To ask for my old hairdresser back?

[UseAMuckySock]

I used to get my hair done by “Jodie”. She always did it perfectly and I loved how she did it.

One day Jodie called in sick and the hairdressers said I could still come in but “Geraldine” would be doing my hair.

so I went in, really did not like the way she did it. She dried it all frizzy etc and the colour was wrong. I let it go, asked to rebook for 8 weeks time. Stupidly assumed I’d be booked back in with Jodie.

I get there and Geraldine is waiting for me looking all sinister. This time my hair was even worse, she curled it around the forehead and I looked like something from the 1920s. I’m already feeling like I look old and this made me feel even worse. She asked if I wanted to book back in and to avoid awkwardness I said no, I’ll call in a few weeks.

I called back and specifically asked for Jodie. They booked me in.

When I got there Jodie came across and said “hi! I think you were booked in with me but Geraldine will be doing it if that’s ok? We’re really busy with it being Christmas”.

I agreed but shouldn’t have done, I know.

Well this time was worse than ever! I asked her to lighten the colour and style it with a bit of volume as I was going to a Christmas party.

The finished result? Darker than it was before I went in and she literally covered her hands in product and squashed my hair down flat to my head. So old fashioned and gawdy looking.

she’s lovely but I just can’t let her near my hair again! But I don’t want to upset her. Are they used to people saying they don’t want certain hairdressers or will I look like a bitch?

Can you just ask the receptionist when rebooking to have Jodie and no-one else?
I work in a salon and while we don’t mind clients trying other stylists in the main clients usually stick with one stylist even if they have been covered by someone else because of sickness. I think it will be fine to request Jodie only :) on the other hand even though it’s hard it’s always best to tell them if you aren’t happy! We’d rather the chance to make it right.

I work in a similar line of work. Totally normal to request a specific person. It’s weird they’ve moved you over the Geraldine without good reason.

You keep being put in with Geraldine because you haven't complained, and I wouldn't be surprised if she has issues keeping return customers, so you'll keep being put back in with her until you insist on Jodie. I used to work in a salon, and this would happen when it came down between our most popular stylist and the "eh" one.

Be kind but firm. This is your money, time, and hair, and you deserve to get what you paid for. You can let the salon know that you specifically just want the one stylist (which is one of the most common requests they'll get, trust me. People are very particular about their hair!) and are willing to wait without insulting Geraldine. You deserve to feel good about yourself!

I just feel guilty because when I go in, Geraldine will see me and will know that I’ve sacked her off for Jodie

I don’t have anything against her, she’s lovely but my hair just doesn’t get on with her!

It's a service that you are paying for and can choose whichever stylist you want.
I doubt Geraldine will say anything (she'd be unprofessional if she did) but if she does , just say that you fancied Jodie doing it this time.

But you never went willingly to Geraldine, so you're just going back to Jodie who was your hairdresser in the first place. Just phone to book and say you only want Jodie, twice Geraldine has gotten your colour wrong and twice it's been styled the opposite to what you've asked. If you go back again and they pawn you off on Geraldine again... Leave.

You're paying for a service. You don't need to put up with this.

I don't understand this at all. Why haven't you told Geraldine that you aren't happy with your hair? Why haven't you insisted the Jodie's does it? At your most recent appointment you should've said to Jodie that you had specifically requested an appointment with her because you like how she does it and don't like how Geraldine does it. You're paying for a service and they are running a business! It's their job to keep you happy!

I know 😞 wish I had more confidence

Totally not unreasonable. Slightly different but, at my old GP practice, I had it written on my file that I would never have an appointment with Dr XX. Not even an emergency phone call, I’d wait until the next day or speak to the pharmacist. Long story but she was such a bitch.

Find a whole new salon. They knew you specifically asked for Jodie and shifted you. I’m guessing no one wanted Geraldine to do their hair.

It’s completely fine to only book appointments with Jodie. If they try and shift you again, just say no thank you, your would prefer Jodie to do it. I doubt Geraldine will be upset it’s not like you are a regular client of hers, she just filled in when someone was sick/busy.

Maybe try a different salon altogether? … Try someone new, otherwise sounds like you’re going to keep getting put with this bad hairdresser… Nothing worse, you have my full sympathy OP, I have had a fair share of bad hairdressers and it totally knocks your confidence when your hairs not right doesn’t it😣

It’s totally fine to ask for someone specific.

Jodie passing you off to Geraldine the way she did today wasn’t fine at all and it would have been fine for you not to be ok with it. To say something along the lines of - I know you’re busy, but that’s why I specifically booked you in advance instead of just turning up and seeing if someone could fit me in. If I was fine with Geraldine doing it again I’d have booked her.

I think they’ve treated you a quite shoddily and you should look for a different salon, especially if you have trouble voicing your dissatisfaction when you need to, because they really aren’t looking out for you.

I had this exact thing happen. I feel your pain it’s awkward saying you don’t like someone then seeing them every time you have their cut. I used this line though.

Posted to soon

please can I have x do my hair I prefer the overall finish when she does it.

This way the focus isn’t on how bad the other person is but how good the normal girl is.

I had this with my eyebrows, so not as serious. In my case, both the good eyebrow woman and the shit eyebrow woman had the same name, so it was really had to specify. When I booked I would say I want "Laura with the black hair". I don't think there's anything wrong with specifying the stylist you prefer.

They've probably continued to put you with Geraldine because they're trying to find her new customers and you've pretended all is fine. You should've piped up the first time! (I know it's easier to be polite)

This exact same thing happened to me yesterday. Appointment booked with Jodie, got there and Jodie is doing someone else's hair so I'm put with Geraldine.

No one even apologised, I'm not going back to the salon. There are enough of them around that I choose not to reward crap customer service.

That situation sounds odd. I always get asked when I ring up who I usually have. Or they say, that time will be with Geraldine and I could say when is Jodue available please? Also they keep checking as they cut and style whether I'm happy with it.

I've had a similar situation, so annoying and I found it hard to speak up too - I felt they made it difficult for me on purpose actually! In the end I just left. I now pay less money for a hairdresser closer to my house and she's just as good as the original. So win win for me.

You have to fight

for your right

to Jodie!

😂

You can absolutely insist on Jodie. If you’re ambushed again, I’d say no thanks and you’ll come back another time.

😂 brilliant