Thanks bryce,
Dee
Professionals definitely get gifts during the holidays. I’ve worked in medical offices, and you wouldn’t believe the tons of gifts that grateful patients give to express their gratitude. I think mostly because they know it’s inappropriate to tip during the rest of the year. A lot of baked goods, gift cards, gift baskets, flower arrangements, breakfast, items related to the doctor’s hobby, i.e., golf, etc. Most of these gifts go home with the staff. They also have a lot of gifts from pharmaceutical reps, other medical offices, etc., to divide with the staff.
I take my own physician and his staff an “office gift” when I have an appointment between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I alternate between a nice poinsettia or sinful pastries from an upscale bakery.
As for my own business, I prefer not to be tipped, but like Dee, I have a couple clients that insist. I appreciate the Christmas gifts, but I definitely don’t expect them.
I hope that everyone has understood that one of my points here has been to face the fact that some people will insist on tipping, or gifting you, and it is better to come to some agreement on how to best facilitate that, so that you are not insulting your customers/clients/friends and also to make sure that you don’t end up with bushells of apples or an office full of gifted plants.
I had a professional friend who was strict about not taking tips, but slipped and said that she loved Gala Apples, and found them irrisistable. You know what everyone started doing? You guessed it.
Another person I know had her gardening books in her office for reading during down time, and people would bring her all sorts of potted plants.
Since people are going to want to give you stuff anyway, you had best make peace with how that gets done… or learn new ways to use bussells of apples in a week. (I am not sure that a place that feeds the homeless is allowed to accept produce. Seems to me that they are always limited to processed canned goods.)
I have had $4400 worth of electrolysis and 99% of the my facial hair is gone. My electrologist Dawn is so nice and supportive, here is what I’ve done for her. Is this a holiday gift, sort of. I made no bake cookies, mm mm, they are so good!! I also made a certificate that I framed. Yes the certificate took me 4 hour to make, it had a picture of her office in the back ground with word of appreciation over top. It was also signed by me. It came from the heart and she was very touched by it. Don’t buy them something they can buy themselves, make if from the heart, that what is the best.
Beth’s idea is a great one.
People visiting the office for the first time are always asking, “But does this REALLY WORK?”
Customer testimonials in bold certificate form attest that someone thinks it works. 