Finding a new groomer!

[CJ0374]

My current one is moving. I called 3 who aren't taking on new dogs.
One 'mobile groomer' who said she showers the dog inside my own bathroom then clips inside my house!

Another has a mobile van. She wanted photos of my dog, age, breed, weight, how often she gets brushed and multiple other questions which felt a bit like an interview. Her price was double what I currently pay and came to £61.59 exactly!
Just need a rant as didn't think it would be so hard to find another.

Gosh yes it can be brutal finding a new groomer. I've had to do that twice as one went on mat leave for a year and then another decided to give up her business so both times you had to act like lightning to get on the books of another place (poodle owner here so it's a necessity). One lady who I contacted wanted to charge £50 but I had to wash and dry the dog myself before dropping her off! 😂 That was a firm no. Luckily though, here in SE London, there are a good few around.

Our terrier needs stripping every few months. We went to a lovely one who charged way too little and did a lovely job. She’s just retired and I gave up trying to find another after many many emails and messages. So I had a crash course from another terrier owner and am doing it myself. Turns out it’s super easy. Most dog people I know do their own.

Our local FB grooming business pages are full of dogs quite honestly that don’t need grooming but seem to go for a shampoo and set for what of a better phrase! So my theory is groomers want to take those instead. It’s very hard to find the more skilled groomers.

Ours is a small poodle X. I do already trim her face and nails between cuts and wash her feet/legs most days due to mud in the garden. I'd happily do a grooming course, but everything I've seen is to do it as a profession- not just trim 1 breed.

Where are you located OP? Perhaps people can PM you if they know.

Dog groomer here 👋
The mobile-in-van groomers do tend to be a touch more expensive as they oftten can't do as many grooms per day as us static groomers can, given how much time they spend travelling between appointments so the money needs to be made up somewhere.

Im sure you've already asked friends/ family but also try fellow dog walkers for recommendations.
So many of my clients found me by asking pre-existing clients they met out and about where they got their dogs groomed and were given my details that way.
They'd likely not have found me otherwise as I groom from my home, haven't advertised in years and rely purely on word of mouth recommendations these days when I do have space for newbies.

@PowderPuffGirl Thank you. I was thinking that having a van means no shop rent, but I can understand they can't groom as many in a day. I was just surprised that I was quoted double my regular price from a mobile groomer! I have asked dog walkers we know, but the groomers they go to aren't taking on new clients.

You could also try searching here:

https://www.thegroomersspotlight.com/owners?homepage=user

Not all groomers are on there as we're an unregulated industry with no main governing body that you'd be required to sign up to and they charge a crazy fee to join but you may find someone local to you that you've not yet tried, so worth a go😊

Definitely go through word of mouth. There are a couple around here who I would never touch after talking to other dog owners and some, like the PP, who never need to advertise as their happy customers are only too happy to tell others about the good service

@PowderPuffGirl thank you
@CadyEastman That is the problem. Every friend/dog walker we know, we've called their recommended groomer but they aren't taking on new dogs. I had the same issue 2 yrs ago when I got the dog, so think its just a shortage in this area of the SE.