To complain about hairdresser?

[crazycatgal]

I decided to go to a new, quite pricey hairdressers and went for a consultation a couple of months ago and had my appointment this weekend. At the initial consultation the stylist wasn't overly warm but I didn't let it put me off.

I got there and went to the desk, said hello and smiled at my stylist who was at the desk. She asked me for my name and sat me in the waiting area all without a smile.

Throughout her doing my hair she didn't speak to me apart from to ask me to remind her what I wanted. I saw all of the other stylists chatting away with their clients whilst I was sat there feeling incredibly unwelcome.

At the backwash the chairs had built in massagers, other stylists asked their clients if they would like their chair on and offered to fetch the clients phone or magazines to the backwash. Again I got nothing.

At the end my hair didn't even look like what I'd shown her (I'd wanted a shadow root and it hadn't taken so just looked like highlights) and I was left to pay £170. I feel like a complete mug.

Would you complain, or just see this as a lesson learned and not go back?

YANBU. I qualified as a beautician back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. .
However one thing that always stuck with me that our tutor said was. You have to treat your customer like a Queen. That’s the only reason some people go to salons is to be pampered and made a fuss of.
You’re not doing them any favours.

Which photo is what you wanted, and which photo is what you got?

Maybe she had social anxiety too though ? Just because she is a hairdressers doesn't mean she has a big personality.. if you don't like your hair then fair enough complain but not about her personality, that's harsh .

Oh I read further down.
Your hair is really lovely as it is.

But if it is not what you want - dont be scared to go back and ask for it to be lightened at the front. They would do this for you - especially at those high end places

Maybe it’s not a job for someone with social anxiety. No job is for everyone

I think what they gave you is something you could have had done much cheaper tbh. It isn’t what you asked for.

I have complained before via telephone and via that online survey they send you after a visit. They should be happy to meet you and do it right. You can stress that you don’t want the same hairdresser again. That is what I have done before.

There is a chance that the hairdresser you got is the one with fewest regulars and that is why she was available to a new customer? I have no idea if salons work like this but I’d be surprised if they don’t receive complaints when they don’t deliver the end result when you are paying a decent price to go there.

@angell84 I've explained upthread.

@oohnicevase The only thing that she said to me is 'Can you remind me what you wanted' and asked me to move to the backwash and back to the chair, that was it in 4 hours, I'm sorry but that is unprofessional.

@theschoolonthehill I completely agree! I've previously been getting my hair done similarly to how it turned out and I've been paying half of what I paid here.

I’ve phoned various hairdresser the following day quite a few times and said now I’ve seen my hair in natural light the cut or colour isn’t quite what I asked for. Every time they’ve fitted me in and corrected the cut it colour and been very friendly and professional about it. I do get my hair done a lot and am 51 so this problem probably happens every 3 or 4 years.

I get what you mean about the unfriendly service. I tried a new salon when I lost my longtime stylist and the whole attitude was just off - unfriendly staff, tended to kind of ignore me whilst chatting over my head to each other. I just didn't feel comfortable there so didn't go back after a couple of cuts.

I just tried a new salon this week and it's SO different - friendly, happy service. Makes such a difference and I immediately booked my DD in for her very overdue cut and they were amazing to her too. Will definitely be staying there.

Yes but maybe she is nervous and was looking for a prompt for you . My hairdresser picks up on my cues . So if I chat so does she but if I don't she leaves me alone . Maybe because of your nerves she felt you wanted to be silent . I would definitely find another hairdresser if your hair was £170!! Mine is amazing and charges £90 for a cut and full colour . I'm in an expensive area but not London .