What would you do?

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

OP, if you live in a larger community that has social review sites, e.g. Yelp, I'd leave a review on that site, as well. That is unacceptable behavior and at the very least new prospective clients should have the full understanding of the business' business practices.

Aside from that, while I usually have no issue with confrontation, I am keenly aware of my barber's control over my hair so it's doubtful that I would have said anything until at least the end of the haircut.

 

[Klismania]

Based on life experience I've set my limit for waiting to 15 minutes past the appointment time...then I walk. It doesn't matter who the service person is: hair stylist, chiropractor, doctor, auto shop, etc. My time is valuable and if I spend more than 15 minutes waiting, then they know by my actions that I've overvalued my personal time and they'll keep me waiting longer each and every appointment.

If they've made an effort to explain to me why someone is behind then I may wait 30 minutes or more depending on the situation. But if it becomes a habit then I'll drop that servicer completely. I dropped one chiropractor this past summer because 5:30 kept getting pushed back to 6:00, 6:15 and 6:30 due to "emergencies" and I just dropped HIS replacement because the walk-in's were taking precedence over my appointment times. Excuse me, but I MADE and appointment so that I wouldn't HAVE to wait.

If it were me, at 12:15 I would have gone up to reception and told them that I'm sorry but I only reserved a half hour of time for this appointment, I have another engagement at 1:00, and I'm going to have to leave; please cancel the appointment. If they asked me if I'd like to make another one I'd say, "Let me get back to you on that" and then left, never to return. There are lots of stylists out there, I'm not that picky about my hair and I tip very well. I can easily find another one.

 

[lovin'fl]

If I really needed the haircut, I would have let her cut it. Then, when paying, I would have left no tip at all and told her that she got no tip because she lied to you (telling her you heard the whole coffee thing), and the say you would not be coming back. In fact, I might even ask for a discount on the cut!

I don't like confrontation, either, but that was just unacceptable.

This!

 

[lovin'fl]

Based on life experience I've set my limit for waiting to 15 minutes past the appointment time...then I walk. It doesn't matter who the service person is: hair stylist, chiropractor, doctor, auto shop, etc. My time is valuable and if I spend more than 15 minutes waiting, then they know by my actions that I've overvalued my personal time and they'll keep me waiting longer each and every appointment.

I just (on Thursday) called Ikea to order a gift card for my brother for Xmas. I went online and they don't have a way to buy online (like most other places do) and their website instructed to buy GCs at a store or call a specific #. There is not a store close to me, so I called and was on hold for 20 minutes. I hung up and called back a few hours later and after 15 minutes of being on hold, I hung up. I went back on their website and clicked to send an e-mail but it didn't work, so I clicked to IM a customer service agent. I asked her if she could sell me a GC and her responses were NO help and didn't even make sense some of the time (must just be automated) but she asked 'did that help' after each of her responses...uh, heck to the NO!!! In the end she told me to call the number I had already called...NO THANKS!!! So, no Ikea GC for my brother...3 strikes, they're OUT!!!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

upon hearing about the "starbucks run" that she was offering to the other hair stylists, I would have asked to "get in on it" and then tell them that the 12:00 o'clock appointment wants no coffee but some hair styling service at the shop.

then at 12:01, leave with the explanation that you need to go home at start writing reviews about bad service.

 

[lauradis]

Depends on how awesome she cuts hair.

I'm willing to put up with little rudeness, bad behavior if she was really good.

If she was just a run of mill hairdresser, I wouldn't have stayed more then 15 mins and would have never tipped her if she bothered to show up. Around 15 mins I would have asked nicely to talk to manager/ owner to tell them what I over heard. More then likely they know and got their Starbucks too.
I certainly wouldn't go back there. There are plenty of run of the mill hairdressers out there that have better customer service.

Sorry they treated you badly

 

[2Kds2K9]

Did the receptionist tell her that you were there waiting? If you were checked in with the receptionist and then the receptionist proceeded to give the stylist a large coffee order to your stylist, then I tend to think this is a common occurrence and would avoid the salon entirely. I'd call the manager/ owner and let them know they've got two employee issues.

 

[tasha99]

No tip and I'd post honest reviews online.

 

[Aliceacc]

Not going back doesn't make much of a point if they don't know why.

Write the establishment a note letting them know why you won't be returning.

 

[Imhere]

Did the receptionist ask what kind of coffee YOU wanted?

 

[DWGal210]

I had an appointment for a haircut at 12 noon. I arrived at 1145 and checked in. At 1155 the receptionist picks up a phone call, then walks around to each hair dresser asking if they want anything because "insert my hairdressers name" is stopping at Starbucks. She then composed a long list and gave it over the phone. At 1215 I asked the receptionist if it was going to be much longer, she said just a few minutes. My hairdresser arrives at 12 39 with several trays of coffee. She comes over to get me now 1245 and apologizes for being late, says she had car trouble. You know as if I had not just witnessed the entire thing with my own eyes as it unfolded. I was upset. I really needed a haircut, so I waited. I'm still miffed about the wait and lie. I did not tip well, and will not be going back. I've had her cut my hair twice before. While she does an ok job, it's nothing special I just get a trim. I usually tip 25% today I left only 10%. I am still mad at myself for not speaking up.

Wow that is pretty gutsy to lie to you like that, when you were sitting there and heard the whole thing. You were good to wait for her that long; not only would I be peeved that she lied, but she is late for an appointment so she can pick up coffee?! I wonder how she would like it if someone booked an appointment and came in nearly an hour late. Unreal.

 

[gwynne]

Not going back doesn't make much of a point if they don't know why.

Write the establishment a note letting them know why you won't be returning.

JMO, I believe writing a note is not a good idea. It's is not the client's job to train the staff.
If it were me, I certainly wouldn't go back. I'd get busy and find another hairdresser, soon.

 

[scrapquitler]

Did the receptionist tell her that you were there waiting? If you were checked in with the receptionist and then the receptionist proceeded to give the stylist a large coffee order to your stylist, then I tend to think this is a common occurrence and would avoid the salon entirely. I'd call the manager/ owner and let them know they've got two employee issues.

I agree with this. The manager/owner needs to know what happened. I would have also said something to the receptionist as soon as she hung up the phone from giving the coffee order. I would have said something to her like "I couldn't help but hearing you giving that coffee order to Mary. You DO realize that I'm waiting for her to cut my hair and my appointment was for X time, right?" And if she said yes, I would have said, "Don't you think you should call her and let her know that I am here waiting while she is at Starbucks getting YOUR coffee?? Would you like that if you were me??". Then I would have waited for her reaction.

When the stylist arrived (if I had decided that waiting around was worthwhile, which probably would have been true only if I had an important occasion that night), I would have said straight out to the stylist "I don't appreciate your assumption that I wouldn't mind sitting here waiting while you got coffee from everyone from starbucks".

And I definitely wouldn't be going back. AND I would post about my experience on Yelp and FourSquare.

 

[scrapquitler]

JMO, I believe writing a note is not a good idea. It's is not the client's job to train the staff.
If it were me, I certainly wouldn't go back. I'd get busy and find another hairdresser, soon.

I do think it's important that the management knows WHY the client won't be returning. If they don't know what is wrong, they are much less likely to fix the problem.

 

[gwynne]

I do think it's important that the management knows WHY the client won't be returning. If they don't know what is wrong, they are much less likely to fix the problem.

I see that as a big maybe. The note might help, it also might be the basis of some ugly back and forth between the shop and the client.
If a client wants to step into those "assist the manager" shoes, that's their choice. It's not their job.

At the end of the day, the OP knows she's going to a salon where her stylist doesn't value her as a client. There are lots of salons, and if OP asks around I'm sure she'll find one where the stylist treats her respectfully.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree with this. The manager/owner needs to know what happened. I would have also said something to the receptionist as soon as she hung up the phone from giving the coffee order. I would have said something to her like "I couldn't help but hearing you giving that coffee order to Mary. You DO realize that I'm waiting for her to cut my hair and my appointment was for X time, right?" And if she said yes, I would have said, "Don't you think you should call her and let her know that I am here waiting while she is at Starbucks getting YOUR coffee?? Would you like that if you were me??". Then I would have waited for her reaction.

When the stylist arrived (if I had decided that waiting around was worthwhile, which probably would have been true only if I had an important occasion that night), I would have said straight out to the stylist "I don't appreciate your assumption that I wouldn't mind sitting here waiting while you got coffee from everyone from starbucks".

And I definitely wouldn't be going back. AND I would post about my experience on Yelp and FourSquare.

I agree with all of the above!!!

 

[KiKi Mouse]

It's not too late to call and let them know how rude it was to make you wait and then to lie about it.

I had to call Olive Garden cause I was too chicken to say something on the spot. The bartender was having a field day picking his nose and eating it-repeatedly! Disgusting.

I was eating my lunch when I read this.

I would have waited for my hair cut. I would not have tipped. I would speak to the manager of the salon and tell them why you won't be back.

 

[Imhere]

The bartender was having a field day picking his nose and eating it-repeatedly! Disgusting.

Everybody's doin' it, doin' it, doin' it
Everybody's chewin' it, chewin' it, chewin' it
Thinkin' it's candy
But it' snot

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I had something similiar happen except in my case, the stylist called in to see if she could get chick-fil-a for others.

It was only my 2nd time going to that salon.

I heard the conversation, walked up to the receptionist and asked to see the manager. I told the manager I wasn't getting my haircut that day or ever by anyone in that salon and why then left.

I went to Great Clips and got my hair cut there instead. I did meet the person who is doing my hair now at Great Clips. When she left, I made sure she knew how to reach me so I could go to her at her new salon.
She is working at a tiny salon and she does a very nice job with my hair - I do haircut and highlights now.

 

[bittybabygrower]

I would have told the receptionist to call her back and tell her to bring the client she had waiting a coffee too. You need to call the manager and complain.