Disclaimer: I am a very positive person who really tries to avoid drama in my life. Lately, it seems that my hair has been involved in one drama story after another. I was hesitant to post this before getting all of the facts straight. I really don't like to speak negatively about people, however, I felt this was important to post so here goes :
My mother/daughter duo charges $85 for the first 3 hours, then $25 an hour afterwards. It takes them a little under 3 hours to finish my hair. When I went for my retightening Monday, i was told that "to be fair, and given the amount of hair that you have, we think the price really should be adjusted". They reasoned that if I was going to one person, it would take at least 6 hours to finish my hair and I would pay much more than $85. While this is true, the reason why I sought them out is because they advertise the fact that there are two of them which will shorten your retightening time. So whether you have 300 locks, 450 locks, or 600 locks, you pay the set price. But, just because I have 680 locks, I should pay more off the top? Wow.....
Well, needless to say, I was blown away. I felt that there was more to this then they were letting on. It turns out that they had a conversation with my previous consultant and found out how much I use to pay when going to her. Based on another conversation I was made privy to, I believe that they used this as a basis to up my price. For the sake of background info, my last consultant charged $85 for the first 3 hours and $15 an hour afterwards. But, she wanted to split my appointments into two days at $85 the first day and $25 an hour the second day which would have been $185 out of my pocket. Besides conflicts to my schedule, I am a new home owner on a extremely tight budget (due to my nice mortgage bill) and could not fit $185 in my budget for hair every 5 weeks.
Now, I do understand that people have to make their bread and butter. Sisterlocks can be very time consuming for the client and the consultant. As you know from my previous experience, my first consultant took 12-13 hours to retighten my hair. I stuck with her for awhile because I didn't know any better at the time. But now, I don't want to be played for a fool. The biggest problem i have with paying by the hour is that the consultants don't work consistently yet don't stop the clock. On Monday, both consultants stopped for at least 20 minutes to do other things and that added time to my count. Was that fair? I don't think so. For a 3 hour interval, they get paid the same amount of money despite the number of locks. Is $85 fair for two people? Probably not, but they set that price and after my 3 1/2 hour session (which should have been 3 hours flat), they moved right on to the next person. So why should I be charged more if they are doing my hair in the same amount of time as someone with 300 locks?
So I asked what the new price would be and I was told $125 flat was fair. They also said that they wont be upset if i decide not to come back. To be honest, I don't think $125 is unfair, I just don't like the reasoning behind the change especially since they never complained about my hair before now. Man, discouragement comes in many forms.....
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Hmmm that is reall something else. Them raising your price just doesn't make sense. If they have a 3 hour flat rate of 85.00 then any extra time spent doing your hair should be captured in the overage fee of 25.00 each add'l hour.
I am also not trying to say that they don't put in work but goodness. Did they say that would be your rate the next time you come or did they start that charge immediately? Also how can they tell you that they will be upset if you don't come back....it is like saying "we know you can afford this so don't even trip"...perhaps that isn't what they meant at all but it definitely sounds fishy.
I agree Tra, it sounded reallly fishy. They told me that the increased price would apply on my next visit. I was really dissapointed because I really like them and felt I had finally found the right consultants for me. All the more reason for me to take this class so I can learn everything there is to know to maintain my own hair.
This is sad. If it takes them the same amount of time, no matter the amount of locks you have, this seems a bit unfair. I also, don't think talking with your previous consultant was cool either. Glad you are taking the class. I am charged hourly and my consultant is real good about not doing other things while taking care of my hair. Good luck!
I love Sisterlocks, but reading experiences like these makes me wish there was some sort of standard pricing or guidelines accountability established (and enforced) by the home office. I understand why there isn't, but it's just a shame that there are individuals who will take advantage.
I'm sorry for all the drama you're having. Hang in there!
Woah... That's some Bull! I completely understand your dilemma. I can understand their increase, but come on if you started with an original price. I am SOOOO glad that you are finally set to take the class. I absolutely loved the mother/daughter duo that worked on my head (and when visitng to that area, I plan to go back to them), but the autonomy I have now is priceless.
I pay 125.00 flat regardless of the time spent. My consultant normally takes 4 hrs. to tighten me without assistance. I agreed it is not fair, but I think that the consultants know you are stuck with them and they can and may take advantage of us. The 125.00 every 5 weeks hurts my pocket too. My consultant is the only one in my city and she knows it. I can feel you, do you think you will be able to re-tighten yourself eventually ?
Post a Comment