Shortly after I started working for NSVET I noticed my check wasn't what I thought it should be. I asked what they were charging and once I was told, there was no more confusion. It was more horror. I asked if we might bring the prices up and it was agreed that I would supply them with a menu of all my prices so I would be happier with the pay. Lucky smart little me all ready had a grooming "menu" from my previous places of employment which listed every breed and every service I provide, along with the prices. You'd think that would settle it right then and there no? I shot the menu on over via the web. The FDG's (front desk girls) thought the menu looked "crowded" and said it had to many breeds on it. Their solution? Free up some space by removing the breeds that don't frequent our facility. Unbeknownst to me that number was about half (maybe more) of the listed breeds. They showed me the new and "improved" menu and while I thought it was silly to take all those breeds off, figured they'd know what came through the doors more than I would. We're talking years of employments against months here. I said fine and everyone was happy. Then a Borzoi shows up. Hey JH, how much should we charge for a Borzoi? Isn't it on the menu? No no, we removed that breed because it never ever comes in.
I see.
This happened again. With another breed that never ever comes in. And I can't remember for the life of me what breed it was over. That's not the point though now is it? The point is that it happened again.
Interesting.
So the other day I am happily grooming my day away when one of the FDG's comes in. A client was out front and not happy with the pricing. The FDG's explained, to no avail, that the bath price was different with the grooming price and the client simply did not understand what they were saying. Not only that, they were insisting they speak directly to me. Not a problem fair ladies, let me get my spandex and cape and I'll be right out.
I am met by a man holding an Old English Sheepdog (love this dog, she's so cool) with one hand, and a cell phone with the other. He hands me the phone and tells me his wife would like to speak with me. Using other people's phones is kind of weird but okay, I'm in. Once I tell her who I am, she starts telling me she was quoted $40 for the bath and $60 for the grooming but now the FDG's are telling her $70 for the grooming. I tell her the price they are giving her is still low, but please go on. I'm willing to be patient with this woman. She's obviously a nice woman, but confused nonetheless, and clearly sick of dealing with snarky chicks that say the same thing over and over but word it differently every time all the while acting like she is the crazy/stupid one. Sister, I offer you strength (and a loaded gun, you know the right thing to do).
We were getting nowhere and she was starting to get impatient. As this is showing to be a frequent client of mine who isn't going to be a complete cunt whore bitch, I want to keep her. I tell her to please, start at the very beginning so I might unravel this web of lies once and for all. She complies.
She had come in with her Old English Sheepdog a while back asking for prices. The FDG's opened the menu to check for the correct estimate. There's that word again. I'm no fool. I list base prices. That way if your dog decides to freak out and act like a complete fucking psycho OR if I have to do a lot of dematting, I can easily raise the price and not get heat about lying about the total. Digression is a sneaky little fellow. So they open the menu and !GASP! Old English Sheepdog isn't on it. Because they removed it. Because it never ever comes in. They figure the next best option is to find a breed like it.
Before I continue, just in case you don't know, here is a picture of an Old English Sheepdog. I have no clue who the people are, but they are proving their weight in gold by being excellent size references. Ooo! And look at the pretty ribbons that crowd stopper has won them! My girl has a little less hair, but still, it's a lot of hair.
They find a dog who's breed ends in "sheepdog". Oh my! How lucky! That's what Old English Sheepdog ends in! That must be the perfect pick. Phew! That was close! Oh wait, do you smell that? That's what sarcasm and bitterness reek of.
The woman on the phone informs me that she doesn't even know what a Shetland Sheepdog is. And therein lies our confusion. The one breed group that you should never ever compare for pricing is the herding group. It seriously runs the whole spectrum in regards to things like hair type, size, temperament, etc.
Again, before we move on, just in case you also don't know what a Shetland Sheepdog is, I found a nicely taken photo of one for you. Again, the strangers are going to give you a size reference:
Can you see where there might be a teeny tiny issue when pricing out this dog as opposed to the other? Yeah. Me too.
After it's all said and done, I agree to groom the dog for $10 under the price because well, it wasn't her fault and she's there every month. It'll all work itself out through frequency. I then tell one of the FDG's that I would like the menu restored to it's original set up because it will stop the above from happening. She gives me that look. You know the one. Eyebrows raised, head to the side, lips pursed? The look that says they have been grievously (not to mention very personally) slighted and communication is at a standstill because it's not being discussed because she'd rather not talk to a complete fucking asshole. Oh yeah, and you're the asshole. If you're a guy, you know what I am talking about. If not, tell your GF you promise to do something and then just don't do it. Then try to sleep with her the same night you blew off the promise. That look. Although they might modify it by turning their eyes into slits instead of raising the brows. Depends on how much of an asshole they think you are.
Anyway, I think fuck this and go back to grooming. I know they just don't want to make another menu. Later I tell the boss I might have offended the FDG's and as much as I want to care to care about their emotional well being, I care more about them getting grooming details right. Money especially so we are going back to the original menu. He said to send it along so we could print it at Staples which just happens to be right next store.
All's well that ends well.
I guess the moral of the story is that even though you might think it's you, it's more likely them because you thought this through and have a viable solution. Oh yeah, and you're smarter.
No seriously, blogging is proving to be very therapeutic.
1 comment:
such a funny story. Good for you getting the original menu put back in place. You did the right thing.
Post a Comment