Debate: Should we charge for patch tests or just eat the cost?

Had a client last week come in for a color correction, did the patch test 48 hours before like always. She no-showed and I was out that $15 worth of product and 20 minutes of my time. I've always just absorbed patch test costs as part of the service, but now I'm wondering if I should start charging a small fee upfront. On the other hand, that might scare off new clients who already think we're expensive. What do you guys do in your salons?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor_patel17d ago

And here I was thinking the most expensive part of a patch test was the therapist I needed after a no-show, not the developer. Seriously though, at $15 a pop maybe we should start putting a tiny tracker on those tubes so we know where they end up.

the_wesley17d ago

$15 for a patch test product? Dang, what kind of color are you using that costs that much?

wood.uma17d ago

Actually patch tests are usually about the developer and the mixing ratio, not just the color itself. A lot of stylists charge $15-$20 to cover the cost of the product plus their time for the strand test and the 48 hour wait. Some colors like Redken or Wella can run $8-$12 for a single tube of shade, and the developer adds another few bucks. Plus you're paying for the professional's expertise in reading the results correctly, not just the dab of color on your arm.