Charging for that extra bowl of lightener is by no means a new concept. But did you know the colourcolor used that is not included in the price, and considered additional, is not charged? That’s why the Product Allowance setting in the Vish Dashboard is generating thousands of dollars in new revenue for salons that was previously being mixed, but not charged for. Let’s break down how it works and why it’s changed the salon pricing model for good.
Pricing: where it all begins
The three typical pricing models in the salon are:
- All-inclusive: Various services or techniques are set with standard prices and inclusions based on the set prices for each level of stylist in the salon.
- Parts & labourlabor: This model separates pricing into product costs and service costs and is typically charged on an hourly basis.
- Time-based pricing: An all-inclusive hourly rate that increases based on the experience and talent level of the stylist. The main differentiating factor here is that there is only one charge – time.
When using the parts and labourlabor model, your supply costs aren’t included in your service rate but instead passed straight on to your client. Vish does this automatically for you as you mix your colourcolorso you can skip the calculations at check out. But if you are using a time-based or all-inclusive model, your supply costs are built into your rate using an average. One thing any stylist can tell you is that their clients are often far from average, which is why they rely on Vish to automate the excess and create a transparent and precise method for charging beyond included colourcolor.
Charging for an extra bowl
Most salons charge a flat fee for an additional bowl fee that includes a standard amount of product in grams. One problem with this method is the bowl’s cost will vary based on what is mixed and how much, but the biggest problem is that it’s often forgotten at checkout.
The modern product charge method
What if there was a way to charge clients based on the exact amount of colourcolor applied, never a gram more, which promotes full transparency with clients, eliminates waste, and improves salon profitability? Say hello to Product Allowances.
A Product Allowance is the amount of product, whether it be colourcolor, developer, lightener, or treatment that is included in the service price. When the cost of the product used during the service exceeds the amount accounted for in the price, Vish triggers an extra product charge based on exactly how much additional product is used. The result? Additional costs are fairly passed to the client based on exactly what you need for them.
EXAMPLE: Product Allowance for a Partial Highlight


How the extra charge works
When the Product Allowance set for a service is exceeded, an extra charge is triggered and sent to Vish Front Desk app to be added to the total tab. In the following example, the client had longer hair than average, and more product was needed to achieve the desired result, generating an extra charge.
EXAMPLE: Building on the Partial Highlight example above with one extra scoop of product needed after initial Product Allowance


Because an additional $4.20 product was used beyond the initial Product Allowance, this amount will be added to the client’s total for the Partial Highlight service.
Already a Vish user and want to turn on the Product Allowance feature? Connect with your customer service representative and see how product allowances can pay off for you.
How a Product Allowance protects you
Service prices are set based on how much money is fair for not only your time but also the average amount of product a client will need for that service. When a client requires more than what was included, you begin to lose profit. In this way, Vish’s Product Allowance feature protects your value and the money you make on each service.
No confusion at the front desk
Thanks to the Vish Bluetooth scale, every drop of product used, to the tenth of a gram, will be captured in real-time and anything used beyond what is included in the set price is sent to the front desk to be added to the total itemized ticket.
The client can see the details and feel confident knowing that their service was priced accurately, promoting consistency at each appointment. The stylist can rest assured knowing that they didn’t forget to verbally convey the extra product charge to the reception and their client.
Retain and maintain profits
Learn more about how this Vish salon leveraged the Product Allowance feature to sustain profits and save thousands of dollars. You set the rules. Vish does the rest.