On Friday, I went to the mall to get my hair cut. When I got to my appointment, my stylist ("Dan", the one I switched to and talked about in this post) was still working on someone. SEVENTEEN MINUTES LATER and it was finally my turn. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I make a hair appointment and I am left to sit and wait.
It just went downhill from there. "Dan" (using a fake name) was acting so odd. He was talking really inappropriately. Not sexual or anything, but just oversharing, you know what I mean? At one point he told me about a random hair he gets on his back that he has to pluck out. WHAT!!?? DON'T TELL ME THAT!
He also was telling me how he looked so much different in high school and showed me a picture on his phone from his senior prom. WTF? He was not like this last time!
Ultimately, I liked my haircut. However, it took an hour! It didn't take an hour the first time, and I had him do the exact same thing as before. He was just going so slow and stopped to talk a lot.
The whole time, I was wondering if the cheap price ($24) was worth all the aggravation. If I paid more somewhere, would my appointment start on time? Would my stylist not overshare? Would the haircut not last an hour?
Wait, it's not over yet. When it was time to pay, he charged me $32! I asked why it was $24 last time but $32 this time, even though it was the same cut. He said the salon prices went up (they "go up" every time I go there) and his stylist commission went up.
Why does it seem like, no matter where I go, the price of the hair cut or dye job changes, even if I get the exact same thing done!? I really hate the guessing game of "How much is my haircut going to cost this month?"
All I want is...
1. To know up front how much it will cost every. single. time.
2. To not have weird conversations with my stylist about back hair and senior proms.
3. To have my appointment start within 10 minutes of my scheduled time.
4. To ideally not pay more than $25 for a haircut (not including tip.)
Is that too much to ask??? Maybe.
Yike! The unknown increase in price would bother me. Did they even post that somewhere?
ReplyDeleteDo you have an Empire beauty school or some type of cosmetology school near you? We use to and I know people who would go get their hair trimmed there for really cheap because a student was doing it. Of course it was a senior student ready to graduate from the program and they would have the instructor there to check their work. That might be a good option for you since you always know what you want your cut to be.
I didn't notice the prices on the wall (I think they're there) but my stylist didn't tell me *his* price increased.
DeletePeople have mentioned beauty schools to me before. I always say I'm going to look into it and then I don't. I'm doing it RIGHT NOW. :)
I found one in Harrisburg and the prices are really cheap! I'm going to call and see what their hours are. I'd be fine with a student cutting my hair. It's so short anyway, if it got messed up, it would take like 2 weeks to grow out!
DeleteThe constantly changing price is really frustrating, and it's bizarre that they don't tell you up front, especially since you're a regular there. I guess it's good that the stylist commission went up but he really should have told you ahead of time so you could decide if you feel comfortable with that or not.
ReplyDeleteI'm also surprised "Dan" didn't pick up on your body language.I usually think of people in that industry as being good at judging body language just because they have to do it all day long, but as with any group of people some will be clueless, or maybe he was just having a high energy day? Will you go back and try one more time or are you looking for someone new?
Yeah, good for him that he is making more money (I thought $24 was really cheap to begin with) but I agree, tell me.
DeleteI try to be very polite, especially when people are being awkward and I get the feeling they can't help it. I think that comes from being a teacher. There's all kinds of kids who come into my room and stories I hear and the last thing I want to do is make someone feel bad, you know? (As long as they're not being rude.) But I just could not pretend to think his back hair story was interesting and slowly my answers became one word answers. He should have picked up.
I will def go someplace else. Mostly because my time is valuable. I could deal with weird conversation if my appt. started on time and my haircut took 30-40 min. But not a late appt start + 1 hour haircut. That's like nearly 1.5 hours of my life!!!
I hear ya! I am so overdue for a hair appointment but haven't gone because I hate how long it takes!!! It's getting to the point that I will soon have no choice though :D
DeleteYa the back hair story is disgusting. My stylist shares personal stories but usually ones meant to be entertaining since I have to be there for 3+ hours. I love hearing his dating stories and his family stories (he has 13 brothers and sisters which is like crazy to me as an only child!).
What do you get done that takes over 3 hours?
DeleteThey should you when you make the appointment if things have changed. My stylist is raising her prices, but she told me about it the last time I was in, before the raise kicked in. I have switched stylists in the past too when it took far too long for my hair cut. I want it washed and trimmed. It doesn't take an hour+ to do that.
ReplyDeleteThat seems very reasonable for your stylist to inform you of the price changes.
DeleteI'm with you on the cost of hair care! I never know how much my hair is going to cost, even though every time I go in it's the same thing - partial highlights. Sometimes it's $52 sometimes it's $60. I feel uncomfortable asking about the prices because I have seen the same lady forever. I think that's one of the reasons I hate going to the salon. I just want to know how much I'm going to pay and not feel awkward. Oh, especially when the person cashing me out asks if I'd like to add a tip, and how much, when my stylist is hanging out right there at the counter. Like I'm going to say "no tip"? ugh. Sorry about your visit. So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteWhy are we so afraid of speaking up? I was scared but I started asking. Not in a mean way. Ask next time when it is LESS than the time before. Then it doesn't ound critical. You can just be like, "Oh wow, it was 60 last time. Was is it only 52 today?
DeleteWow!! I don't like super chatty hairstylist, but I did learn that is a skill they have to practice while at beauty school.
ReplyDeleteI have a few questions, how often do you get a haircut? and what is the most you are willing to pay?
I have discovered that I pay exactly what I am getting... I used to go to JC Penney for haircuts, but every single time it was a different stylist, their stylist would not stay. And I was getting different haircuts every single time, and almost never good ones, and I dreaded getting my haircut. I pay a bit more, but it's always a good experience, and not once has my stylist showed me a picture of her prom or told me about weird hair growth.
I would LIKE to get it cut once a month. I do not want to pay more than $25. Do you think that is possible?
DeleteYou know what? When I was unhappy with my personal trainer, I got certified. Maybe I should just go to beauty school. :)
DeleteYou're getting a good deal. I switched to a barber shop to get a trim for my long hair (which cost me $70 minimum at my old salon) and I still feel that is too much for something I could basically attempt at home (I feel like short haircuts are "harder" to do than just trimming ends).
ReplyDeleteEither way, I am with you on your list: it all should be more transparent.
Yes I can see how trimming ends would be easier than a short haircut for sure.
DeleteI won't tell you what I pay for a haircut but I will tell you that it is worth it. I've had some really bad experiences over the years and I think you get what you pay for. Today I had my hair colored (I go every 4 weeks). The shampoo girl must have been new because it took her a half hour to wash my hair. My neck still hurts from the bowl. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteWhy won't you tell me!? :)
DeleteThe students cut it!? At your school? Or a beauty school?
ReplyDeleteThat appears to be excellent however i am still not too sure that I like it. At any rate will look far more into it and decide personally! face shave
ReplyDeleteNice blog.Thanks for posting this valuable information.It is really helpful in improving my hair salon.
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