View Full Version : Dropping Clients?
timperry
05-29-2008, 04:40 PM
For those of you who have ever dropped clients, what were your reasons?
EMISGOD
05-29-2008, 05:17 PM
For those of you who have ever dropped clients, what were your reasons?
) Non-renewal/expiration of contract/non-payment of sessions.
) More than one no-show (ever) without sufficient excuse/prior arrangement.
) More than three times excessive tardiness during duration of existing contract.
) Failure to follow directives/lack of effort.
hublife
05-30-2008, 05:43 AM
) Non-renewal/expiration of contract/non-payment of sessions.
) More than one no-show (ever) without sufficient excuse/prior arrangement.
) More than three times excessive tardiness during duration of existing contract.
) Failure to follow directives/lack of effort.
Thats pretty much all of them. I've never dropped someone for anything other than a lack of commitment which all of the above indicate.
jules_d1
05-30-2008, 05:46 AM
Has anyone ever dropped clients when they were not financially secure?
Has anyone ever dropped clients when they were not financially secure?
yea plenty lol
i chose to be a PT because I enjoyed it, not for the money. If I can't work w/ someone, I don't.
EMISGOD
05-30-2008, 07:14 PM
Has anyone ever dropped clients when they were not financially secure?
I didn't run their credit history. Payment was always upfront, which alleviated any issues therein...
srt33
05-31-2008, 09:53 AM
getting hit on and getting a phone number by one of my ex 250 lb clients, course it couldnt be an attractive one
jules_d1
05-31-2008, 04:42 PM
I didn't run their credit history. Payment was always upfront, which alleviated any issues therein...
no i mean you as a trainer not financially secure
mydamnself
05-31-2008, 07:03 PM
The main reason I've dropped clients is lack of commitment or a bad match. I've seen trainers who will keep training someone who isn't comitted for the money, but you have to remember that this person will then say to people "Oh, I've been training with so and so for a year." If that person is an overweight mess, it looks really bad for you."
As far as financially I've scaled down my rates for some clients when they hit rough patches because I knew they would bounce back and make it up to me. I want clients for years, not a few months.
I've also dropped clients if they just weren't going to get what they wanted from me. I specialize in postural and movement pattern correction, functional strength and endurance. I've had clients say after a few sessions that they want "Biceps out to here!" with a hand motion of course, or bigger pecs. That's not my gig, so I refer them out. You don't want to start off a bad relationship, and that's just what it is, a relationship. Except you get paid, sort of like a hooker.
KenKash
06-02-2008, 11:28 AM
Poor personality matches, or in this case, mis-matches. I've found that even if you hate someone, you can still be professional and profitable. I have, for lack of a better term, "sold" clients to other trainers.
Explain to the client that you want them to look forward to the sessions and if they don't, they won't accomplish their goals.
Tell the client you have a trainer in mind that would be better suited for their specific needs, demands, or whatever.
Set up an agreed contract (# sessions, price per, etc.)
Contact a peer, tell them you don't have time for a client but they have agreed to pay X dollars for X sessions.
Have that trainer provide you with what I call a "lead buy."
This way, the 3rd person trainer makes money from the client. You make money from the 3rd person trainer, and the client continues to work towards being healthy.
For one, everyone pays up front. I'm not into pay as you go, because those people are typically flakey, and i don't have time in my schedule for it, but then there are clients who do pay up front and flake out
Basically, if the client is not committed, then i am not committed.
I just dropped a client last week, because she is a major flake. She was at 4x a week, and i was lucky to see her 1x a week. She used every excuse in the book, and i have heard them all. I dropped her when she text me to cancel her workout appt, to go to her hair appt.
Apparently her hair is more important than her body comp. She's 28 5'4" 260lbs
nickmanzoni
06-02-2008, 01:10 PM
Poor personality matches, or in this case, mis-matches. I've found that even if you hate someone, you can still be professional and profitable. I have, for lack of a better term, "sold" clients to other trainers.
Explain to the client that you want them to look forward to the sessions and if they don't, they won't accomplish their goals.
Tell the client you have a trainer in mind that would be better suited for their specific needs, demands, or whatever.
Set up an agreed contract (# sessions, price per, etc.)
Contact a peer, tell them you don't have time for a client but they have agreed to pay X dollars for X sessions.
Have that trainer provide you with what I call a "lead buy."
This way, the 3rd person trainer makes money from the client. You make money from the 3rd person trainer, and the client continues to work towards being healthy.
I wouldn't call it bait and switch, but essentially....
But great advice. I wish I could "lead sell", but I don't think I could live with myself.
EMISGOD
06-02-2008, 04:12 PM
no i mean you as a trainer not financially secure
Expand on this? Are you asking if I ever dropped anyone because I was broke? :confused:
nickmanzoni
06-02-2008, 05:43 PM
Expand on this? Are you asking if I ever dropped anyone because I was broke? :confused:
More like in SPITE OF being broke.
EMISGOD
06-02-2008, 05:53 PM
Has anyone ever dropped clients when they were not financially secure?
yea plenty lol
i chose to be a PT because I enjoyed it, not for the money. If I can't work w/ someone, I don't.
I didn't run their credit history. Payment was always upfront, which alleviated any issues therein...
no i mean you as a trainer not financially secure
Expand on this? Are you asking if I ever dropped anyone because I was broke? :confused:
More like in SPITE OF being broke.
Holy ****, someone just re-ask me the goddamn question in a way that makes actual sense before I get anymore confused... :o :D
nickmanzoni
06-02-2008, 05:57 PM
The question at hand is:
Have you ever had an occasion to drop a client, regardless of your personal finances? (YOU being secure or broke) AND WHY?
craze4muscle
06-02-2008, 06:22 PM
I once had a client who expected to get free training sessions because we were now "friends" It might sound vile, but if the client is happy, despite a lack of effort or lack of following directives, I really don't mind. As long as they show up on time and pay on time. Of course those who are eager to get results I put more energy into them...
EMISGOD
06-02-2008, 06:39 PM
The question at hand is:
Have you ever had an occasion to drop a client, regardless of your personal finances? (YOU being secure or broke) AND WHY?
Ah, thanks for clearing that up. :)
All my decisions regarding training persons were made without regard to my own personal financial situation. As to the why part of it, I did not believe my own financial situation had any bearing on training other people and so did not factor into my decisions thereof.