I tried out a new salon tonight. I keep bouncing around trying to find my happy place at a price I can manage.
They didn’t mention this to me on booking, but just this week they have started a new policy where they charge by the hour. No gratuities. Your charge includes processing time as they are no longer double booking clients. It was explained to me that this will allow the stylist to focus on one client and making sure they get all the services they need without worrying about an a la carte price.
I was there tonight for four hours. I had a haircut, partial highlights and a gloss treatment for $247. At the last nicer salon I went to I had partial highlights, lowlights, a toner, haircut and blow out for $216 (including tips$
Anyway I was just wondering if this is now “a thing.” And why. I have super thick hair and it always has taken longer than average to process so that sucks for me.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Dec 4, 2019 22:41:09 GMT -5
$250 (incl tip) sounds about what I charge when I go to hair Cuttery (Lol, in FL for that matter) for that exact service, so definitely not a fancy place. I have a ton of hair though, fine, but a ton of it and it needs triple the amount of stuff they use. Yaaay me.
But I’ve never heard of an hourly charge. I don’t love non- upfront pricing at all. I was once bitten by a salon that didn’t quote me (and I didn’t ask) and they charged me almost 400$ for a haircut and highlights. I cried when i got in the car. So now I ask every time bc I never want to be surprised like that again.
I don’t know that I’d love the hourly bc one person could take longer than another, couldn’t they? They already factor in length and volume every salon I’ve ever been in. I’d rather they just raise prices then leave my charge open ended.
Last Edit: Dec 4, 2019 22:41:43 GMT -5 by Leeham Rimes
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
I just started seeing a new stylist who charges by the hour. Her reasoning is from a gender-neutral perspective - why should a man’s haircut be cheaper than a woman’s whose might be just as fast? Or take more time, even.
I have blue hair that I just had redone on Sunday. We didn’t bleach it this time, just applied more color. That took an hour and my cut took 30 minutes. It was $147 before tip. (That was less than I was expecting to pay.)
My stylist does double-book, though, because she’s a single-person salon. It’s just her, so if she can squeeze in a 30-45 minute cut while someone else’s color is processing, she will.
ETA: She’s also good about saying how long she expects an appointment to last. For fantasy colors, she requires a (free) consultation, at which point she’ll determine how long she expects it to be, so she can give an estimated price.
I would never go to a place that charges by the hour unless they had a "book price" like a mechanic. Why would I pay more if someone was slow? Maybe the places I go to aren't fancy, but I've seen stylists folding towels or taking a break while I am processing. Why should I pay for that? It usually takes about 3.5 hours for me to get a color, cut, and blow out and I pay about $160 with tip.
Post by alleinesein on Dec 4, 2019 22:48:59 GMT -5
I have a friend who is a stylist who does an hourly rate for color that requires more than just normal processing time. If you want pastels, vibrants, multi-color or unicorn hair, she charges $125 an hour and it is a minimum of 4-8 hours.
Post by mccallister84 on Dec 4, 2019 22:57:42 GMT -5
I just recently made the leap to coloring my hair and going to a salon instead of just Great Clips. She doesn’t charge by the hair but she told me she couldn’t quote me a price without seeing me/my hair. The initial consultation was free and then she quoted me from there - both a price and a time commitment. I am assuming she charged partially based on how long it would take her. FWIW I paid $107 for Demi permanent color (just one color), cut, blow and loose styling and was there just under 2 hours.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
Post by Leeham Rimes on Dec 4, 2019 23:06:59 GMT -5
What are they doing during your hair processing? My stylist leaves the building. I don’t know how I feel about being charged like a taxi service charges when they sit and wait for you, lol. I guess I’m already charged that now, as it’s all inclusive, but my knee jerk reaction is I don’t like being charged outright for idle time. My stylist never double books, don’t know if that matters.
I do want to ask his take on this. I hope I remember this next time. I’m all about fair wages for workers and I tip very well, (about 30% bc even though it’s a lower end salon, his work was way better than the $400 salon, and I appreciate his artistry.) so it’s not like I’m cheap. Just seems like an odd way to charge that could leave a lot of room for unexpected charges or sticker shock. I need to know exactly what I’m paying bc I budget for my hair. It’s fine if it’s $300 ( or whatever) but I need to know that before hand so when I go, I can afford it and a tip. I don’t like $ surprises. At all.
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
It’s not unusual but I’m not sure if it’s the most efficient way to do things. I love my stylist, but she is definitely on the slower side. It doesn’t bother me, but I’m not sure I’d like it if she charged by the hour. I’ve gone to other stylists at the salon when she’s been on maternity leave, etc., and they have taken 20-30 minutes less than my stylist.
Post by Shreddingbetty on Dec 5, 2019 0:32:07 GMT -5
I don’t think I would like that. My guy almost always has another client while I’m processing. Why shouldn’t he as it usually takes about 45 minutes. My cut takes about 1-1.5h. Plus he is chatty, not just with me but with people that come in, gives them a hug etc. That doesn’t bother me at all but it would if I’m paying b the hour. They could really drag their feet just to get paid more. I like to know what I’m in for money wise when I go in. I go to Denver and pay 185 for highlights and color (not including tip)
I have mixed feelings. I think it seems fair for a cut but maybe not for other services?
My H and i go to the same salon and usually book cuts at the same time (we used to have 1 car so it was easier). Last time I didnt bother with a blow dry since it was 8pm, and my hair actually took less time than his for some reason. I paid $40 more for mine, though, which seems a bit unfair. So hourly would make things less unbalanced in some ways.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Dec 5, 2019 6:38:44 GMT -5
For a simple cut, I can kinda see this being beneficial, though my shampoo would no longer be as relaxing knowing I’m in a billable hour. And wouldn’t you still have the issue that some stylists take longer/go slower than others?
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
My salon doesn’t do this but it’s interesting. My stylist recently posted something on her Instagram about how today’s color techniques/trendy looks take much more time and effort. It wasn’t bitching but an educational tone, encouraging clients to allow enough time and have patience. (I think some of that is on the salon though because no one has ever told me how much time I should expect.) So this might be a response to salons seeing that they can take on fewer clients in a day than previously?
What are they doing during your hair processing? My stylist leaves the building. I don’t know how I feel about being charged like a taxi service charges when they sit and wait for you, lol. I guess I’m already charged that now, as it’s all inclusive, but my knee jerk reaction is I don’t like being charged outright for idle time. My stylist never double books, don’t know if that matters.
I do want to ask his take on this. I hope I remember this next time. I’m all about fair wages for workers and I tip very well, (about 30% bc even though it’s a lower end salon, his work was way better than the $400 salon, and I appreciate his artistry.) so it’s not like I’m cheap. Just seems like an odd way to charge that could leave a lot of room for unexpected charges or sticker shock. I need to know exactly what I’m paying bc I budget for my hair. It’s fine if it’s $300 ( or whatever) but I need to know that before hand so when I go, I can afford it and a tip. I don’t like $ surprises. At all.
During my processing (45ish mins) she called her boyfriend and chatted with the other stylists, which I think is standard when you aren’t double booked haha. When she washed me out after my highlights she left me in the sink for 10ish minutes to go mix the gloss. At the time I thought nothing of it, but now knowing about the hourly charge maybe she should have done it right at the end of my processing to keep things moving. I’m mostly being facetious, but I don’t like thinking that way lol.
When she was explaining to me about the charging she was like “for example, I gave you a gloss because I thought you needed one. In the past clients might decline that because of the cost but now it’s just all wrapped up into your services.” Well. Ok. Except that gloss kept me at the salon almost an extra hour which by their system is about $60 lol (I have no idea how much a gloss would cost regularly).
They also add a $2 environmental charge because they are an organic salon and I think claim to be close to zero waste, which I think is great but feels like being nickel and dimed a little.
Post by Leeham Rimes on Dec 5, 2019 7:36:58 GMT -5
But the gloss still takes time. And money. That reasoning makes no sense at all. I’ve gotten gloss before and I’ve had to sit there with it seeping in my hair.
I guess in the end I don’t care how they charge but I need to know “it will take between 2-4hours with a max of 4. Especially since I get pretty basic service, partial highlights and a cut. It should be pretty easy to tell me what the max could possibly be.
I always go for a consult first, so the stylist knows my hair/length/volume. I would never go to a salon that would tell me “I can’t give you a max possible charge bc it all depends” how can I even budget that?
Last Edit: Dec 5, 2019 8:10:46 GMT -5 by Leeham Rimes
I need ham like water Like breath, like rain I need ham like mercy From Heaven's gate Sometimes ham salad or casserole or ham that’s free range, all natural I need ham
I think because a lot of salons the stylist basically is renting the booth space, it's to help even out the wages.
My stylist always undercharges me, so I just give her a bigger tip even though she's the owner. I'm there for at least 2 hours getting baylage and she only charges me $90 for color, cut, and style.
I would love this but it takes me barely 30 minutes to get a haircut
same, lol.
I had no idea so many people spent such large amounts of time and money on their hair, lol. $40 for a 30 minute wash/cut/dry every 6 months. I am the most low maintenance hair person ever, lol.
Post by notoriousmeg on Dec 5, 2019 8:13:42 GMT -5
I don’t know how I feel about this. I mean in theory I assume they take on to account how long a process (cut, color, whatever) will take when they figure out costs.
I think I would rather not know they were charging me by the hour b/c it would give me anxiety if they were going over. I don’t want to overpay, but I want to walk out feeling like I got a good cut & color and look good.
I would love this but it takes me barely 30 minutes to get a haircut
same, lol.
I had no idea so many people spent such large amounts of time and money on their hair, lol. $40 for a 30 minute wash/cut/dry every 6 months. I am the most low maintenance hair person ever, lol.
I do every 4 months but yeah, exactly the same plus 20% tip. But I’ve never colored my hair in my life.
But the gloss still takes time. And money. That reasoning makes no sense at all. I’ve gotten gloss before and I’ve had to sit there with it seeping in my hair.
I guess in the end I don’t care how they charge but I need to know “it will take between 2-4hours with a max of 4. Especially since I get pretty basic service, partial highlights and a cut. It should be pretty easy to tell me what the max could possibly be.
I always go for a consult first, so the stylist knows my hair/length/volume. I would never go to a salon that would tell me “I can’t give you a max possible charge bc it all depends” how can I even budget that?
I agree, it didn’t make any sense. I did really like her and my color. But Like you said I’m just not a fan of surprises when the bill comes. Like this time it was $247. That’s a little more than I prefer to pay, but it’s still in the ballpark Of what I can manage for an excellent experience.. But this time my haircut was very quick because it was literally just a tiny bit off the ends following the lines of my last cut,m. What if next time I want to change the shape and I spend a little longer processing (bc with my hair you never know!)and that’s another hour or $60? I’m not willing to spend $300. Will I be spending the whole time worrying about how long it’s taking. Ugh!
I don't think it should be per hour, but i could see an extra fee being tacked on for unusually thick or long hair if that causes the process to take up a longer appointment slot. My stylist is amazing but SO SLOW (and meticulous) - she knows this about herself and admits it. I'm very glad she doesn't charge by the hour. I have chin-length VERY FINE and THIN hair and when I get highlights and a cut, I'm in there for 3-3.5 hours. Most of that is color/lightener application. I spend anywhere from $95 for just a cut + roots to $200 for cut + roots + highlights + lowlights. Before tip.
My stylist told me about how this is becoming a trend and also why she isn’t doing it. She has a full list of clients who will follow her wherever she goes (I’ve been to 4 salons with her over 10 years at least). Basically she said it isn’t what her clients would want. They don’t want their cut and color to take longer and cost more. I agree with her. I don’t need more pampering. A great cut and color, some good conversation, some time alone on my phone while the color processes and she cuts someone else’s hair, a great blowout/style, I’m very happy with that.
As others have mentioned I think the biggest problem with this is that the amount of time something takes can vary greatly by stylist. My last stylist was fantastic at highlights and I was always amazed that I could get full highlights and a cut in about half the time of the stylist I went to before her, and despite taking les time she was better!
Although she has now moved to another state and I'm in the market for a new stylist and have seen this pricing structure at s few places.
Post by thelurkylulu on Dec 5, 2019 11:28:34 GMT -5
This would not be okay with me because it takes my hair forever to process when I’m getting highlights and the woman who does my hair usually has another client, or uses that time to clean up for the day, eat, smoke, etc.
And I’m sorry, but if I have to start paying like $400 to get highlights, I’m going to go somewhere else or do it myself. BRING BACK THE CAP AND HOOK.
I've never heard of this. I sure hope it isn't a trend. I have a ton of hair and I just spend about 5 hrs getting my hair done on Tuesday. I paid $148 before tip for partial highlights/low-lights, cut and blow dry/flat iron. She doesn't book anyone else when she does my hair. I know she takes a dinner break when I'm just sitting there while my highlights are processing.
I've never heard of this. I sure hope it isn't a trend. I have a ton of hair and I just spend about 5 hrs getting my hair done on Tuesday. I paid $148 before tip for partial highlights/low-lights, cut and blow dry/flat iron. She doesn't book anyone else when she does my hair. I know she takes a dinner break when I'm just sitting there while my highlights are processing.
Same. I have a ton of very fine hair so it always takes a while but I've had some chatty stylists and others who get down to business, so it can take 2.5 hours or - one awful time - it did take 5.
Post by hbomdiggity on Dec 5, 2019 12:52:53 GMT -5
I had a stylist do this. She was a one woman shop (with an assistant). I had mixed feelings. The first couple times it was very reasonable. Then there was a time when I was there extra long and it ended up being $$$ even though it was basically the same service as the previous times (I think her assistant may have been out). And then I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to tip. It wasn’t the sole or leading reason, but I moved on.
And then the next gal double booked for processing and that reeeeaaally irritated me. Especially since I process really quickly but I sat there for forever waiting for her to get through the next client. I hated wasting extra time.
If the end cost was reasonable it wouldn’t bother me. Especially if it meant you didn’t have to deal with the double booking nonsense.
I only get a cut and blowout but I feel like my specific stylist is really chatty and slow so I'm not sure how that would play out. I think it takes 30-45 minutes or so from wash to finish and I pay $70 plus tip.
I despise sitting in the salon which is the primary reason I stopped doing highlights (cost is a factor now, but wasn't so much when I decided to stop). And I hated when she worked on other people and then even if I was ready for her again it tacked on like, 10 minutes of just waiting or whatever,
I do like the idea from a gender neutral perspective like PP mentioned.