GOOD: The updated facility is very nice. Every stylist I've been to at this salon (Kristin, Julie and James) were all highly capable, nice and did a wonderful job. The front desk staff have always been extremely helpful and friendly too, with the exception of what appears to be a new gentleman who I met today and found to be inhospitable.
BAD: You're not going to be warmly welcomed by the reception with a beverage while you wait, you're unlikely to receive a hand massage or indulgent head massage during your wash at this place. So if you're looking for a high end experience to match the higher end prices (for the area) you will not find it here. You will have access to tea, maybe coffee (I've been told that it was burnt before so they wouldn't recommend it), water, and maybe some bitter wine. They may have soda too but I don't drink soda. The extra little touches often found in salons with this price structure aren't available here, just the minimum to skirt by. I've overheard staff talk about the difficulties with building and fostering a team spirit and good working environment and it's palpable to feel and see in the deficiencies of the way the salon is run with an owner centric approach rather than a customer centric approach. The owner is lucky to have good stylists willing to put up with these antics because his employees are the best thing about the salon. It's too bad he shackles them with the repercussions of his poor leadership decisions.
UGLY: Speaking of just the minimum. When I started going to this salon the owner had a policy of not allowing the stylists to receive tips on a debit or credit card transaction and only accepted cash tips. Needless to say I forgot twice and found myself driving to the nearest ATM miles down the road to get cash tip and return. It was a huge inconvenience to have to always carry cash on me for tip when I would go there. But, he recently changed his policy and I was thrilled. With that said, the owner's policies are the reason I will never patron the business again. I've had two unfortunate situations with questionable decisions made by the owner. I paid over a thousand dollars for extensions. The first application was great and I returned exactly on time for them to be lifted and reapplied. After the first lift and reapplication, within a short time, they had started sliding and were gummy and falling out. I had followed care instructions provided to me to a "T" and there were no changes in my routine from the first time to the second time. The stylist was able to get me right in but didn't have time to reapply before my business trip. I was told that the owner only approved removing them at no additional cost but if I wanted them to reapply, or wash the gummy adhesive out of my hair, and touch up my hair cut that I would have to pay for that. I chose to have the stylist wash and trim my hair and she split the cost with me out of her pocket and mine rather than the business owner's. The owner called me promptly at MY request and indicated that he previously didn't have all the details when he gave his directives to his staff on how to handle the situation. He also indicated that his employees do have to pay for comped services from their own pocket and he said "she shouldn't have told you that." I gave him the benefit of the doubt. He gave me the cost of the wash and trim (my half) back in a credit. So I essentially spent over a thousand dollars on extensions that I was only able to wear less than half the time I was told that they would last at minimum. I walked away shocked that he felt no desire to do the right thing from the beginning and doing the very bare minimum only after I asked to speak with him. My first time going back after that incident I called and made an appointment for later the same day for a simple root touch up. I showed up early and was greeted coldly by the male receptionist. I took a seat and waited a little more than ten minutes. A stylist came out to inform me that the stylist that was supposed to provide my service was in the middle of a balayage gone bad crisis that she was trying to fix and so my service was canceled. I was told she was sorry and that she even checked with the owner and that he said that there was nothing else they can do except cancel my appointment. She also worked in that I had "just booked today"...I remember thinking "what does that have to do with anything". I told her I was disappointed and had left work early and drove from another town. She just reiterated that the owner said there's nothing they can do. I thanked her for letting me know and let her know that she could inform the owner that there wouldn't be a need for me to ever use the small credit on my account from the last situation.
I share this in hopes of a)managing your expectations should you patron the business (the stylists are great!) and b) to possibly save you time and money should you be considering a more costly service. read more