Anonymous wrote:OP, I am curious. Are you a salon owner? Or in the industry? Or connected to the industry? Are you someone who can make a difference?

No, I'm not an owner or in the industry. I'm just fed up with repetition of the same bad experience happening at different salons. I'm a very generous tipper but it is for naught. I feel like I may be patronized for one visit and after that the stylist does whatever he/she wants with my hair. I've made it clear I am growing out my hair and yet I came home with a bob. I think most stylists had a little bit of training and that is all they've learned. Like their additional years haven't helped them learn anything. There one of the most defensive groups of people I've ever dealt with. A pp encouraged us all to speak up. I don't think it works with people in this industry. I look away and don't speak up about most of it as I try to find someone who can do a decent cut and decent color. That's all I want.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, nothing except the cost... $110. But I'm so pleased with everything else... my stylist, the damn near perfect cut she gives me every time, the shampoo ladies, the friendly vibe, the cleanliness, the location... that I'm willing to pay that price.

Oh, and the salon never tries to sell me products. She (my stylist) never berates me about how long it's been since my last visit. I only go about 3-4 times a year. Usually in late August, right before Christmas, in then in April. I grow my hair out over the summer (fairly long) so that I can throw it up in the summer in buns and ponytails.

Where is this magical place?? I'm willing to travel!

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying someone new tomorrow and I'm already nervous about the upsells. A one-process color is x dollars but then $10 more if you want the color down to your roots. I'm already anticipating the extra fee if I ask him to use the extra from the bowl on my eyebrows, which my previous colorist (in NYC) did for free. It's like the airlines. I hate being nickel and dimed. Charged me one fee and include whatever you need to include in it.

What? Who wouldn't want the color down to the roots? "Yes, I'd like to be blonder, but keep these great dark roots I've got going on. $500? Great!"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying someone new tomorrow and I'm already nervous about the upsells. A one-process color is x dollars but then $10 more if you want the color down to your roots. I'm already anticipating the extra fee if I ask him to use the extra from the bowl on my eyebrows, which my previous colorist (in NYC) did for free. It's like the airlines. I hate being nickel and dimed. Charged me one fee and include whatever you need to include in it.

I hate it when I go to have my roots done and they don't mix enough color. I have thick hair and this is always a problem. They have to mix more color just to do my roots. I don't understand what the internal politics are of the stylists using color. Do they get docked for using more? I've had it happen at every salon at least once that you can see where this new color ends. It's like I have a band of color in my hair. Why would I go back to a stylist/salon where this happens?

My father used to be in sales management (you should see him buy a car) and I have zero problem just smiling and saying "Not today, thanks" or "Maybe next time" when people try to upsell me. Try it. If you start with "um" or "well..." then they'll keep trying to talk you into it.

OP, I am curious. Are you a salon owner? Or in the industry? Or connected to the industry? Are you someone who can make a difference?

I can not stand it when a stylist is "too busy" (read: maximizing profit) to color or finish your hair. I am paying YOUR prices, not the apprentice prices, for crying out loud. I expect YOU to be here from beginning to end. Especially if it is a high priced salon, paying high rent, which is no fault of mine.

I also can not stand it if the stylist works on more than one customer at a time. I don't care WHAT the situation is. I don't care if its Michelle Obama. I really don't. She is paying the same prices I am paying.

In short, you better be good and fast at what you do if you are looking to schedule people on top of each other. And if my appointment is interrupted, I will not be back.

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying someone new tomorrow and I'm already nervous about the upsells. A one-process color is x dollars but then $10 more if you want the color down to your roots. I'm already anticipating the extra fee if I ask him to use the extra from the bowl on my eyebrows, which my previous colorist (in NYC) did for free. It's like the airlines. I hate being nickel and dimed. Charged me one fee and include whatever you need to include in it.

I hate it when I go to have my roots done and they don't mix enough color. I have thick hair and this is always a problem. They have to mix more color just to do my roots. I don't understand what the internal politics are of the stylists using color. Do they get docked for using more? I've had it happen at every salon at least once that you can see where this new color ends. It's like I have a band of color in my hair. Why would I go back to a stylist/salon where this happens?

Sometimes the shampoo person is there and sometimes not. When she's there, I have to tip her an extra $5 for shampooing my hair. When she's not there, the stylist shampoos my hair, and she gets her usual tip -- I save $5.

That's screwed up but I don't know what to do about it.

I'm trying someone new tomorrow and I'm already nervous about the upsells. A one-process color is x dollars but then $10 more if you want the color down to your roots. I'm already anticipating the extra fee if I ask him to use the extra from the bowl on my eyebrows, which my previous colorist (in NYC) did for free. It's like the airlines. I hate being nickel and dimed. Charged me one fee and include whatever you need to include in it.

The inconsistency with the same hair cutter, combined with the tendency for even the least appealing salon to have a rude receptionist and/or stylists, was the biggest problem I found with salons in the NoVA/DC area. Like another poster mentioned, I might get a great haircut the first time with a new stylist, but subsequent appointments left me feeling like I wasn't 'worth' their time because I simply went in for a trim and they wanted to add on expensive extras. I have lived all over the United States, and the DC region was easily the worst when it came to finding a great hair cutter. And my haircut is nothing fancy--just some simple blunt cut or wavy shoulder length bob.

Wow - you guys are making me so grateful for the place I go to (Trim Salon in Adams Morgan).

It's a little expensive, but they never, ever try to upsell me - in fact, I've been asking my person there for a couple of years if it's time to start coloring, since I'm in my 40s now and have a few greys, and she keeps telling me to wait.

They give free bang trims between cuts, too.

My only complaint is that they don't have an online scheduling system. I'd love to be able to just schedule a trim or a cut without having to call, leave messages, wait for a call back, etc etc. And it's no longer around the corner from my apartment, since I moved to Northern Virginia.

I am completely happy with my strip mall colorist. But I wish she was better with the cut. And the lighting in there -- greenish fluorescents. I always look my worst under those lights. looks great when I leave and in natural light.

Anonymous wrote:I hate the way my stylist always asks, "wow, how long has it been since you were here last?" and then acts all horrified. I cannot afford (time-wise or money-wise) to come in every 4-6 weeks, and I never have adhered to this schedule…and yet, every damn time, it's like entering the confession booth: And how long has it been since your last confession?

Yes! I had a stylist that I dropped because he thinned out my hair after I specifically told him not to (did he think I wouldn't see him do it in the mirror?) and switched to a new person. She was great the first time -- we talked about how I don't go in to get my hair cut frequently and she agreed with me that it wasn't a big deal. Next appointment? She's suddenly criticizing it and gasping at how long it's been.

I did speak up to one stylist I liked. I liked her cuts and the salon but she did a terrible job with color. I went back to have the color fixed twice. The owner was there and saw it and did nothing. The stylist was embarrassed and redid the color. I just quit going. I felt like I was treated like it was my fault so I didn't go back.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, nothing except the cost... $110. But I'm so pleased with everything else... my stylist, the damn near perfect cut she gives me every time, the shampoo ladies, the friendly vibe, the cleanliness, the location... that I'm willing to pay that price.

Is the $110 for a hair cut only or do you get highlights?

Just the cut. I'm 44 and reddish blonde. Haven't colored yet. I'm starting to get whites around my temples, and last time I was there I asked her about it, and she said "It's not time yet. Those blend in with the blonde and are not noticeable." So that pleased me even more.