hair today, gone tomorrow…
Update:
I’m going back into the salon on a day when my last cutter won’t be there, and they’ll see if another stylist can “fix it“.
Which — unless they can grow hair back — isn’t really likely. But I guess I should give it a shot, mmm? At least I can say I tried. They were kind and polite and thoughtful about it, if not guarded (which is in their interests, even if the customer is always right.)
And yes, I know it seems silly to be concerned about something like hair (It’ll grow back!), and it’s not like they shaved my head, but I’m into actually getting what I want when I pay for something — and not a SuperCuts price, at that! I don’t have money to throw at things that don’t work for me at all, and since I don’t live on credit, I tend to want my money’s worth… well…. now.
It’s the principle of the thing, you know?
Most of my friends will be shocked to read this since I am a) a pathological overtipper, even in the face of bad service; b) unlikely to take things back because I feel like it’s my fault they don’t fit properly.
Silly.
But there’s a first time for everything. And since I’ve got long distance bills to pay off and plane tickets to buy, now seems like a good time to start, huh?
(The best part of the whole experience thus far? The hold music at the salon was “Runaround”. Ha!)
Have you ever returned something or asked to have a service performed again when it didn’t go well for you?
Tell me how it went…
October 20th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
This is absolutely not silly or frivolous. When you pay for a service you should get what you asked for. You’re obviously unhappy with the cut and it’s not what you asked them to do. So they should fix it.
I don’t think I’ve ever gone back to get a haircut or colour fixed, but I don’t think I’ve ever been hugely displeased with my hair. I have, however, OFTEN returned items I’ve bought if there is something wrong with them that wasn’t apparent when I bought it. Or sometimes even when I just change my mind and decide I don’t want it anymore. I’ve never had a bad experience returning it; the worst that’s occurred is they ask why you’re returning it. And I find the best answer is just to not be at all ashamed of the fact you’re returning it; just state the reason, or say “I’ve just decided it’s not what I need.”
October 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I’m with you. Boundaries are a good thing and sticking up for yourself is a good thing. Get what you pay for and if they can’t fix it, at least you tried.
I recently was insulted by the manager of a restaurant that I have patronized for more than 25 years (a quarter of a century here!) for returning food that was supposed to be hot but was so cold it couldn’t be choked down. The manager seemed to think that I am “never happy.” (NOT true. If that were the case, I guaran-dang-tee you that I would not have kept going back for 25 years.) So, to make her life easier, I have decided never to go back there. Isn’t it nice that I could fix that problem for her so easily?
It is really sad when customer loyalty doesn’t mean anything any more.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I just had the wood floor re-refinished. I didn’t think the price should include complimentary slivers and since it’s something we probably won’t do for another 7 years….
but it was embarrassing to ask him to come and “fix it.”
October 21st, 2008 at 8:08 am
Since I’m searching for a new salon - what is this salon/stylist so I don’t go there for my next hair cut?
October 21st, 2008 at 8:16 am
There’s no way you would, but I’ll email you the name. I’m only publishing it if they can’t fix me up.:)
October 21st, 2008 at 9:09 am
Yup…I recently had laminate flooring put down for my place and was not entirely please with the work. First of all, the guys who were sub-contracted smoked in my place…and left ashes in my kitchen sink, left a couple of fine cut marks in inconspicuous areas, and another somewhat minor detail (and barely noticeable) was not consistent with the cutting by a doorway. The sub-contractors were slow in finishing at the specified time. Suffice it to say, I did contact the contractor and complain. He came by to do some work but did not come back again like he said he would. Basically, the problems were so minor that it was not worth wasting my time trying to track him down. He did not really understand why I was not happy. Although the work was ok, the service was not the best.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
i had a bad hair color experience at a place i went to all the time. it was with a different stylist since mine wasn’t available for months, but everything i had seen him do before was good, so i wasn’t worried. when he was done, it was iffy, but i tipped well (and it was expensive!) and went home. normally i wait until the next day to decide if something is ok or not, and the next day, it was definitely not ok. after a few days of debating, i dropped by the salon and asked to speak to my hairstylist. i stood in front of her and whimpered, and she said “oh honey. well, this is no good. let’s get you fixed up.” she recolored it for free and always got me in thereafter.
you never know how people will respond! good luck with your new do!