Uncomfortable situation at nail place.

[nycdisneygal]

So I go to a nail place regularly since moving to CT 2 yrs ago. When things reopened last June I went every other week for pedicure. Business of course is kind of slow especially over winter. The owner is a little overbearing and I know is desperate to keep customers so will give me a certificate for something free, or do free keratin or something. The employees do a great job but I know they dont seem that happy since she is over bearing (but I never hear her being inappropriate). The guy who usually does my nails (lets call him Bob) I know gets frustrated with her and once I heard them arguing but I didnt really catch it all (I heard him telling her she will lose money). So i have been thinking of trying to switch but I like all the employees and dont want to hurt them. Today I called to cancel since my daughter is sick and the owner said - tell me the truth , are you not happy here. I told her I was happy. Then she asked me if Bob had called me. I said no. THat was weird right?
So would you keep going or find a new place? I will add that they do seem to keep the place very clean and its a big place so thats nice that you never feel packed in like places in NYC.

 

[RUDisney]

It's weird. She has issues.

If you like the nail salon, the work that Bob does, and it's very clean, keep going to it. If she starts making YOU feel uncomfortable when you are there, then it's time to change things up.

 

[clutter]

Sounds like Bob left.

 

[ronandannette]

Sounds like Bob left.

Yep...and took his client list with him. OP - your dilemma will be what you do if/when he does contact you to tell you his new location. Do you go to him or stay at your current place. IMO this isn't a moral issue of any kind; simple preference and you don't owe either of them anything.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sounds very odd, be prepared to have a weird confrontation next time, if Bob left sounds like she will try to force someone new on you and this call was getting your temperature on how resistant you might be.

 

[belle032]

Do you request Bob when you go? Or do you go to that salon because of Bob? If Bob reaches out casually, letting you know that he is no longer working at that salon but instead at this other salon, and you are welcome to make an appointment with him, you need to decide what means more to you - the salon itself or having Bob do your nails.

I'm not sure what your relationship is. For example, if my hair stylist moved locations. I would follow her to her new location because I am loyal to her-not the salon where she worked.

 

[Keli]

Yep, sounds like Bob is gone. Honestly, I'd decide right now what I wanted to do so that if he calls you then you have an answer ready. I hate getting put on the spot and sometimes make decisions I regret because I didn't want to hurt any feelings. I do better if I have made my decision ahead of time.

 

[sam_gordon]

Sounds very odd, be prepared to have a weird confrontation next time, if Bob left sounds like she will try to force someone new on you and this call was getting your temperature on how resistant you might be.

If Bob left, wouldn't they have to "force someone new"?

It really doesn't sound weird at all. It sounds like Bob left and she's worried he's taking clients with him.

 

[LuvOrlando]

If Bob left, wouldn't they have to "force someone new"?

It really doesn't sound weird at all. It sounds like Bob left and she's worried he's taking clients with him.

No, I want to be told up front so I can opt out if "my person" leaves, I don't frequent a place, I frequent the person I like so I despise getting a high pressure switcheroo.

 

[sam_gordon]

No, I want to be told up front so I can opt out if "my person" leaves, I don't frequent a place, I frequent the person I like so I despise getting a high pressure switcheroo.

Sorry, I must not be explaining myself well. If Bob left, the business MUST offer someone new. Bob's not there. Now, they can't "force" you to accept, but any decent business is going to say "Bob's no longer with us, we can schedule you with Jane.".

 

[Cheburashka]

I've had experiences where salon workers called me after they left their place of employment, hoping I would continue on as a private customer. The fact that the owner asked if Bob called (plus the pre-existing tensions between them) seems to indicate that Bob no longer works there & she's wondering if he's calling up his former client list.

Personally, I would not go back as this place just sounds annoying. When asked by the manager if I were happy, I might have actually stated something to the effect that I wasn't comfortable being given the 3rd degree when I'm just calling up with a scheduling issue. There are likely other places you can have your nails done where you don't have to deal with the owner's & workers' drama. Life is stressful enough & getting your nails done is supposed to be a treat, not another stressor.

 

[lanejudy]

No, I want to be told up front so I can opt out if "my person" leaves, I don't frequent a place, I frequent the person I like so I despise getting a high pressure switcheroo.

That may depend on the employment terms of the salon you frequent:

• If the business is an owner with employees on payroll, the owner literally "owns" your appointment and can offer a different technician when you arrive. Of course, you do have the option to decline and leave. They are under no obligation to inform you where your preferred technician went, so you may need to do some sleuthing to find him/her.
• If it is a contractor relationship -- one person owns the facility but each technician essentially rents space to work there -- your technician owns you as a customer. In this situation he/she likely would reach out to inform you they have moved locations.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sorry, I must not be explaining myself well. If Bob left, the business MUST offer someone new. Bob's not there. Now, they can't "force" you to accept, but any decent business is going to say "Bob's no longer with us, we can schedule you with Jane.".

True, but maybe you know more honest people. In my experience what they do instead is mislead saying things like, "Bob's not here today how about XYZ instead," and hope you are so happy you stay, which never happens to me. In fact, my husband's favorite person had to sneak outside a few weeks ago to tell him the building and business was being sold. Apparently, the business owner is trying to sell the book of business on the downlow and hopes no-one will notice.

 

[fla4fun]

I've had experiences where salon workers called me after they left their place of employment, hoping I would continue on as a private customer. The fact that the owner asked if Bob called (plus the pre-existing tensions between them) seems to indicate that Bob no longer works there & she's wondering if he's calling up his former client list.

The OP doesn’t mention them telling her Bob is gone, which if he is I would be very concerned about. If a person is calling to reschedule an appointment, and the person the appointment is with no longer works there, it seems very dishonest to not say anything, even if it’s a simple “Bob isn’t on the schedule that week. Can I book you with another technician?” It could be he is gone, or that he has threatened to leave but is still there for now. Or the owner could be planning to fire him, if they don’t get along, but wants to get a feel for how much business they might lose.

I agree that when it comes to personal services, such as hair and nails, I would follow the person who does the work, and not be loyal to a particular salon.

 

[sam_gordon]

True, but maybe you know more honest people. In my experience what they do instead is mislead saying things like, "Bob's not here today how about XYZ instead," and hope you are so happy you stay, which never happens to me. In fact, my husband's favorite person had to sneak outside a few weeks ago to tell him the building and business was being sold. Apparently, the business owner is trying to sell the book of business on the downlow and hopes no-one will notice.

Sorry, even in your example, I don't see a huge problem.

 

[brockash]

So I go to a nail place regularly since moving to CT 2 yrs ago. When things reopened last June I went every other week for pedicure. Business of course is kind of slow especially over winter. The owner is a little overbearing and I know is desperate to keep customers so will give me a certificate for something free, or do free keratin or something. The employees do a great job but I know they dont seem that happy since she is over bearing (but I never hear her being inappropriate). The guy who usually does my nails (lets call him Bob) I know gets frustrated with her and once I heard them arguing but I didnt really catch it all (I heard him telling her she will lose money). So i have been thinking of trying to switch but I like all the employees and dont want to hurt them. Today I called to cancel since my daughter is sick and the owner said - tell me the truth , are you not happy here. I told her I was happy. Then she asked me if Bob had called me. I said no. THat was weird right?
So would you keep going or find a new place? I will add that they do seem to keep the place very clean and its a big place so thats nice that you never feel packed in like places in NYC.

Ugh...I hate when places can't just be professional. Unfortunately, I've been to lots of nail places that I don't like, so I guess I'd probably still go, but would keep my eye open for something new...I'm guessing Bob is now working somewhere else and she thinks he's "stealing" her business, but totally unprofessional to involve you.

 

[nycdisneygal]

Thanks all... I have had others at the salon do my nails on occasion and they always also do a nice job and are very sweet and kind. I think you guys are right that "Bob" probably left. Actually about 2 months ago I thought maybe he was leaving as he whispered "good luck" when I left one day... I hate confrontation and I hate to hurt people so thats why I am having a hard time deciding what to do, but I guess if when I go next and Bob is not there and I feel uncomfortable it will be time to move on... I have started researching other places in case...

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I followed my mechanic around to a few different places he went to and he did inform me. That was really important for me to do that.

On the other hand when I went to European Wax Center for services while I did like generally who I had and just set up repeat appointments with the one I had I wasn't loyal to them and wouldn't have just followed them from location to location. I've had 3 different girls over the years. 1 girl left during the shutdown time period last spring, 1 was at an old location that was closer to my old apartment years ago when I first got my package (that I went years in between going) and 1 is the most recent one. I like the place and their process more than a particular wax specialist.

I agree with others that "bob" might have left and the owner probably knows clients have been leaving her place in favor of "bob" or just leaving in general. I agree with you on seeing how it goes next time but keeping other places in mind since you're not necessarily loyal to just "bob"

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I have a nail place on my corner, about 8 houses away. That's where I go for my nails. I don't follow anyone, I go to the shop that is convenient for me. I can walk, not worry about finding a place to park and be in an out. I go every other week, I have short nails, white no chip and I'm out of there. If I'd had the same tech twice it is only because of the rotation, not my request. back when I had acrylics, since the mid-eightys I'd follow my girl where ever she went. Now I honestly don't care.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Sorry, even in your example, I don't see a huge problem.

I understand, maybe making your own choices isn't a big deal to you, for me any hint of manipulation is a permanent dealbreaker.
I get why the OP's antennae are up, mine would be too.