03/25/2024
I see many people complain about the cost of haircuts and dog grooming. Understandable with how prices of things gone up, but things has gone up for them as well.
I service hair cutters and groomers, and know how expensive their tools and supplies are. Scissors, shears, and clipper blades has to be sharpened on a regular basis, and the supplies they use need to be replenished. On top of that they rent a small space at a high rent, education costs, taxes to pay, etc… This does not include the costs for training and continuing education.
Now no matter how busy they are, there is a limited amount of clients they can serve a day, so it is limited income potential. It takes time to do a good cut.
Now whatever they charge is not what they keep, a lot of expenses takes a bite from it. They have to look at their business expenses, how many clients they can do a day, and how much they need to make to get a decent paycheck to pay their bills like everyone else.
Now that is the financial costs. Cutting hair and grooming dogs is hard on the body. They are on their feet all day standing in unnatural positions so they can cut. Hair cutters and groomers have to deal with back pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain, and they are high risk for carpal tunnel.
It is not cheap to cut hair or groom dogs, and just like you they still need to make a good paycheck. I have seen cutters hold off raising prices, which cost them money, and when they did they tried to keep it minimal.
Small business owners in general is suffering the effects of this economy. Our cost of living has gone up just like everyone else, however our business costs has gone up as well. Many of us have tried to minimize our price changes, which means lower take home pay. Yes you might be paying more today for a haircut or a groom, however these cutters are trying to scratch out a living just like everyone else, and doing everything they can to keep prices low.
On the Edge Sharpening & Cutlery