You know what really grinds my gears (pt 2)

You know what really grinds my gears, besides the fact that I am writing this on my iPhone because work has now blocked wordpress and a few select other blogs (how on earth am I supposed to read SmittenKitchen.com!!)? No, what irks me is hair salons. Now, I’ve unfortunately come to accept that a cut is $40 and a partial weave runs around $75-$80. Now I already drag out getting my hair done as long as possible to avoid these costs, but after 4 months or so i’ve forgotten the pain and am ready to fork out the cash (not to mention I hate tipping, you basically add the cost of another haircut, all for work they are already paid to do!).

A month or so ago, I was ready to take the plunge. I found a place in Ballard, made the appt and the day before, they called to confirm – and just before we hung up she asked if I would be ok paying cash, as their credit/debit machine was down. What?! Are you freakin’ kidding me?! No, I’m sorry I don’t carry $150+ cash with me. So I cancelled the appt.

Luckily I found another place in Ballard, called Source Salon and Spa, and they were able to accommodate me the next day. Their website listed a price of $40 for a cut and $75 for a partial weave/ $95 for a full. Ok, I can handle that (well, I’ve told myself I can at least).

After 2 and a 1/2 hours, I was finally being shown the products I could purchase and to the counter to pay. My stylist tells me that if I want, I can come in and get a trim if I need it before my next cut.

My bill is totalled and “that comes to $160″. WTF!??!?!??!!!! Seiously, that was $45 more than I’d expected to pay!! But what’s a girl to do, the deed has already been done and I assumed I read the website wrong. (I checked, and while I didn’t read it wrong, there was an annoying little + sign after each price…a$$holes)

So I figure I am DEFINITELY going back for a trim and it better not cost anything! I just got off the phone with the girl. It just so happens that the guy who cut my hair doesn’t work there… No trim then. (i have had terrible luck finding a stylist i like, the 2 i have have both left the salons, and i have no idea where they are now)

She, of course, offers me to someone else. I ask how much (not wanting sticker shock again) and she tells me $60. I tell her the web says $40, does anyone charge that? She says most are $60 and doesn’t offer to put me with someone cheaper. She told me, since I was a client of Emmett’s, they are giving 50% off for going with someone else.

So I went for it, but as I’m writing this I think I’m going to cancel. It just seems outrageous. Hasn’t anyone told salon’s we’re in a recession and most people are trying up cut back?! And at what point do they stop upping their fees by $20?? It seems they’ve got a little “price fixing” going on amongst good salons. And while I’d go to a cheaper place, the last time I did I got an odd chunk taken out of my hair, so I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place (that’s what she said , at least I still have my sense of humor).

And that is what really grinds my gears on this beautiful Friday afternoon.