Exterior
They are located in a fairly new strip mall / plaza…read moreoff CH James Parkway. There are a lot of empty suites, so there's plenty of parking.
Interior
The interior is pretty small but it was later in the day and there were only 2 other customers so it wasn't bad. It was a little smokey from the blow-dryer services, but they said they'd opened the door to let the place air out shortly before my arrival.
Price / Value
Awful. The price posted is NOT the price you will be charged.
I asked about the price for a relaxer, on the phone - before my arrival. I was told that the price depended on the several things, length of hair, amount of time since your last relaxer. I understand a price increase if you have more new growth.
It had been 12 weeks since my last relaxer - so I was not considered 'virgin' status. When visiting a salon or at home, I don't use flat irons or blow dryers, so it was a roller set, with a dry wrap that I would comb down later.
I even confirmed the price on the price list when I arrived.
Once my service was complete, they presented me with a bill for $123. I was told that this was the price for a relaxer and a wash (shampoo). Even on the price list, relaxer is $75 and wash is $40 - and that equals $115 so I have no idea what the other $8 was for. I also have no idea what wash / rollers is versus a wash / set. I thought it was called a roller set.
In this case, what they did amounted to both consumer fraud and a Ga State Board violation.
I told the stylist that there is no way to perform a relaxer service without shampooing the hair and asked why they list it this way, if there is no way to actually pay just $75 for a relaxer. She said sometimes people 'just get a relaxer.' I asked if they are truly allowing clients to walk out with a chemical relaxer on their hair, without washing it with a neutralizing shampoo. I told them I was fairly certain this would be a violation of cosmetology board practices because untrained, unlicensed people cannot buy or work with sodium hydroxide relaxers.
I reached out to the Georgia Secretary of State Cosmetology Board and it took a while, but they confirmed that because a chemical relaxer can only be performed by a licensed stylist, and because that service actually includes a shampoo and cannot be performed without one, a salon cannot describe or sell a relaxer service in the way Yeimy's is doing it.
In other words, a salon can't simply apply a chemical / relaxer to a customer's hair, then let that customer walk out with that chemical on their hair and let the customer handle the rest on their own.
The chemical / hair MUST be neutralized, so at the very least, the stylist has to shampoo it with a neutralizing shampoo - making the shampoo part of the chemical relaxer service. And to reiterate, that entire process must be performed by a licensed professional.
Customer Service
Awful. As soon as I questioned the validity / asked why I was being charged $123 instead of $75, my stylist all of sudden started struggling to understand English. It became very clear that this is just something they deliberately do to price-gouge the customer. I was beyond frustrated and disappointed. I did not want to 'cause a scene,' so I told them I would call back to speak to the owner so that we could continue our discussion in private, away from the other, remaining customer. When I called back, I was told the owner wasn't available and would call me back. I never heard back.
I am a small business owner myself. And it pains me to write a review about another small business owner, but this is indefensible treatment.
Overall
Overall, my hair actually looked good - but their actions and behavior after the services were performed is why they get 0 stars. I'm posting this review to warn others.
If you have experienced this issue with this salon or any other salon, here are the links you can use to file a complaint -
https://consumer.georgia.gov/resolve-your-dispute/how-do-i-file-complaint/consumer-complaint-form#no-back
and
https://goals.sos.ga.gov/GASOSOneStop/s/licensee-search
- Select Business or Individual
- Select Profession Type: Cosmetology and Barbers,
- Enter License# COSA058658 or you can search by name
- Click Search.
Once the record displays, click File A Complaint.
It's time we started holding these salons accountable and taking measures to ensure that they adhere to the safety and ethics practices dictated by the cosmetology board.
