The guild and shame of not purchasing the "recommended" hair products....

[Anonymous]

I love my hair stylist. But her salon pressures her to sell the Kevin Murphy line of products at the salon I go to, and I just can't stand the products!! After long time use, the products don't work for me, and I don't care for the way the product line smells. I have been to her probably a half dozen times in the last year, and have leveled with her that I really don't like the line of products. Yet, when she's walking me out after my service, it's the sales pitch that I should get xyz.

It makes me feel awful to not be able to support her (because I know the pressure to sell these items is high for her). But I absolutely don't want to spend $50+ on any hair stuff!!

Last week, when she tried to talk me into some color preserving serum for my hair, I just about lost it. I don't want to change salons. How do most people deal with this? Should I complain to management, since this seems to be a bigger sales issue?

[Anonymous]

My salon also has Kevin Murphy and I just always say ‘My sister always gifts me shampoo and conditioner for our whole family so I don’t need any products, but thanks anyway.’ I always feel annoyed but she never tries to push me once I say no. Kevin Murphy is awful right?!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My salon also has Kevin Murphy and I just always say ‘My sister always gifts me shampoo and conditioner for our whole family so I don’t need any products, but thanks anyway.’ I always feel annoyed but she never tries to push me once I say no. Kevin Murphy is awful right?!!!

So awful!! I swear, I gave it the old college try. But the line has never worked out for me no matter which type of shampoo/condition/product I've tried from the line.

[Anonymous]

The older I get, the less bad I feel about declining that sort of stuff. I just smile and say, "no thanks, I already have some hair products that work for me." Sometimes I add something like "I'm old and I like to stick with what's familiar!"

I don't feel bad. I pay her for the service and I tip generously. I don't need to give in to the hard sell on products.

[Anonymous]

All you have to say is, "Thanks, I'm good for now."

[Anonymous]

Eh. The only salon brand I like is pureology. I find the rest of the brands I've been recommended by stylists are absolute crap.

[Anonymous]

Be honest. "I do not think these products are worth the money and I don't like the scent. I won't be buying them so please stop asking."

[Anonymous]

Be honest. "I do not think these products are worth the money and I don't like the scent. I won't be buying them so please stop asking."

She may be required to ask you if the store owner / manager is on the floor. Just decline politely.

[Anonymous]

Yes, just say "I don't need products today" and move along to check out. You don't need to tell her why, you don't need to explain yourself, just say "no thanks" and move along.

[Anonymous]

They’re not that pushy at my salon, but 75% of the time they ask if I need anything, and I almost always say I’m stocked up. If my stylist, who I am devoted to, really wants me to try something new he usually sells it to me at a discount (I get hair dryers at cost from him), and I oblige him by purchasing. The only other time I generally purchase anything is a boxed “gift” at the holidays, which includes shampoo, conditioner, and a discounted styling cream. The brand they push is Kerastase, and I really like it, but like all of the salon products it is wildly overpriced.

[Anonymous]

Such crap. I've been buying expensive products at my salon, tried Pantene yesterday. My hair looked and felt so much better!

[Anonymous]

Ugh, I feel your pain. I had a beloved hair stylist, who was also the part owner of the salon, and every time he'd push the products on me. I'd end up walking out paying $50 more than I expected.

My solution was circumstances, unrelated to the hard sell, caused me to change stylists, and I have someone who works out of her home and doesn't sell anything. It's wonderful! Which I know doesn't help OP and it's a tough spot to be in. You certainly could say something to management, but I'm assuming they're the ones who are pushing the hard sell. But I supposed they could have a choice between losing a regular customer or losing the sale of the products....

[Anonymous]

Guilt and shame? Really?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Be honest. "I do not think these products are worth the money and I don't like the scent. I won't be buying them so please stop asking."

She may be required to ask you if the store owner / manager is on the floor. Just decline politely.

This. It's the same issue with the retail chains that try to push you to apply for their cc and the discount that come with it. If they don't ask they risk being written up by management. Just keep saying "no thank you."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be honest. "I do not think these products are worth the money and I don't like the scent. I won't be buying them so please stop asking."

Another vote for honesty. And then add “please pass this customer feedback up the chain if you can. Maybe the manufacturers will take notice. See ya in 5 weeks!”