Spinoff: Why is Professionalism So Hard to Come By in Salons?

[cocosweet]

After reading macherieamour's thread, I asked myself why is it so hard for us to get quality service at a salon? I mean I can count on half of one hand the salons I've gone to where my time and wishes were respected. And that's a doggone shame considering I grew up in the hair capitol of the country. There are beauty shops everywhere and still the problem persists. Could it be the kind of people who pursue hair styling as a trade just don't care? Its clear to me many of them know nothing of business etiquette.

Your thoughts?

 

[cocosweet]

 

[PinkSkates]

Maybe because "we" the consumer, allow and tolerate such un-professionalism and foolishness!!! Why on earth would I patronize a hair salon that could care less about my precious time, by keeping me waiting an hour past my appointment time. That is insane! My hubby and I are business owners; and we have loyal 10-year plus customers that we treat with kindness, respect and provide them with excellent customer service. It's simple for me; I spend my money at salons that truly believe in excellent customer service! Unfortunately, its usually upscale salons that are not minority-owned...but that's another thread Okay, I'm off my soap box!

 

[PaperClip]

Maybe because "we" the consumer, allow and tolerate such un-professionalism and foolishness!!! Why on earth would I patronize a hair salon that could care less about my precious time, by keeping me waiting an hour past my appointment time. That is insane! My hubby and I are business owners; and we have loyal 10-year plus customers that we treat with kindness, respect and provide them with excellent customer service. It's simple for me; I spend my money at salons that truly believe in excellent customer service! Unfortunately, its usually upscale salons that are not minority-owned...but that's another thread Okay, I'm off my soap box!

Enough said on the whole post but especially the bolded statement.

 

[Dak]

I wonder if it also has something to do with the training and certification process that schools offer. I've known 2 people that started training and quit because they could not tolerate the pettiness that they found in the people moderating the trainings. Like attracts like.

 

[macherieamour]

I think they also take advantage of our "need" to get our hair done frequently. There was a period of time when I hadn't felt my own hair wet for about 5 years. I would go every week to the dominican salon down the street. But I never really learned how to do my own hair (pre-lhcf)so I was stuck. When you have no other options, you will wait all day in a salon. I think these salons know that and take advantage of our patronage because...they can

 

[JD's Mom]

Too many of us think that only 'black' stylist can do our hair, so we don't venture out. Which means, we put up with all the non-sense. I got out of that mindset a few years ago, and haven't looked back.

 

[naijamerican]

Maybe because "we" the consumer, allow and tolerate such un-professionalism and foolishness!!! Why on earth would I patronize a hair salon that could care less about my precious time, by keeping me waiting an hour past my appointment time. That is insane! My hubby and I are business owners; and we have loyal 10-year plus customers that we treat with kindness, respect and provide them with excellent customer service. It's simple for me; I spend my money at salons that truly believe in excellent customer service! Unfortunately, its usually upscale salons that are not minority-owned...but that's another thread Okay, I'm off my soap box!

I totally and completely agree. If more people would pull a Macherieamour and take our behinds out of such establishments, MAKING IT CLEAR WHY WE ARE LEAVING, then I am quite positive such nonsense would not be allowed to flourish. We have lowered our standards of what constitutes sound behavior, so they (faulty business owners) abuse the situation further.

 

[Sasha Fierce]

I had a 4:00 appointment one afternoon and didnt leave the shop until 12:30 am! I was trying my best to be loyal to her shop since she had done my hair when she was at a bigger salon and had just started out on her own with this new shop. But she would book weaves, relaxers, etc. all at the same time points! I had to bounce.

Then there was another salon I went to for an 8 am appointment and the girl didnt come until 10:30. By then someone else had done everything to my hair leaving her only to style it.

After that I have been to a really pricey salon. I had an 8 am appoinment and the girl didnt even roll in until about 9am *smh* I'm sticking to this salon for now but I thought that was still trif and un-professional

 

[ShiShiPooPoo]

It seems that the more "upscale" salons give you a more professional experience but that still is not saying much sometimes. For me to get in and out in two hours I have to book an appt. at one of these type places. The last time I went to "Tromquandra" at "La Couiferes" or whatever, I was there until 9:00pm for a 4:30 appt. and she was an hour late and unapologetic at that.

 

[cocosweet]

Maybe because "we" the consumer, allow and tolerate such un-professionalism and foolishness!!! Why on earth would I patronize a hair salon that could care less about my precious time, by keeping me waiting an hour past my appointment time. That is insane! My hubby and I are business owners; and we have loyal 10-year plus customers that we treat with kindness, respect and provide them with excellent customer service. It's simple for me; I spend my money at salons that truly believe in excellent customer service! Unfortunately, its usually upscale salons that are not minority-owned...but that's another thread Okay, I'm off my soap box!

I totally and completely agree. If more people would pull a Macherieamour and take our behinds out of such establishments, MAKING IT CLEAR WHY WE ARE LEAVING, then I am quite positive such nonsense would not be allowed to flourish. We have lowered our standards of what constitutes sound behavior, so they (faulty business owners) abuse the situation further.

Can you imagine it, women leaving the salons en masse at noon on Saturday because they've been waiting since 9 A.M.? I would hope that salon owners would step up their game after being called to the carpet by their clientele. Too many of them have this "I don't care, they can go somewhere else," attitude. Which is what a lot more of us need to start doing. The lack of respect for time along with all the other foolishness mentioned in macherieamour's thread is why I am rarely in the salon anymore.

 

[Miss_Jetsetter]

This is exactly why I have decided to travel to Maryland to get my hair done. I was tired of folks playing in my head down here in Miami! Some of the stylists down here will never have the priveledge of doing my hair, sorry. I needed someone who not only had superior 'skillz' but respected my time and was a true professional. My stylist encompasses all of these things and a whole lot more!! It truly feels as though I am at a spa when I go to her. The last time I went to her I was in and how so fast that I actually had to try and see if I could catch an earlier flight back home! I had soooo much time to kill.

I cleary see why she is booked up almost six months in advance. Clearly see. Just like I feel as though it's a 'priveledge' to do my hair, i feel as a client of hers, it is a prveledge to have my hair done by such a skilled proffesional.

You just can't go wrong with that....

 

[northernbelle]

Any business transaction is a two-way proposition, hair care included. Not only do we need to demand professionalism on the part of hair care establishments, but we also need to seek out and patronize quality establishments in the first place. Furthermore, many hair care establishments need to learn how to run a business, and it's been my experience that Black hair care professionals by and large do not have business saavy. Again, this is my experience.

 

[SerenityBreeze]

Maybe we should state our complaints to the state board to include professional management in their state board exams.

 

[MizAvalon]

I think they also take advantage of our "need" to get our hair done frequently. There was a period of time when I hadn't felt my own hair wet for about 5 years. I would go every week to the dominican salon down the street. But I never really learned how to do my own hair (pre-lhcf)so I was stuck. When you have no other options, you will wait all day in a salon. I think these salons know that and take advantage of our patronage because...they can

BINGO!! We are the only women that "need" to get our hair done every week or two. Or who will opt out of doing something because our hair isn't "done". Black women are entirely too dependent on stylists, it's really sad.

A couple of weeks ago my Mom called me when she was on her way to get her hair done. It was a rescheduled appt. on a day that her stylist was usually off. She was worried that they stylist was going to forget and not show up. Then she said that if the stylsit didn't show up that she was going to "have to try and find some shampoo somewhere and wash my hair myself". Thank goodness we were on the phone and she couldn't see my face.

When buying shampoo and having to wash your OWN hair is a big deal, that is a sad state of affairs right there.

 

[balisi]

As a stylist, I would like to chime in. Professionalism certainly is hard to come by at most salons that are supposed to cater to the black female. I agree that this goes on because some black women feel that they have no choice. The waiting game has become part and parcel of the whole salon experience, or so we thought. I'm sure most, if not all of us have experienced extreme wait times, rude attitudes, and/or just plain substandard service in the salon.

The school I attended stressed the importance of excellent customer service (CS). If I remember correctly, the state board exam had only a couple of CS questions. So to some extent, the training a stylist receives is responsible for the level of CS. Regardless, I personally do my best to treat customers the way I would like to be treated, period.

What some may not realize is that sometimes salon management makes it difficult for stylists to do better concerning wait times, depending on their rules, which are not always in the customer's best interests. That is my biggest concern at my current place of employment. I manage to get around this for the most part, but I am bending the rules and my methods are not always foolproof. This is one of the reasons I'll be leaving as soon as I can.

I believe that the customer should come first. There are always extenuating circumstances that can put a stylist behind schedule, i.e., if her first customer of the day is late. But overbooking is a big problem as well. When I was practicing independently I let my customers know up front that their appointment time was set aside just for them. Therefore, they knew if they were late by 15 minutes or more, they would be charged a late fee. If I was late by 15 minutes or more, I would deduct a portion from the customer's service total. Because of this, lateness and last minute cancellations were never a problem, and I was never behind schedule.

As long as customers take the ish, the ish will be dished out. I believe that the quickest, most effective way this salon phenomenon will be changed is if customers force the change. Schools and individual stylists who care are not enough to effect the change. It's not enough for random individuals to never patronize another salon. I like the notion of customers acting en masse to get the industry's attention. What macherieamour did, we all (yes, me too because I like to get my hair did too ) should do.

To wrap this up, (finally ) please know that stylists are not all cut from the same cloth. We are all just like you, with families to take care of, bills to pay, etc. This is our livelihood. Some stylists are the devil incarnate, some are misquided, and some are angelic. When the revolution occurs, I would hope that the good ones don't have to suffer along with the bad. :wink2:

 

[Integrity]

Maybe we should state our complaints to the state board to include professional management in their state board exams.

an online petition right here on LHCF would be great. I would sign it in a heart beat!

 

[northernbelle]

As a stylist, I would like to chime in. Professionalism certainly is hard to come by at most salons that are supposed to cater to the black female. I agree that this goes on because some black women feel that they have no choice. The waiting game has become part and parcel of the whole salon experience, or so we thought. I'm sure most, if not all of us have experienced extreme wait times, rude attitudes, and/or just plain substandard service in the salon.

The school I attended stressed the importance of excellent customer service (CS). If I remember correctly, the state board exam had only a couple of CS questions. So to some extent, the training a stylist receives is responsible for the level of CS. Regardless, I personally do my best to treat customers the way I would like to be treated, period.

What some may not realize is that sometimes salon management makes it difficult for stylists to do better concerning wait times, depending on their rules, which are not always in the customer's best interests. That is my biggest concern at my current place of employment. I manage to get around this for the most part, but I am bending the rules and my methods are not always foolproof. This is one of the reasons I'll be leaving as soon as I can.

I believe that the customer should come first. There are always extenuating circumstances that can put a stylist behind schedule, i.e., if her first customer of the day is late. But overbooking is a big problem as well. When I was practicing independently I let my customers know up front that their appointment time was set aside just for them. Therefore, they knew if they were late by 15 minutes or more, they would be charged a late fee. If I was late by 15 minutes or more, I would deduct a portion from the customer's service total. Because of this, lateness and last minute cancellations were never a problem, and I was never behind schedule.

As long as customers take the ish, the ish will be dished out. I believe that the quickest, most effective way this salon phenomenon will be changed is if customers force the change. Schools and individual stylists who care are not enough to effect the change. It's not enough for random individuals to never patronize another salon. I like the notion of customers acting en masse to get the industry's attention. What macherieamour did, we all (yes, me too because I like to get my hair did too ) should do.

To wrap this up, (finally ) please know that stylists are not all cut from the same cloth. We are all just like you, with families to take care of, bills to pay, etc. This is our livelihood. Some stylists are the devil incarnate, some are misquided, and some are angelic. When the revolution occurs, I would hope that the good ones don't have to suffer along with the bad. :wink2:

Excellent points. I appreciate your POV (Point of View).

 

[macherieamour]

As a stylist, I would like to chime in. Professionalism certainly is hard to come by at most salons that are supposed to cater to the black female. I agree that this goes on because some black women feel that they have no choice. The waiting game has become part and parcel of the whole salon experience, or so we thought. I'm sure most, if not all of us have experienced extreme wait times, rude attitudes, and/or just plain substandard service in the salon.

The school I attended stressed the importance of excellent customer service (CS). If I remember correctly, the state board exam had only a couple of CS questions. So to some extent, the training a stylist receives is responsible for the level of CS. Regardless, I personally do my best to treat customers the way I would like to be treated, period.

What some may not realize is that sometimes salon management makes it difficult for stylists to do better concerning wait times, depending on their rules, which are not always in the customer's best interests. That is my biggest concern at my current place of employment. I manage to get around this for the most part, but I am bending the rules and my methods are not always foolproof. This is one of the reasons I'll be leaving as soon as I can.

I believe that the customer should come first. There are always extenuating circumstances that can put a stylist behind schedule, i.e., if her first customer of the day is late. But overbooking is a big problem as well. When I was practicing independently I let my customers know up front that their appointment time was set aside just for them. Therefore, they knew if they were late by 15 minutes or more, they would be charged a late fee. If I was late by 15 minutes or more, I would deduct a portion from the customer's service total. Because of this, lateness and last minute cancellations were never a problem, and I was never behind schedule.

As long as customers take the ish, the ish will be dished out. I believe that the quickest, most effective way this salon phenomenon will be changed is if customers force the change. Schools and individual stylists who care are not enough to effect the change. It's not enough for random individuals to never patronize another salon. I like the notion of customers acting en masse to get the industry's attention. What macherieamour did, we all (yes, me too because I like to get my hair did too ) should do.

To wrap this up, (finally ) please know that stylists are not all cut from the same cloth. We are all just like you, with families to take care of, bills to pay, etc. This is our livelihood. Some stylists are the devil incarnate, some are misquided, and some are angelic. When the revolution occurs, I would hope that the good ones don't have to suffer along with the bad. :wink2:

Thanks for this post!!! You should start a salon school or act as a consultant because from what Ive heard and gathered from your posts, you are the quintessential salon stylist. I wish there were more out there like you

 

[PinkSkates]

Originally posted by MizAvalon
BINGO!! We are the only women that "need" to get our hair done every week or two. Or who will opt out of doing something because our hair isn't "done". Black women are entirely too dependent on stylists, it's really sad.

A couple of weeks ago my Mom called me when she was on her way to get her hair done. It was a rescheduled appt. on a day that her stylist was usually off. She was worried that they stylist was going to forget and not show up. Then she said that if the stylsit didn't show up that she was going to "have to try and find some shampoo somewhere and wash my hair myself". Thank goodness we were on the phone and she couldn't see my face.

When buying shampoo and having to wash your OWN hair is a big deal, that is a sad state of affairs right there.

Unfortunately this is so true and so sad!!! I would probably still have a relaxer in my hair, had I been treated with more respect and dignity when I was going to a "black" salon every few weeks for my touchup. Maybe one day when women of color protest in the masses, will black-owned salons get the message to respect us as human beings and to respect our money that we spend in their salons.

 

[cocosweet]

As a stylist, I would like to chime in. Professionalism certainly is hard to come by at most salons that are supposed to cater to the black female. I agree that this goes on because some black women feel that they have no choice. The waiting game has become part and parcel of the whole salon experience, or so we thought. I'm sure most, if not all of us have experienced extreme wait times, rude attitudes, and/or just plain substandard service in the salon.

The school I attended stressed the importance of excellent customer service (CS). If I remember correctly, the state board exam had only a couple of CS questions. So to some extent, the training a stylist receives is responsible for the level of CS. Regardless, I personally do my best to treat customers the way I would like to be treated, period.

What some may not realize is that sometimes salon management makes it difficult for stylists to do better concerning wait times, depending on their rules, which are not always in the customer's best interests. That is my biggest concern at my current place of employment. I manage to get around this for the most part, but I am bending the rules and my methods are not always foolproof. This is one of the reasons I'll be leaving as soon as I can.

I believe that the customer should come first. There are always extenuating circumstances that can put a stylist behind schedule, i.e., if her first customer of the day is late. But overbooking is a big problem as well. When I was practicing independently I let my customers know up front that their appointment time was set aside just for them. Therefore, they knew if they were late by 15 minutes or more, they would be charged a late fee. If I was late by 15 minutes or more, I would deduct a portion from the customer's service total. Because of this, lateness and last minute cancellations were never a problem, and I was never behind schedule.

As long as customers take the ish, the ish will be dished out. I believe that the quickest, most effective way this salon phenomenon will be changed is if customers force the change. Schools and individual stylists who care are not enough to effect the change. It's not enough for random individuals to never patronize another salon. I like the notion of customers acting en masse to get the industry's attention. What macherieamour did, we all (yes, me too because I like to get my hair did too ) should do.

To wrap this up, (finally ) please know that stylists are not all cut from the same cloth. We are all just like you, with families to take care of, bills to pay, etc. This is our livelihood. Some stylists are the devil incarnate, some are misquided, and some are angelic. When the revolution occurs, I would hope that the good ones don't have to suffer along with the bad. :wink2:

You brought up some excellent points. Thank you so much for your input!

 

[lexi08]

Poor customer service, long waits and bad attitudes are the exact reasons I learned how to do my own hair 17 years ago. I have a really great stylist now and I have my relaxer touch ups done at the salon. I sometimes get roller sets and flatironing done, but I do my own hair most times. If for some reason my stylist is not available or decides she wants to change up on me, I can bounce. I have a backup person for relaxers and I can go to a Dominican salon for a rollerset if I don't feel like doing my hair.

 

[Covergirl5906]

It seems that the more "upscale" salons give you a more professional experience but that still is not saying much sometimes. For me to get in and out in two hours I have to book an appt. at one of these type places. The last time I went to "Tromquandra" at "La Couiferes" or whatever, I was there until 9:00pm for a 4:30 appt. and she was an hour late and unapologetic at that.

ITA, speaking from personal experience the "upscale" salons have their share of customer service issues too.....I agree with the poster that said it's because some have become to dependent on salons, that's why they feel as if they can get away with this nonsense!