Can i cover rmyself legally..........

[Shelley]

I own a salon and have been approached by a (rival) salon. The owner has aked to rent a chair off me and be self employed (as the lease has expired on her salon).
Is there anyway i can protect my salon if i decided to let her come and work with me and things didnt work out. I may just be being over cautious, but have spent 3 years building my salon to just how i want it. And not sure if having her here is going to be risky. (Dont want her pinching clients and looking at records card )
She is desperate to rent a chairwith me as we are only 2 mins away from her salon and her clients will still follow her here.

Is there any advice??? Hope i have explained well enough....

 

[Astaroth]

Whilst I am sure it would be very nice of you to do what she is asking are you sure you want a competitor inside your own premises? No matter how much you cover yourself legally you cannot physically stop someone from reading customer cards etc.

Whilst it may seem harsh personally I would see a rival local company closing down as an ideal opportunity to increase my own client base either by directly talking their previous clients who want the convenience of the area or passing trade who no longer have a choice (or at least less choice)

 

[gordonthegofor]

Looking at this from outside this business field. I would view it as possible bringing you more periferal business ie do you do Nails, etc. One hairdresser can only service a certain number of clients, and would presume that she/he will be bringing their existing customers with them. Do you actually know how good this person is? This would also depend on whether you both have the same or different customer profile. ie young trendy or more senior customers. Could you and this person actually work along side each other?

 

[Ozzy]

Gordon shares the same view I have. The other person could actually bring you more business by their own clients following him/her to your salon. If she was too busy to service one of her clients then one of your people could do it. That person then may prefer the service your person provides and switch allegance

You get the extra income from the rented chair also, and you two could end up working together boosting business overall - maybe...

There is a risk, and it is up to you whether you are prepared to take the risk. If it was me I would probably do it, but I'm not you and I don't know your business at all.

Weigh up the pro's and con's, and also have a chat with this person and explain your conerns and see what their response is, see if it reassures you or not.

 

[fastfences]

Hi Shelley,
Here I go with another of my controversial views from 'the other side.'

Your rival owner would have known for ages that her lease was to expire. Do you know why she hasn't renewed, or taken steps to find another premise? Have you shared a reasonable competitor relationship with her?

There's a distinct possibility that she'll use you up until something better comes along and then she'll be gone, armed with the info of how your biz runs.

I'd tell her thanks, but no thanks. If you need help you can start someone who want to devote their career to their employer, not themselves.
Cheers, Nigel

 

[Jayne]

When I worked for a large chemical firm, I had to sign a secrecy document, that said I would be sued if I gave out company info', both while I worked there and after I left.

Personally, I wouldn't let her near my shop, I recon she's up to something. On this occasion I agree with Nigel.

Jayne

 

[Shelley]

thanks everyone.............very mixed opionions.
Ive decided to take her on(month trial) but have something drawn up to say exactly whats expected.
Her lease expired and they didnt renew, its only a private arrangement and she only has to be given months notice....
She is looking for another salon but about 4/5 miles away....so im seeing this as a good thing and yes we do do nails and other treatments, so its all a bonus.(soextra customers for that also)
I think that as long as i cover myself exactly , and rent is paid in advance, and both of us know the score everything should be ok....... I hope. Its taken me a week to make my decision, so i realy hope im making the right one.
So hopeully i wont be posting this time next month with HELP...........

Cheers to everyone that posted, much appreciated..

 

[gordonthegofor]

good luck