I could not wait to get back home to write this review. Late last year I was referred by a family friend to a barber shop in Des Moines to get my teenage son's hair cut. The barber that cut his hair was decent, I felt like their prices were on the high side but I continued to go because my son liked it and the outcomes were good. Recently I received a text message from the barber, Charles, that the place he used to cut hair at was no longer offering these services and that appointments could be made with him at his new location inside of Prolific. So my son is in the chair, hair about a quarter of the way through the cut and I ask if they take cards? The answer was no (I hate businesses that don't take cards!). I inquired if there was an ATM anywhere nearby and was told there was a Chase on the corner. I asked how much was the cut. Charles told me $30. I knew he was joking. He wasn't. Shame on me for not asking first. This was more than double prices at his former business across the street. The brother wasn't even mindful enough to tell me at the time the appointment was made. As I make my way back into the business from the ATM, I notice a menu of the services listed as you walk in the door. It states that a Haircut is $20. I asked Charles the deal with that and he explained that he would only charge me $25. Normally, I would have gone off the reservation by now but I am extremely mindful of the lessons and the manner in which I have to teach my son. I also am extremely diligent in trying to turn over my dollar as many times as possible with small businesses (especially minority owned small businesses). Charles fed me this line that the new salon had a minimum charge for services. This ironically was totally different from the posted menu of prices at the front door. So, my son gets a haircut two to three times per month. While I was not able to always go to Des Moines, I was happy with the product. Instead of having a customer from now until at least graduation, spending $30-$60 per month for years, you have a disgruntled patron, with many colleagues and local relationships that will adamantly suggest they never set foot in this establishment due to shadiness. I HATE SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES. I'd like to add that the haircut my son received had no designs, no parts, just a simple fade with a line. I told Charles that if these were the parameters he had to work with, I respected his hustle, I just did not appreciate him hustling me. The brother stated that he understood and respected I had to make the choices I had to make. At least we could be mutually respectful of each other. As we left, I explained to my son my issues and we kept it moving having a great sunny Seattle afternoon. The issue here is not the $10. It's the principle. Don't give me some half-baked line about Prolific's rules are the minimum fees for services are $35. If these are the rules and you know I have always done business with you cutting my son's hair for half the money, tell me the price before you start to cut his hair. Hell, tell me when we are making the appointment. Don't spend that $10 spot in one place. To the owners of Prolific, I hope you are aware of what your contractors are saying to patrons that enter your establishment. I have paid a premium for my son's hair care before. At least the salon washed and dried his hair. When are folks going to learn the value of good business practices and relationships. My price designation below is Ultra High End. In no way was there a value correlation to this designation. In tribute to the late Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest, I simply say, Keep it Movin'.... I ain't got no time for shuckin' and jivin'. Peace! read more
