Interesting

I notice most of the natural hair salons here in Atlanta charge a consultation fee and a first time appointment fee that you have to pay up front. When I say upfront, I mean before they'll set the appointment. Of course both fees are applied to your balance when you're served, but they won't take an appointment or reserve a spot for you without getting their money. While I certainly understand why they do this, I don't get why they do this. As a customer it sends a negative message to me with respect to what you think of me as a customer; ie. I'm not going to show up or have the courtesy to call to cancel? Are we as black women really regarded by our own as being that raggedy?

My son's doctor and dentist charge a cancellation fee if they're not given 24 hrs notice, but it does not have to be paid in advance. Also, another point they're doctors and dentist and it's $25, the salons are at $50. I know they're specialist, but I don't think the training is equivalent to a medical degree. Is it me or is some of this a bit much?

Anyway, my rant is over.

$50 bucks!!That is ridiculous! My goodness. Is it just the natural salons? If so, they have really separated themselves from their peers. Attorneys don't do that. Wow! Thanks for letting me know. I was thinking of contacting Urbanbella, but I guess not.

You know I don't know if it's just natural salons, but I've never had it with other salons. My sister gets her hair done at a pretty swanky salon in Buckhead and when I asked her about it she looked at me like I had two heads and said of course not, so I don't know if it's other types of salons.

I hadn't even thought about attorneys. You're right. They don't do it either.

Regarding Urbanbella - I have heard wonderful things about it. I don't think you should let this deter you from going. I'm just too lazy to go to Buckhead. LOL. I plan to go to Curltopia for a trim and color and will have to pay the fee, but I'm just saying, I just think it's interesting that it's becoming a practice.

wow, that is interesting. do you atleast get the $50 back if you actually show up to the appointment? and why would a first time customer have to pay more just because its their first time at that particualr salon? i've never heard of that. At home first timers usually get a discount..

You know this natural hair thing is big business and everybody is capitalizing on it. So, I guess they are too. Neither of my stylists in ATL charged for consults when I was relaxing. Maybe we are in the wrong profession- LOL

its the same way in Houston for natural salons but it also poses some business ethic questions. what if i pay you upfront for the "free" consultation and Im not impressed with the salons products, services, technique... and i dont come back for a service. my consultation is no longer "free". I guess they do it to avoid being gyped by the raggedy jeffas who will come in for a consultation take up 3 hours of the stylists time just to get all the professional advice about pattern, texture, curl, products, routines yadda yadda ya and not even come back for an actual service or even tip the person who just stood on their feet and talked to you about hair that they will never see again. If thats the case they should have a flat fee for 30 minute consultation I see that being more appropriate as it wont offend potential customers and the stylist wont miss out on money making opportunities

Hmmm. I wonder if you get $50 if the stylist doesn't get to you at the scheduled time. If I had $50 for each time I'd arrived on time only to have to wait 30 - 60 minutes because the stylist is overbooked or running late. Then of course, you're sitting in a chair with water running down your neck while she 'finishes' up this client 'real quick'. For charges like that, you should get undivided attention and no waiting.

KCC09 wrote:wow, that is interesting. do you atleast get the $50 back if you actually show up to the appointment? and why would a first time customer have to pay more just because its their first time at that particualr salon? i've never heard of that. At home first timers usually get a discount..

The deposit is taken off your bill so you're not charged extra and it's not a first time customer thing. It's for all appointments!

Madeaj wrote:Hmmm. I wonder if you get $50 if the stylist doesn't get to you at the scheduled time. If I had $50 for each time I'd arrived on time only to have to wait 30 - 60 minutes because the stylist is overbooked or running late. Then of course, you're sitting in a chair with water running down your neck while she 'finishes' up this client 'real quick'. For charges like that, you should get undivided attention and no waiting.

Madeaj,

You make a very good point, but no, they still double book. I'm told the service is worth the wait, but you will be there for a minute getting your hair done, so you know that could only be due to double booking.

I'm glad it's not just me moaning. I thought this kinda uncool.

blkbeauty2010 wrote:its the same way in Houston for natural salons but it also poses some business ethic questions. what if i pay you upfront for the "free" consultation and Im not impressed with the salons products, services, technique... and i dont come back for a service. my consultation is no longer "free". I guess they do it to avoid being gyped by the raggedy jeffas who will come in for a consultation take up 3 hours

LOL @ you Blkbeauty. I use raggedy all the time, but jeffas is my new word. I love it! And I agree, the quality of the consultation could go down since the stylist has already been paid. You know how some people do once they have money in hand.

Hey Renny,

I think its just the natural hair salons that charge this fee because I've been to other salons in Atl and haven't been charged this upfront fee. I figured they did this because people woud cancel at the last minute, but to me it makes you think twice before booking with the salon.

Krazy,

I did a little survey with a few permed heads last night and they confirmed that they had never heard of such an animal.

I know people cancel and no show on them, but they do it in regular salons too. Cancellations are a part of operating a service oriented business. That's why most people double and triple book to make sure they have a steady flow of customers irregardless of the no shows.

I can't say I won't go to the salon, because I have to make sure I don't get my hair jacked up, but I will say the practice gave me pause.

Also, does that mean that if you set foot in there...anything you get done will at least cost $50 ????
This is crazy....I guess i'll be doing my hair for a long time....
I dont know if they are doing that here in the Dallas area..

Also, does that mean that if you set foot in there...anything you get done will at least cost $50 ????

That's what I was wondering about. Goodness! That's a lot!

Yes ladies. They don't do very much for less than $50. Haircuts, steam hydrations, but I'm thinking steam and some of the other cheaper things would be done in conjunction with other services so it'd bump up past $50.

I actually just checked the website of the shop I'm going to and it says $25. I would have sworn they told me $50 on the phone, but I called a few shops and I might have it twisted; that or their website isn't current.

Yeah, I also think it's unique to natural hair salons. There is this salon in Central Florida that charges a consultation fee, as well--not just for 1st timers. You get charged a consultation fee each time (about $25). And this is before they actually do anything to your hair. This is part of the reason I stick to doing my hair myself. This salon will have you spending up to $75 on simple twists. o__O

This is precisely why I stick to Cutie's House of Beauty...aka my kitchen or bathroom for all my salon care needs. I offer a variety of product lines and I'm never double booked.

@Justice - Where's Cuties at? You didn't tell me about Cuties.

Oh, heck, I'm slow. Girl, you talking about your house. You're so crazy. Then can I come over there for some color and a trim? LOL, Cutie.

Too funny Justice-- I hope some of those natural stylist take a look at this thread.

LOL girl yes...That is the beauty of Cutie's. You can get service whenever.