I was scheduled Saturday at 3 and my son at 3:30 with two different people and my person canceled the day before which is pretty last minute. They asked me to come in at 2:30 and I agreed. Mind you, I live in Kalamazoo and travel to Grand Rapids to get my hair cut because I truly enjoyed my experience here with Alejandro and Stephanie. I assumed all of the stylists were equally as amazing and had no doubt my and my son's haircuts were in good hands. I assumed wrong.
Carson would be working on both of us. I chose to have my son go first. I said I wanted a little cut to maintain the curl in his hair. I clarified I did not want it too short and she agreed. She proceeded to barely wet his hair and cut it while mostly dry. When she was finished he was a mess! And, his hair looked awfully short. I was reluctant to proceed with her but I also didn't want to back out since her time was blocked out so I sat in the chair. I showed her a photo of what Alejandro had done before (which I absolutely loved) and she said it would be no problem. By the time she was finished I could see the damage was done so I asked her not to style my hair and just let it air dry. I paid and rescheduled with Alejandro and Stephanie (NOT with Carson). I left pretty upset and it wasn't until my husband said my bangs looked too short and uneven and my son's curls were gone that I broke down. I then called the salon and spoke with someone at the front desk. She said I could return and have Carson fix the issue or get a 20.00 refund. My family had several plans for the evening and I didn't have time to return without canceling them. Remember, I'm from Kalamazoo. And 20.00 didn't seem like a fair resolution. With these two only options, I didn't know what to do. I was put in an awkward position. The woman I was speaking with then transfered me to Cat (one of the owners) without any warning or explanation. Cat answered and sounded annoyed right off the bat. She said, "what's the problem?". I explained my problem to her and the challenge of returning and she said. " Carson specializes in texture so I don't know what the problem is. I've already told you what we can do and you're telling me nothing here, I just can't make you happy. What do you want", in the most condescending tone possible. I told her I didn't know what to do and that saying anything at all was difficult for me since I shy away from confrontation. I was trying to reason with her and see that maybe she was trying to help but she just sounded annoyed and upset with me. I asked her if she was annoyed with me to verify and she began to act odd. She accused me of yelling at her which although frustrated I NEVER did. I asked her to let me speak and she would speak over me and I asked her to refrain from doing so so I could come to some sort of agreement with her. She then said I was insulting by saying I wouldn't want to work with Carson and that I would prefer to work with someone else and would feel the need to tip them because I respect their time but that would cost me more money and I'd be paying more for Carson's mistakes. I proceeded to tell her I was not attempting to insult her stylists which is why I would want to tip them. Then she said, I can't have you talk to me like this and I said, "wait, what's happening here. I'm upset but I'm not insulting you nor yelling, I really want to fix this". After the way this owner treated me I requested a full refund and cancelation of my future appointments. She then hung up on me. I called back and was totally confused as to why she was doing this. I told her that was why I was so afraid of speaking up for myself because some people never want to hear you and shut you down. She was this kind of person. She said, "I agreed to cancel your appointments and refund you, bye." Then hung up a second time. I was in tears. This could have gone very different with a little compassion and understanding.
This was the absolute worst experience and it totally could have been avoided. They have a sign in their bathroom about loving more. This owner needs to study that sign. I was treated poorly and my and my son's hair have to wait at least 8 weeks before this can look normal.
I know for a fact that Alejandro and Stephanie are the bomb stylists. I am not advising to not go to this salon. I am sharing my experience and I know whoever reads this has a good head on their shoulders and will make the best choice for themselves. Be aware that if you do get a bad haircut you and speak with the owner, Cat Visokay, you will most likely be met with a harsh attitude and little to no care and compassion. read more