The first step in getting a good review is getting the client in the door. I hope this Salon is as good as the snooty attitudes on the other end of the phone seem to feel they are. They are "very busy".
I had a great relationship with my previous stylist for several years. Happy for her and sad for me, she married and moved to the other coast. I have been in hair stylist limbo for several months now.
I originally called to schedule an appointment with Ernie at Seventh Stage after I met some random stranger in Publix with fantastic hair. Ernie was nice enough on the phone but said he was already working long hours and couldn't possibly take me on. He passed me on to Alesha. She got on the phone and was rather curt and maybe offended as I asked her questions about her experience. She did find me an appointment and I scheduled hesitantly with her. Remember, she is just a voice over the phone. I had never met her or seen any of her work.
After I got off the phone I did some research which made me feel much more at ease. It appeared that Alesha comes highly recommended according to several reviews. I was excited to meet Alesha and get my hair done. Keep in mind that this whole transaction took place in the Publix parking lot.
Fast forward a few weeks. I am thinking "I thought I had a hair appointment. When is it?" I thumbed through the calendar on my phone and couldn't find the appointment anywhere. I actually couldn't even remember the name of the Salon, but I knew it had a number in it. Lol. Thank you Yelp search!
So I find the number and call today. A nice man's voice answers (Ernie?) and passes me to Alesha. I tell her who I am and she curtly lets me know that I missed my appointment on the 5th. I apologized and told her that I must not have saved the appointment that I created in my phone. I asked if they typically confirm appointments and she said no. She puts me on hold. After about 5 minutes the man's voice comes back on "Alesha is doing a color. She is really busy and she said you were a no-show". I agreed, apologized and tried to explain that it was a simple mistake and I must have not saved the appointment on my phone. I requested a reschedule. The man says that usually you get one shot. WTF does that mean? At this point I am a bit annoyed and I said I would like to schedule an appointment but I am not in the habit of begging for one. I am again put on hold. My husband is telling me to hang up on them. about another 5 minutes later a nice older woman's voice comes on the phone and introduces herself as Debbie. I am imagining the curl set lady that most salons have. The lady that all the old ladies go to. KWIM? Forgive Debbie, I don't know you, your education or skills. I only know that I have been bounced around to three stylists and I have been a bad bad girl because I missed an appointment. I, being the smart ass that I can be, say "are you the red-headed stepchild of the salon, do you get all the no-shows?", or something pretty damn close to that. Debbie is obviously offended. And I tell her I was just kidding. It was a joke, in poor taste, but a joke. There has obviously been discussion and judgment about me on their side just as I have judged on my side of the phone. At any rate, Debbie says "we are not interested" and hangs up.
Seriously! This had better be the best F***ing salon in Tampa. A salon that has the luxury of passing judgment on unknown clients and picking and choosing them. I feel like Seventh Stage might be better off creating an application of sorts. It could include a picture and a hair history to see if the client met the standard that is allowed in this salon.
I have not made the cut. Bummer. However, I don't feel like I should have to beg a salon to be kind to me, to be so bold as to make a phone call to confirm or reschedule, all before taking the $200 or so that I have to pay to get my freaking hair done.
I don't do pompous, condescending or patronizing very well. If that is your thing then, boy, do I have a salon for you!
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