American Farriers Journal
American Farriers Journal is the “hands-on” magazine for professional farriers, equine veterinarians and horse care product and service buyers.
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Don't Cheat Yourself
How to bury your shoeing trip charge
What's wrong with these scenarios?
Number 1
You make an appointment to shoe six horses at your going rate, but when you arrive, only three are available. You would have made money shoeing six, but with only three, your profit is eaten up by the cost of driving to the barn.
Number 2
Your receipt includes a trip charge to protect you from being out of pocket on long trips. You encourage customers to get together so they can split the charge. Then one customer doesn’t show up for the appointment. You’re too embarrassed to charge the other customer for the whole trip charge because you’d told him on the phone that each customer would pay only half the amount.
What do you do?
- Get mad at the customer who missed
- Get rid of both customers so you don’t have to worry about splitting a trip charge
- Get mad at yourself for suggesting that the two customers get together
- Crawl home with your tail between your legs, reminding yourself that you can’t count your nails until they’ve been clinched
Number 3
Customers with one or two horses keep calling you and you know it’s not worth your time to do the shoeing. Maybe you come right out and say, “You don’t have enough work for me.” Maybe you weasel your way out, with “I’m too busy,” or “You’ll have to wait 3 months.” Maybe you take the unprofessional way out and simply don’t return the phone call.
The Problem
Basically…
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