Hair stylist issues...

[Disfan3]

So...I had an issue with the policy of the salon of my hair stylist. They claimed to take walk-ins so I walked in one day to get my hair done and my stylist, who I have been going to for years, says she cannot do my hair because they have to leave 2 people open for cuts (I wanted a color and cut). One of their workers called in sick so she could not help me. The place was empty but that is their policy.

I had tried making appointments before but her schedule is very hard to match up with mine, I am a teacher and cannot take off work to go in during the day and she was done by 5 on most days...and every time I called it just seemed so hard to get in.

So I changed to another stylist who I like. I like her work ethic because she works for herself. The other stylist works for a large chain salon. I liked that the new one worked when I needed her to and she would always accomodate me, even if that meant she worked til 9 at night.

The issue is, as much as I like her, she does not do my hair as well as the other stylist. I liked my hair better when the first stylist did it. I like the second stylist's work, it is ok but I loved the first lady.

So after a few months I called the first stylist back and explained to her that I loved the way she did my hair but our schedules seemed to conflict a lot during the school year but I would like to return to the salon to get my hair done.

Well of course, she scheduled me but she acted very put off by this even though I explained the situation and complimented her work.

I am a good tipper, I am an easy customer, I spend a lot of money and ALWAYS buy product so I guess I just don't know what the deal is.

Did I break some sort of "rule" in the world of hair??? Is is not OK to go to another stylist for reasons like scheduling conflicts, etc? I guess with as many people as I know today who no longer get their hair done in the salon and have gone to doing it at home, I would try to be a bit nicer to a customer. Maybe I am looking at this the wrong way?

So...
A. Am I wrong?
B. Would you go back to the first stylist if you were me or just stay with the second?
C. Don't people change stylists at times? I know the second stylist styles one of my co-worker's hair and her daughter in-law does hair so whenever she is there, the DIL will do it for her and she says stylst #2 never has an issue with that...

not really looking for flames, just some opinions.

Thanks!

 

[JulielovesDisney]

I think it is perfectly ok to switch stylists, but if you had a close relationship with the first one, I would have first confronted her to make sure she couldn't make any exceptions and to let her know it is nothing personal, it's just due to scheduling conflicts.

I've done something similar. I go to a small, family-owned salon in my town. They do a fantastic job, but they are very pricey. If I need a quick cut, I just go to the cheapo Best Cuts in the next town over.

Now that the damage has been done, I would stick with the new stylist in your case. It seems like the old one took it personally and I don't think it would be the best option to go back there. Not saying she would purposely mess up your style, but it would just be uncomfortable. And I know I must feel completely comfortable with my hair stylist..not sure how you feel about that.

 

[MushyMushy]

I never know how to act with stylists either. I feel like I'm cheating on them if I go elsewhere, but in your case I think you were justified in leaving. With her attitude I wouldn't go back to her for anything!

Also if your current stylist isn't cutting it for you (ba dum dum), definitely find someone else. I'm sure you'll be able to find one just as accommodating but also as talented as your first.

 

[Disfan3]

thanks.
I think I am not going back.

 

[onyx8]

I would look for yet another stylist who has better hours and whose results are more to your liking. Good luck!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

There's nothing wrong with looking for a new stylist that you really like and can accommodate your schedule. I went through a few stylists over the past several years. They were OK, but I was never really thrilled with my hair.

I went to one guy for about 3 years and couldn't believe the way he treated me one day. Usually, I would go in on a Saturday morning with my hair wet from my shower. He would just spritz it with water and cut it. One day, I made my appointment for 3:15 in the afternoon. I came with my hair dry and styled since I had come directly from work. I got there at 3:17 (2 minutes late, I'll admit that). He had another customer who had color on her hair and he intended to cut my hair before rinsing hers. He said, "Oh, you usually come with your hair wet." I explained that I do that on Saturday mornings but I had just come from work this time. So while he was washing my hair he said, "If I'd known you were going to be so late and need your hair washed, I wouldn't have booked you at this time. I said, "Yes, I was two minutes late and I'm sorry about that." He said, "Your appointment was at 3:15 and you didn't get here until 3:30." I looked at my watch. It was now 3:22. I said, "How could I have gotten here at 3:30 when it's only 3:22 now?" He didn't say anything and cut my hair in silence. I can't help it if he didn't do his schedule right and the other lady had to sit with her color too long! Needless to say, I didn't call him again.

I now see a wonderful lady who does a great job on my hair and is very pleasant during my appointments. We both watch General Hospital and spend the whole time talking about it. I look forward to seeing her and never feel like I'm intruding!

 

[pixiewings71]

When you see a stylist you are paying them, so they are, in essense, working for you. Just as if you had a day care provider watching your kids, or a housekeeper cleaning your house. If you have a problem with someone you hire to do a service for you you have every right to go elsewhere if you're not receiving good service or the service you expect. You absolutely have the right to go where you want to go, I would cancel the appt you have with the old stylist and start looking for someone different from the person you are currently using. Good luck!

 

[cm8]

I never know how to act with stylists either. I feel like I'm cheating on them if I go elsewhere, but in your case I think you were justified in leaving. With her attitude I wouldn't go back to her for anything!

Also if your current stylist isn't cutting it for you (ba dum dum), definitely find someone else. I'm sure you'll be able to find one just as accommodating but also as talented as your first.