Personal Care For Professional Use

Posted: July 25, 2007

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C&T: What’s the “sampling” expense about?
Clarice: I buy a lot of samples from the company. They’re technically travel sizes, so they’re like 1 oz containers that will last somebody almost 2 weeks; they’re recloseable; they’re not individual pouches. So someone comes in; I might recommend Product A to use over the next few weeks to follow up what I’ve done/used in the facial. They might have a product at home that technically is a good product, but it won’t give them the same results they told you they’re looking for. So at that point I’ll give them the sample, and say “I want you to try this. Give it 2 weeks. Come back. We do a consultation to see how it’s working.” I have to pay for those samples. Some are not cheap. Some companies give them to the salon, if that cost is part of the company’s marketing plan. But YG doesn’t include that cost in their marketing. For branded lines – a line that has your name on it – the spa owner has to pay for samples and do the marketing. YG gives us quality products, but it’s up to us to do the marketing. Most of the companies that give the samples are giving pillow packs, so it’s a one-time use. For my customers I need something for longer-term use.