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Edit 2/4/2014
I was recently contacted by the stylist, Miles, who did my hair at the visit referenced in my review below. He sent a message explaining his pricing and where the issue might have been. He also offered me a discount if I wanted to go back to Salon Montage. Unfortunately, I found a salon that I am pleased with, but I appreciate that Miles took the time to follow up. As I said in my original review: "the 45 mins I spent in the chair was great." I still maintain that. Thanks Miles!
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I am a huge Aveda fan - I recently moved to the area and had my hair cut and colored at an Aveda salon in my old city - so naturally, I was drawn to this salon.
Everything on the website seemed positive, especially the price and location. I called to make an appointment for a cut and they were able to fit me in the next day - MUCH appreciated. When I made the appointment with the receptionist, I asked how much I would be charged and she gave me the amount (which was a fantastic price for Aveda quality).
I walked in the front door for my appointment and there wasn't anyone at the front counter and only one other person in the entire front area - a woman standing sloppily in the cosmetics area, who casually looked up at me when I walked in. No smile, no "how can I help you"...nothing. So I stood awkwardly at the front desk for a few minutes (with the other lady still standing in the same place not attending to me) until the receptionist came from the back. She was very nice and retrieved my stylist who greeted me and took my coat and scarf.
My conversation with my stylist was great and thorough and his massage was FANTASTIC. He didn't talk too much, which I actually appreciated and my cut was really nice. The 45 mins I spent in the chair was great.
However, at the end of the cut and dry, the receptionist was nowhere to be found AGAIN, and the stylist had to check me out. AND, he charged me $20 MORE than what the receptionist told me I would be charged the day before. WHY??!!!!
I'm not sure if he raised his price because he felt like it in the moment or if he charged me for an additional service, or if the receptionist I scheduled with was clueless on pricing. The stylist did curl my hair after the cut, so if the $20 was for that, I didn't ask for it and he didn't tell me I'd be charged more for it. Or, if it was an additional charge for the blow-dry, which was required for additional cutting and "texturizing". (One of my salon pet-peeves: being charged for blow-drying if my cut required it!)
Anyway, I was incredibly frustrated that I was blindsided with the hike in price. In addition to that, I didn't feel very welcomed or that anyone in the salon was glad I was there (hello, I'm helping you get a paycheck AND tipping you AND hopefully telling all my new friends to visit too).
I don't think I'll be going back. Who knows how much I'll be charged next time and I'd like to find a place that is more welcoming. read more