Hair Salon Price Rant

I have come to realize there is some major "price gouging" (a term for a seller pricing much higher than is considered reasonable or fair; prices obtained by inconsistent practices) occurring in salons. I really think this is on a global scale. The beauty industry, specifically salons have never been scrutinized on their pricings. Unless it's a retail chain (e.g. Bo Ric's, SuperCuts), salons have never had to adhere to any type of market price or standard. I suspect this is because there's a myriad of services that can be offered or requested by customers. This in no way gives them (salons) the right to charge exorbitant fees. Now, I do believe in paying for someones DEMONSTRATED expertise, but to charge an outrageous fee solely because your competition does, is unacceptable.
Prices of services in the midwest are just ridiculous. Reality shows like, "Split Ends" and "Shear Genius" have some stylists overconfident in their ability...and fees. Let's hope they begin to remember those are reality TV shows, not their OWN reality. Just because you can duplicate a style you saw executed on a TV show doesn't mean you have to charge $10-$30 more for your services.

The disparity between the prices of services is just unbelievable! They just don't make sense! Recently, a white colleague went to a salon and got her hair washed, cut (not trimmed) and styled. After (the very expected) tipping the "shampoo girl", she walks out having spent $70, only to duplicate it again the next week or week after. I can recall going to a salon about 5 years ago where I got a touch up (relaxer), trim (not cut)and flat-ironed and I was charged $85.00!!! That hurt my pocket AND my feelings because it was done by a lady I use to work with and I became one of her first customers when she graduated beauty school. I hadn't been to her in a long time but DANG...$85.00? Needless to say, that was the last time she did my hair.

What are the cost incurred with being a stylist (and not the owner of a salon)? Hair products, equipment (e.g. irons, combs, rollers, pins, clips), booth rent (which usually incorporate water, lights, phone, etc), time and expertise. I get that. Now that a lot of African-American women are going natural, the price gouging has shifted. When my hair was relaxed, I understood that some of the cost of the service was the (chemically ladened) products that the stylist used on my hair. It was normal for the stylist to use at least 4-5 different products (e.g. shampoo, conditioner, styling lotion, spritz, oil sheen, etc) on my hair. Now that I'm natural, why isn't the cost of those products (that I no longer want used on my hair)deducted from my bill?

It's crazy but sometimes when I get to a salon...especially if it's a new salon or stylist, I almost feel like a hostage or I have the ominous feeling that I'm about to be robbed. (LOL...that's so sad!) I am the client and I want to encourage and empower people just like me to take back their "chutzpah"! Salons and stylists of the world, listen up! Here are our (my...tee hee) demands:

1. I want the option to bring in the (natural) products I want used in my hair if you don't provide them...and deduct that from what you're charging me.
2. I want the option to prepare (e.g. shampoo or co-wash)my hair at home, if all I want you to do is twist, corn roll, palm roll or braid it.
3. Consult with me BEFORE you do any other treatment on my hair. Some of us get taken by the stylist statement that starts off with, "I'm going to do a...to your hair today, okay?" or "This is what I'm going to do for you today...". Don't make it sound like a favor, when it's really a $50 service I unknowingly agreed to.
4. Make sure your prices are CONSISTENT. (I'm intelligent...I understand inflation, so I understand that as the cost of products go up, the price of services will go up...but not by $10 per month!)
5. Can I please have the option to pay the shampoo girl without being the topic of conversation (after I leave) when I don't? DANG! Some days, I barely have enough money to pay the stylist and the "surprise" services, let alone leave a $5-10 tip for the shampoo-er.
6. DO NOT request that I make an appointment just for a non-refundable $20-40 consultation that lasts 15 minutes! That is absolutely inconsiderate...and a waste of my time and yours.
7. If I request a service, TELL me what HOW you're going to do it BEFORE you do it. I do not like surprises when it comes to my hair.
8. If you know I requested a service that will harm my hair, have the integrity, maturity, kindness and professionalism to tell me the consequences of my request!
9. Know your abilities and expertise. Let me know if I'm requesting a service you've never done before. It could potentially save both of us THOUSANDS of dollars in court costs.
10. Never forget...your livelihood is based on the satisfaction of your clientele. It amazes me when stylist act like they're doing ME a favor by servicing ME!

Color me jaded. I'm done with the self-absorbed, insolent behaviors of stylist. I can't tolerate them in person and I can't even stomach them on the reality shows. I have come to the conclusion that I'd rather go to a "kitchen-tician" than to be subjected to rude behavior and price gouging practices.

Remember when salons were called "beauty shops"? Maybe that's when they lost their customer focus and charm. Ahhhh...those were the days.