BO Charging You to Clip Her Client's Horses?

[Staish14]

I ran across what I think is a unique situation. I offer body clipping services and contacted a few barns in the area to see if they need any horses clipped. One of the barn owners wants me to pay her $20 for every horse that I clip on her property. So if I charge the client $150 for a full body clip, I only make $130 because I have to give that $20 to the barn owner.

I've never had this happen before. Does anyone else think this is strange? :confused: I'm not sure how to react. I don't want to stiff the client and increase my rates to get my full profit (and that would probably also hurt my business). Should I roll with it? Tell the BO "no way"? Try to compromise and say I'll give her $10 per horse or something?

Thanks for the thoughts!

[Sansena]

I'd go the way of compromise to $10, because I can theoretically see; you're using her electric, occupying barn space BO might need, etc.

However, I wouldnt' compromise beyond that.

Is it possible that the BO herself offers this service and feels you're taking money out of her pocket? If so, let her do the work and *you* go to the facility that won't nickle and dime you.

[BuddyRoo]

Does the BO offer the service as well?

If BO offers a competing service I can MAYBE see it...but generally...no. What? They charge extra to have a vet, farrier, chiro or MT out too?

[Bravestrom]

I think you have to look at it from a different perspective.

Who's space are you using to clip the horse, electricity and also clean up. Does the BO have to be there or is the owner there when clipping.

just a different view - if the horse owner isn't there I think the BO should charge the owner of the horse as well.

But then again, I clip my own so I don't have to pay someone else.

[CanTango1]

I understand what she is doing, weather I think its fair ?? Toss up... But it could very well be worth it... Depending on the size of the barn ... if she has 1-5 horses ?? Not so Much .. But if she can give you a client base of 5+ ..absolutly I would pay.

I would work it out... if she cant give you 5 or more horses I would look else where.

[kellyb]

I see where she is coming from (you're using her electricity, aisle, etc).

I think $10 per horse is fair...$20 is outrageous imo.

[Curb Appeal]

I used to have a clipping service. I think $10 to the BO is reasonable, $20 is not. If the owner in not going to be there and the BO has to catch and hold, then the additional fee for that should be billed to the client, not you.

[Giddy-up]

It's sort of like when a horse sells & everybody sticks their finger in the pot for a piece. Clipping, braiding, etc...

[coloredhorse]

Do you have many clients at this barn? Is the BO helping to steer business to you? Could she? If that is the case, I might "counter-offer" the following: If BO signs up several horses for your service, you will pay her a finders-fee-type commission, a small percentage of your total fees for this barn. If you do not charge separately for mileage, I would also back out travel costs from that total on which her fee is based. I know a few farriers who successfully use this formula for larger barns they service.

Also using a farrier model, you could propose to the BO that she arrange your clipping services and then she charge her clients directly whatever fee she feels is fair compensation for middle-manning the clipping.

Option Number Three (and this is my rather snarky side coming out): Accept the BO's conditions, and present each client with an itemized bill. $150 for your services plus a $20 facility fee to their BO.

[Jumphigh83]

See if Macys Bloomies etc would let you sell your stuff in a booth in THEIR store for nothing. Probably not. Ship the horses to your place and then clip them. Not unreasonable for barn owner to get paid a vendors fee from you...at the horse shows the tack shops pay to park there...You are in their barn on their time using their electric and space and crossties....But I am seeing it from a barn owners perspective.:yes:

[Luckydonkey]

I see it no different than having the vet, farrier, saddle fitter, etc out to see the horse.. Does the BO charge these people a fee to come? The boarders are already paying for the use of the cross ties, aisle way, electric, etc... what if 5 boarders decide to clip their own horses? Would the BO charge them extra for that? I doubt it. I agree with the person who said to bill the clients the extra $20 for the facility fee....

[horsegirl123]

If it is a big barn I know they charge an additional fee for holding your horse for the farrier and vet. I have not heard of charging for clipping someone's horse but $20.00 seems high. I realize it takes electricity but I would think that would be covered under board especially if they don't charge the boarder this fee for clipping their own horse.

Maybe this barn already offers this service so by chargin you a fee it makes their fees more reasonable. If this is the case you have a couple of options
1-work with the BO and negotiate the fee
2-state your fee and add a disclaimer that this does not include any fee that the barn may charge for my services. Make sure the client understands if the barn charges a fee they would be responsible to pay that directly to the BO. It takes you out of the middle.

Good luck either way

[justdandy]

That's total BS! As others have stated, the boarder is already paying for the use of the facility. If BO wants/needs extra cash and doesn't want an outside person coming in to clip, then BO should do the clipping. Another "scheme" to make money for doing nothing. Go ahead and flame me if you want. All of these little "fees" are starting to get a bit ridiculous, IMHO!!!

I just clipped at a pretty decent sized barn on Saturday and I didn't have to pay the BO anything. And I'm clipping at another big barn next weekend and I won't have to pay the BO a fee.

[talkofthetown]

Well, not the exact same situation, but a barn I boarded at YEARS ago required all the horses to be body clipped, but you weren't allowed to do it. You were required to pay BO (technically trainer, not BO) to clip for you.

Brilliant idea, I wonder if I could get away with that...:rolleyes: Needless to say, I no longer board there.

[MissintheSouth]

I have seen fees added to the end client if the client isn't there and the BO has to hold the horse, give horse it's pre-clip bath or help administer sedatives.

But then again, every barn where I have seen outside clippers come in, there was ample room for them to clip without interfering with the daily barn operations. And the BO didn't offer the service. She did heavily encourage all the boarders to use the SAME clipper person, since the BO knew her and was comfortable with her on the property handling many of the nicer show horses. But if you chose to have someone else come out, she wouldn't forbid it.

But I never heard of the BO taking the fee from the clipper.

[LuvMyNSH]

That's total BS! As others have stated, the boarder is already paying for the use of the facility.


That's how I see it. Does the BO also charge the farrier and vet to come in? They take up space and sometimes need to plug things in too.

Hmmm...maybe I should see if my farrier will take $20 off per horse every time he needs to use an outlet. I bet that'd go over real well. :lol: