Did I do Wrong at the Salon?

Looking in the mirror today, I realized that my hair is a mess. (It's
been 3 or 4 months, and the last cut was strictly mediocre in any
event.) As I have two parties to attend this weekend, I decided to try
to get a cut. I decided to chance a walk–in chain that's not
particularly cheap (about $35 including blow dry) as it would be
difficult to make it to my usual place. The stylist washed and combed
my hair, then pulled out clippers. I told her that I preferred
scissors. After a bit of back and forth, she admitted that the salon
did not use scissors. Period. I was not aware of that when I came in.
As I did not want a clippers cut, I dug into my wallet, gave her all
the ones I had as an apology for taking up her time, and left.
Now I'm wondering if I was wrong. Of course I wasn't obligated to get
a cut that I didn't want, but was I obligated to pay her for the cut?
I spent less than 10 minutes with her in total.
Barbara

I imagine "all the ones (you) had" didn't add up to the $35 plus tip
you would have paid. You were generous about her time and she should
be appreciative. So no, you didn't do anything wrong. In fact, you
were spot on, IMHO.

I think you were plenty generous, probably more than I would have been.
What kind of salon doesn't use scissors?? I'm going to ask my stylist
about it when I go in for my once–every–three–months haircut this
evening.
––
Jen in ND

"Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1135844579.250963.125...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
you did the right thing. but what do you mean by clippers (brain fart,
sorry)? electric clippers?? on wet hair?? if so, you saved your hair.

_> "Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
Have no guilt. You did the right thing and were wise to walk out. You
walked in on impulse, and that is just not a good thing when it comes to
your hair. Barbara, it's better to have bad hair for another week or two
than to have a hair disaster.

On 29 Dec 2005 00:22:59 –0800, "Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com>
choked out these words:
it's PHENOMENALLY stupid to wash hair and then try to use
clippers on it. the hair must be dry for clipper cuts. your
stylist was (is) and idiot.
what chain was it? a local one? i've never heard of a salon
that only uses clippers. even barbers use scissors from time to
time.
a couple bucks for her time, maybe. at the very most, you pay
for the shampoo. but if you don't get the service, don't pay for
it.
david
––
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amoephoto/

David RL G=E4rtner, RMT wrote:
SNIP
As I did not want a clippers cut, I dug into my wallet, gave her all
the ones I had as an apology for taking up her time, and left.
Now I'm wondering if I was wrong. Of course I wasn't obligated to get
a cut that I didn't want, but was I obligated to pay her for the cut?
I spent less than 10 minutes with her in total.
Thanks to all who responded, and am glad I didn't commit a faux pas.
Basically, I didn't want the stylist to be on the line for any money
because I walked out. I never knew about clippers and wet hair,
though, so this was quite educational.
I bit the bullet and went to the rather expensive salon across the
street from my office today, and received an excellent cut –– good
enough that I might actually bite the bullet and go there again next
time I need a trim.
Barbara

On 29 Dec 2005 10:11:14 –0800, "Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
I applaud you. I did the walk–in thing once and I could tell from the
beginning that the guy they assigned to me wasn't going to give me a
decent cut, but I went along with it. I didn't know how bad the cut
actually was until the next day, because the way he styled my hair was
so bad that I walked to the mall restroom, wet my hands and ran them
through my hair until I had a slicked back style, then walked out of
the mall that way. That's bad. I wish I had had the guts to do what
you did.
I think that since it is unheard of for a salon to ONLY to clipper
cuts, they should have told you that at the counter.
KC

"Barbara" <mom_2_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1135879873.947255.238...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
David RL Gärtner, RMT wrote:
SNIP
As I did not want a clippers cut, I dug into my wallet, gave her all
the ones I had as an apology for taking up her time, and left.
Now I'm wondering if I was wrong. Of course I wasn't obligated to
get
a cut that I didn't want, but was I obligated to pay her for the cut?
I spent less than 10 minutes with her in total.
Thanks to all who responded, and am glad I didn't commit a faux pas.
Basically, I didn't want the stylist to be on the line for any money
because I walked out. I never knew about clippers and wet hair,
though, so this was quite educational.
I bit the bullet and went to the rather expensive salon across the
street from my office today, and received an excellent cut –– good
enough that I might actually bite the bullet and go there again next
time I need a trim.
Barbara
Barbara, consider the price difference between the expensive salon and
the one you left. It may truly be worth it for you to continue to go to
the expensive salon or at least look for a stylist you really like. I
think your hair makes or breaks how you feel about yourself. Other than
a face full of zits there is nothing worse than bad hair. Makeup and
clothing can easily be fixed but it can take a long time to fix a bad
cut.
Audrey

Second that emotion. I was well into my adult years before I slowly
became able to tell the difference between a good and a bad haircut.
And even then I felt like I didn't want to pay what felt like a huge
amount of money for a cut. But...I have seen the light! Hallelujah!
And now I willingly fork over an INSANE amount of money for both cut
and highlights. And am always happy when I leave the salon.
Moral of the story: Sometimes you *do* get what you pay for.

Most salons will give you a free consultation. During the consultation
the stylist will ask you how you envision your hair to look and then
make some suggestions about what they would like to do. Hopefully, the
stylist and the customer will reach a compromise. Like I said, this is
a free service and the customer should never feel obligated to take up
a stylist's time, especially if it means gaining a new customer. Also,
I never heard of a salon that only cuts with clippers. I know that
some stylists use razors, but with scissors along with it. I think it
was very wise of you not to let her cut your hair and very generous of
you to offer to pay for her time, but the salon was responsible for
letting you know their policy about clipper cuts long before you sat
down in the chair. If anything, they and the stylist owed you an
apology for not making themselves clear before your body was in the
chair.
Susan
http://susansspa.blogspot.com/