Would you feel slighted? Hair salon issue.

I love my stylist. I mean, I LOVE my stylist. I've never had so many compliments on my hair (color and style) in my life, than I have had since she'd been doing my hair. And what happens next, in this dreadful tale (*snort*) is not her fault.

I got a call last night around 5 asking if it would be possible for me to come in at 7 instead of 6:30. I said it wasn't a problem. I figured she was behind or something, which can happen for any appointment (ask me about the 2-hour wait I had for a pap).

Anyway, turns out that the local University President called at 4:45 that day and wanted a 6 p.m. appointment at the salon. The owner then contacts my stylist and tells her that she has to re-arrange her evening schedule to fit the president in. My stylist, being someone who doesn't cater to such nonsense, was furious that she was forced to do this (not to mention my stylist has a several-week long waiting list for any color appointment, and those people got pushed back further). My appointment had been set for eight weeks.

So basically, a client who has been going to that salon for 6 years was bumped for a NEW client who happened to have a high-rank at the local university. I, of course, felt slighted and a bit like a second-class client there.

I mean, does my money not spend the same exact way?

Pffft, I'm drafting my letter of "displeasure" for the owner. It's not nasty, just expresses that the way I was treated was unjustified and I hope that the owner can live with the choice, because she "made a long-time client with a big mouth very unhappy."

Yes, I would be slighted. That was very inappropriate on the salon owner's part. Are they going to change appointments around each time this person wants a hair cut on a whim? I think it ridiculous.

I think that is ridiculous also! As a long time client, YOU should be the one that gets to keep an appointment. Just because someone is a high ranking official with a university does not make them any more special then someone who continuously chooses that salon to do her hair! No one should have been bumped....if there was not an open spot, she should have been told no just like any other new customer would be told! If the salon owner was so worried about it, she should have cleared her own schedule and did the new clients hair herself.
Please keep us updated if you get a response from the owner!

I think I would be very angry what a cheek the owner of the salon has, stupid woman.

Yea , I too would be rather unimpressed with the lack of professionalism displayed by the owner. Good idea to write a letter to show your displeasure with the situation... I hope the owner reads it and realizes that it is a great way to LOSE a steady client.

Yup, I'd feel slighted.

I like your stylist, too! She might have gotten in trouble for telling you the real reason for the delay; the owner probably did not want everyone knowing what really happened - very unprofessional on the part of the owner. Sounds like you might be following your stylist to another salon in the future.

Think of it from a monetary and reputation stand point for the owner. Lots of people who have positions such as that uni president will abuse them. Don't cater to them and you risk losing a lot of business. Does it make it ok? No, not really. But how do you fight back against possible blackmail and not make yourself look even worse publicly if it blows up? That's sadly how things work. Fairness and honesty are rare things.

I would be upset. Not fair to change everything for one person.

Originally Posted by frankthetank

I think that is ridiculous also! As a long time client, YOU should be the one that gets to keep an appointment. Just because someone is a high ranking official with a university does not make them any more special then someone who continuously chooses that salon to do her hair! No one should have been bumped....if there was not an open spot, she should have been told no just like any other new customer would be told! If the salon owner was so worried about it, she should have cleared her own schedule and did the new clients hair herself.
Please keep us updated if you get a response from the owner!

Click to expand...

I totally agree with this post. Some people should not own a business.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Think of it from a monetary and reputation stand point for the owner. Lots of people who have positions such as that uni president will abuse them. Don't cater to them and you risk losing a lot of business. Does it make it ok? No, not really. But how do you fight back against possible blackmail and not make yourself look even worse publicly if it blows up?

That's sadly how things work. Fairness and honesty are rare things.

Click to expand...

Maybe, but I have a big mouth too, and there aren't a lot of people in this town that respect the pres. She's been known to pull diva moments, and a lot of people around here are just waiting for the day her contract runs out (or the board of trustees buys her out).

Another thing is, why doesn't she already have a regular hair dresser? She's been here for a couple of years now and the area isn't that large. Maybe this salon is the only one so far who has catered to this behavior.

Or, more likely, her past behavior caused her former hairdresser to finally get fed up with her.

I would have expected the salon owner to comp every service that had to be postponed or rescheduled - at no loss to the sylist - at the very very least. And, they should have been upfront about the reason.

Hopefully your stylist will be moving on to another salon soon.

Yeah, I'd be a little miffed, BUT you were called ahead and asked if it would be ok, so I wouldn't blow it out of proportion. I think your letter of displeasure is fine, since you said it isn't nasty, but you might rethink the "big mouth client" part. You know, say your piece, but take the high road. We are only talking about a half an hour, right?

That would bother me as well. I hate when people throw their weight around to get what they want, and someone complies, even if it means slighting a long-term customer.

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Yeah, I'd be a little miffed, BUT you were called ahead and asked if it would be ok, so I wouldn't blow it out of proportion. I think your letter of displeasure is fine, since you said it isn't nasty, but you might rethink the "big mouth client" part. You know, say your piece, but take the high road. We are only talking about a half an hour, right?

Click to expand...

It's not really the time, it's really the reason behind it. I understand when things are out of someone's control (e.g., illness, car accident, power outage, etc.) but to purposely push back several appointments to fit in a client at the last minute, just because of that person's status, THAT is what irritates me.

More of the principal thing.

I haven't sent a letter yet. I did write one, but I'm giving myself space from it before revisiting to make sure it says what I want.

Originally Posted by emrldsky

It's not really the time, it's really the reason behind it. I understand when things are out of someone's control (e.g., illness, car accident, power outage, etc.) but to purposely push back several appointments to fit in a client at the last minute, just because of that person's status, THAT is what irritates me.

More of the principal thing.

I haven't sent a letter yet. I did write one, but I'm giving myself space from it before revisiting to make sure it says what I want.

Click to expand...

I'm sure you will write an appropriate letter.

Originally Posted by emrldsky

I hope that the owner can live with the choice, because she "made a long-time client with a big mouth very unhappy."

Click to expand...

Ask for a free haircut. That would make you feel better.

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Yeah, I'd be a little miffed, BUT you were called ahead and asked if it would be ok, so I wouldn't blow it out of proportion.

Click to expand...

I definitely agree with this. I don't think it's a big deal. I would find a better way to spend your energy.