This Isn’t a Side Gig: Why Haggling With Your Groomer Hurts More Than You Know

Roman's Empire • May 24, 2025

“Can You Do It for Less?”

Let’s talk about it.


Because we hear it more often than you’d think—from “price match” requests to “what can you do for $60?” and the classic “but it only takes an hour.”


You wouldn’t ask your hairstylist for a discount because you found scissors on Amazon. You wouldn’t haggle with your chiropractor because someone on TikTok can pop a back.


And yet, in grooming—a skilled profession that deals with living, moving, emotionally sensitive animals—discount-hunting is still weirdly common.


Let’s break down why it’s not okay—and how it actually hurts the people and pets involved.


Grooming Is a Profession. Not a Hobby. Not a Favor. Not a Side Hustle.

At Roman’s Empire, we aren’t “just playing with dogs.”


 We are highly trained professionals with extensive experience in:

  • Canine and feline anatomy, coat types, and breed-specific standards
  • Skin and coat health, sanitation, and safety protocols
  • Equipment maintenance, handling, and safety techniques
  • Reading canine and feline behavior and stress signals in real time
  • Injury prevention, behavioral desensitization, and first aid
  • Complex logistics like routing, fuel, equipment upkeep, insurance, and scheduling


This job takes thousands of hours and thousands of dollars to learn and a lifetime to master.


We don’t undercharge because we don’t cut corners.


And we don’t accept haggling because your pet’s well-being isn’t negotiable.


What You’re Really Asking When You Ask for a Discount

When someone asks a professional groomer to lower their price, even politely, it unintentionally sends the message:
“I don’t value your time, training, or your need to survive financially.”


We understand that people often don’t mean it that way. But here’s what we ask instead:

Please consider what you’re truly paying for.
Because you’re not just paying for a haircut.


You’re paying for:

  • Gentle, safe, one-on-one handling
  • A clean, climate-controlled mobile environment
  • High-end equipment and products tailored to your pet’s needs
  • Physical and emotional labor that prevents trauma and injury
  • The ability to recognize infections, lumps, or changes before they become emergencies
  • The guarantee that your pet isn’t being rushed, mishandled, or ignored


Explore What Professional Grooming Actually Involves

And Why Cheap Grooming Isn’t a Bargain


Let’s Talk About the “Other Guy Who Charges Less”

That’s fine. They exist. So do:

  • Mechanics who leave bolts loose
  • Nail techs who use unsterilized tools
  • Daycares that ignore crying children


Cheaper isn’t just cheaper. It’s a risk.
And in grooming, that risk gets passed onto your dog or cat.


I’ve seen pets with burns from dull blades, skin infections from reused towels, sprains from improper handling, trauma that takes months to undo, and more.


When you pay more at Roman’s Empire, you’re investing in peace of mind.


This Is a Luxury Service, But Not Because It’s Optional

Yes, mobile grooming is a luxury in terms of convenience, comfort, and individualized care. But it’s not optional in the way luxury shoes are.


Grooming is essential hygiene and healthcare maintenance. When done properly and consistently, it prevents:

  • Matting, which causes skin wounds, bruising, and pain
  • Overgrown nails that deform paw structure and gait
  • Yeast infections, ear conditions, hot spots, flea infestations
  • Behavioral deterioration from fear, aggression, and trauma buildup


We don’t upcharge just to make a living. We charge what’s required to groom ethically.


Think a shave is a shortcut?  Explore the skill and prep required.


See Why At-Home Grooming Doesn’t Compare to Professional Grooming


When Haggling Hurts More Than Just the Groomer: It Harms Your Pet

One of the most overlooked consequences of haggling isn’t just the insult to a professional’s skill or the blow to their livelihood—it’s the harm it can cause to your own pet.


When you pressure a groomer to lower their prices, it often puts them in a lose-lose situation:

  • Lose the client, or
  • Cut corners to meet the unrealistic price expectation.


And unfortunately, many groomers—especially newer ones trying to build a business—will cave to the pressure just to keep the appointment. This is where the real damage begins.


When a groomer is forced to lower their rate, something has to give—and it’s usually time, safety, or quality. Your dog may get:

  • rushed bath with poor product coverage
  • Incomplete drying, which can lead to hot spots, skin infections, or matting
  • Improper brushing, which increases the risk of brush burn or missed tangles
  • Over-handling, if the groomer has to hurry and your pet isn't comfortable with the pace
  • No breaks or calming time, which increases stress, fear, and the chance of bites or injury
  • Skipped essential services such as nail trimming


These shortcuts don’t just impact results—they impact your pet’s emotional and physical well-being. Pets remember rough handling. They associate the groom with fear, pain, or confusion. What started as a way to “save a little money” can quickly turn into a lifetime of grooming anxiety, fear-based aggression, or even injury.


At Roman’s Empire, we refuse to play that game.


We will never cut corners to win business. Your dog deserves safe, thorough, unrushed care, not a discounted rush job. That’s why our pricing reflects the time, product quality, equipment, training, and personalized handling each pet requires.


When you pay a fair, transparent rate, you aren’t just investing in a groom—you’re investing in your pet’s health, comfort, and trust in human touch.


But What If I’m on a Budget?

We understand that not every household has unlimited income. And we do want to be fair.


That’s why we offer:

  • 10% off for first-time clients
  • 10% off when you refer a friend
  • And a flexible approach to scheduling to help reduce cost via maintenance


But asking for a discount outside of those systems compromises the entire model that allows us to do quality work—safely, legally, and with integrity.


The Hidden Toll of Haggling

When a small business owner accepts less than their rate, they don’t just lose money. They:

  • Fall behind on vet bills, car repairs, licensing, insurance
  • Skip their own self-care (massage, therapy, breaks)
  • Become burnt out, disheartened, and more likely to leave the profession altogether

    Explore:
     Why Prices Vary and Why That Matters


Let’s Respect the Work—and the Workers

You tip your hairstylist. You schedule routine appointments with your dentist. You don’t expect your therapist to give you a sliding scale just because someone on Instagram offers free advice.


This is no different.
At Roman’s Empire, our prices are clear. Our work is transparent. And our love for your pet is real.


But love isn’t enough to cover:

  • Business insurance
  • Annual commercial registration
  • High-end shampoos and conditioners
  • Fuel and van maintenance
  • Continued education and license renewals
  • And the emotional and physical labor this job requires daily


Why We’re All-Inclusive—and Always Will Be

At Roman’s Empire, every service we offer is all-inclusive for a reason:

We don’t believe in tiered care. We don’t believe some pets deserve more attention than others because their guardian can pay more. And we definitely don’t believe in charging separately for essential services like nail trimming, ear cleaning, or thorough coat prep.

Because grooming isn’t just a beauty routine—it’s healthcare. And half-done healthcare is harmful.


We include everything your pet needs because cutting corners can cause:

  • Yeast infections from uncleaned ears
  • Joint and posture issues from overgrown nails
  • Skin conditions from poor prep, product use, or drying technique
  • Behavioral decline from rushed or incomplete handling
  • Skipping steps to “make it cheaper” isn’t a kindness—it’s a setup for long-term problems that cost even more to fix.


Why This Business Was Born

This isn’t just a company. It’s a calling that came from love.


Roman’s Empire was created in honor of Roman, our own beloved dog, with one core belief:

Every pet should be treated with the same care, quality, gentleness, and dignity we give our own.

That’s not a marketing line—it’s our standard.
We built this business to offer the high-level care we wished was easier to find:

  • Calm, trauma-informed handling
  • Quality over quantity, always
  • One-on-one service with zero distractions
  • No add-ons. No “economy grooms.” No rushing.


We don’t separate love from labor. We don’t separate services from standards.
And that’s exactly why we 
don’t remove anything to meet a budget price.


If that means we’re not the cheapest—so be it.
We’re here to be the 
best, not the most “affordable,” because your pet deserves Roman-level care. Nothing less.


Final Word: A Boundary from Love

We will never guilt, manipulate, or pressure you into booking.


We will never shame you for choosing another groomer.


We will never compete to earn your business; we offered specialized care above the rest.


We will hold firm in what we charge—because we know exactly what it costs to provide the standard of care we stand by.


And your pet deserves that.


Ready For Regality?

Looking for a groomer who values integrity, expertise, and your pet’s true well-being?

Book with Roman’s Empire today—and experience grooming that’s truly fit for royalty.


Serving: Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park, Moorpark, and Simi Valley.


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