Every salon faces the issue of the fussy client. Some are more tolerable than others. There is the prima donna who mistakes herself for some celebrity A-lister the minute she walks through the door and then there is the client who simply wants to complain about every little thing for the sake of complaining. Either way, they don't seem to be happy no matter what you do. Other than letting your stomach turn, your blood boil, or call out sick that day, what is the stylist to do? Beauty professionals from all over the country weigh in as to how to handle the fussy client.

Jill Wiltberger writes, "Some of your worst clients can become your best... each one has to be handled differently. I learned that from my husband Kenneth (52 years in the industry). Everyone is an individual. Once you discover that a client is an ongoing lose-lose proposition, however, I agree that you need to send them on their way. Gently. I have long wanted to post a sign at the front of my salon (one I saw in another city in another salon) that reads something like, "Life is short. If you're not nice, don't come in." But I still haven't"

Christy Montoya writes, "I want to post a sign that says "Your lack of preparation does not constitute and emergency on part. Please be on time!"

While others are just down right colorful about it.

Beth Cooper writes, "If you are mean, hateful or bitchy, there will be an additional $20 charge for putting up with you"

David "The Haircolourist" Fabi writes, "The client that never seems to be happy about "this-that" is the same client that needs to be "fired" from coming to the salon. Understand, I've had clients like this, The whole week leading up to there appointment all you can think about Mrs. Soandso! She eats at your stomach and you can't get her out of your head. WTF is she going to bust my balls about this appointment about this time...The lil spoiled rotten client that won't stop from the moment that she walks in the door that MUST be told "I will no longer tolerate your "BS" and that salon (who you hate LoL!!!) across the street is more than happy to kiss your lilly while lil azz!! I have had a few of this "BS sence of intitlement clients" in my time, "Fired" them...
Yes you will run into these people at the supermarket, and the take-out pizzia shop, look them dead in the eye and say Well Mrs. Soandso how are you! I see you're sporting do-it yourself box colour! by the looks of the patches on the back of your head that are still gray much like the temples you missed too!!! LOL!!! Don't ever let a Mrs, Soandso tell you what to do, you'll be her lil bitch for life! It's not worth the money and heart-burn!"

 Check out more responses in the discussion group The Salon Client on SalonGalaxy.com