A new buzz about budget haircutters

A good hairdresser is booked a year in advance with a dedicated client base. I feel sorry for those that can not make it in this industry as contractors who rent their space and stipulate their own prices and working conditions. They are taken advantage of by business people who don't give a rat's petiole about anything, but the bottom line and sell, sell, sell those products because that is where they make the profit. Wise up hairdressers, get together with the quality co-workers and start your own business instead of making the shop owner wealthy at your expense and hard work.

The two worst haircuts I've ever had the misfortune of paying for were both done at Fantastic Sam's (two different locations). I'd have to agree with Evangilizer in that a good stylist is usually booked but worth the wait, and usually not found at these walk-in places. Getting a second haircut at another place to fix the disaster created by Fantastic Sam's ended up costing me more in the long run.

Go to one of these places if you want to look like Caeser...

I always get a great Haircut at Fantastic Sams.

Evangilizer, Someone just starting out in this field can't start their own business right out of School. Fantastic Sams is a great place to get the experience necessary to eventually start thier own business.

ZenBirdist the difference between a good hair cut and bad one is........about 2 weeks!

Outside Dan wrote:

ZenBirdist the difference between a good hair cut and bad one is........about 2 weeks!

And the expense and inconvenience of getting it straightened out at a different place, in my case. My last trip to FS's was about a month ago when I got over a foot of hair cut off, which is what I had asked for, but getting the extreme unevenness and choppiness fixed cost another couple of inches and several more dollars. Not a big deal, hair grows back, but I won't sacrifice any more of mine (or my money) at another Sam's.

ZenBirdist wrote:

The two worst haircuts I've ever had the misfortune of paying for were both done at Fantastic Sam's (two different locations). I'd have to agree with Evangilizer in that a good stylist is usually booked but worth the wait, and usually not found at these walk-in places. Getting a second haircut at another place to fix the disaster created by Fantastic Sam's ended up costing me more in the long run.

I used to pay for a great hairdresser at a nice salon but when my husband lost his job I could no longer afford a cut and color that ran $100. A family fried's daughter started working at Cost Cutters and does a wonderful job. So the lesson is to find someone at Cost Cutters, Sam's etc. who is good and ask specifically for them to cut your hair. You may have to wait a little bit but it is worth it.

Outside Dan: Well said! My sister is a hair stylist that is just starting out and if it was not for companies like these, she would be starving to death and it’s not because she is a bad stylist, its because she is new to the trade. It’s a place to gain experience. I used to go to those expensive places and pay an arm and leg to get my hair done...why when it looks the same at one of these places...it’s the stylist not whether or not you wait 7 weeks for an appointment and have to pay $100 for a color. People need a place to start out at before they start charging $50 for a men’s hair cut. Let’s take that into consideration as well. Maybe ZenBirdist you just had a bad hair stylist in general and who is to say next week you won’t see her at Spalon Montage? There are people in every job that are good and bad at what they do. I don’t think it has anything to do with the place. I personally love that I can walk into one of these places, get my hair done and be on with my Saturday and still have money in my pocket for a Starbucks afterward. I will get off my soap box now.

Evangilizer wrote:

A good hairdresser is booked a year in advance with a dedicated client base. I feel sorry for those that can not make it in this industry as contractors who rent their space and stipulate their own prices and working conditions. They are taken advantage of by business people who don't give a rat's petiole about anything, but the bottom line and sell, sell, sell those products because that is where they make the profit. Wise up hairdressers, get together with the quality co-workers and start your own business instead of making the shop owner wealthy at your expense and hard work.

While I agree that being in business yourself is a way to financial independence and a lot of job satisfacyion, it wont take anyone going that route long to realize they need a great manager to make it a success. Being good at your craft is only half of whats needed to run a business as any owner will tell you. Some people just dont have the personality and dedication to be business owners no matter how good they are or the reputation they have.

Doomster wrote:

<quoted text> While I agree that being in business yourself is a way to financial independence and a lot of job satisfacyion, it wont take anyone going that route long to realize they need a great manager to make it a success. Being good at your craft is only half of whats needed to run a business as any owner will tell you. Some people just dont have the personality and dedication to be business owners no matter how good they are or the reputation they have.

Manager? Manage what, a hairdressers ability to create business for the shop owner?
You obviously do not understand the business. A hairdresser with 2 years experience can apply for a managers license and that is all the management they need if they are talented, and are knowledgeable about the process of working with all styles of people

Evangilizer wrote:

<quoted text>
Manager? Manage what, a hairdressers ability to create business for the shop owner?
You obviously do not understand the business. A hairdresser with 2 years experience can apply for a managers license and that is all the management they need if they are talented, and are knowledgeable about the process of working with all styles of people

I would say it is you that has no understanding of business. This is the dumbest statement I've ever read by a person that cvlaims to know anything about business. You sound like a union flunky that thinks evrything is easy except what you do. Dont be so bitter about employers,I'm sure someone carried you along on the road to success.

Evangilizer wrote:

<quoted text>
Manager? Manage what, a hairdressers ability to create business for the shop owner?
You obviously do not understand the business. A hairdresser with 2 years experience can apply for a managers license and that is all the management they need if they are talented, and are knowledgeable about the process of working with all styles of people

There is more to being a Manager than just that. This is the mentality that causes so many businesses to fail.

Well all I know is that I have Chelsie from Great Clips on Robert Street cut my hair and she does a great job every time

Evangilizer wrote:

<quoted text>
Manager? Manage what, a hairdressers ability to create business for the shop owner?
You obviously do not understand the business. A hairdresser with 2 years experience can apply for a managers license and that is all the management they need if they are talented, and are knowledgeable about the process of working with all styles of people

So while hair stylists are busy cutting/coloring someone's hair, who will be answering the phone, taking the payments for services and products, seeing to it that the business' bills are paid, seeing to it that all licenses are kept up to date, making sure that products that the stylists are using up to date, making sure that stylists are keeping their stations clean, promoting the business to the public to get new customers etc. etc. etc.

Because if a stylist has a management license and is being the MANAGER of the business, that will mean much less time to actually do customers' hair. Because the manager is going to have to supervise the receptionist, make sure that customers are being scheduled properly, make sure that stylists are being professional, see to it that the salon is adequately supplied with products both to sell and for stylists to use, and all of the little details that are the requirements of running ANY business and don't specifically have to do with hairstyling.

I read your article today, about the budget cuts, and the thing about the companies you mentioned have many hidden costs. Yes the haircut may cost $13.00 for a dry cut. When your in the chair they ask if you want your hair wet, they charge you for that. They also ask if you want it blow dried and they charge you extra for that. By the time they are done with everything they do, you are charged 25.00 for a simple cut. The difference between a salon and a Franchise shop is a franchise charges for every detail. I think if you are going to do an article on high salons, you should also do one on the local Barbershops, as our money stays in the state and many of us have one or two chairs, and we are not franchises. "What about the little guy". You do an article on 3 different companies who have millions of dollars to spend on advertising. It's always the big guys with all the money that get the recognition. How about us little guys that work our butts off from week to week to make a living, and cannot afford advertising. Where is our Recognition. Clay's Barbershop, 2518 7th Avenue East, North Saint Paul, Mn 55109, Thank You!!

I have been a barber for 35 years and i would like to see fantastic sams or cost cutters do a flat top or a bald fade and see how the hair comes out. or a comb over on a little old man and make it look good.

Clay's Barbership guy, what is the world are you talking about? It's $13 and that's it, there are no hidden fees like wetting your hair or blowdrying. Maybe that was standard 35 years ago when you started cutting hair. You are clueless.

You can get a haircut,shampoo and blow dry for $13 at Fantastic Sams. Wet hair or dry cut, it doesn't matter.

They also have coupons on the back of store receipts or in advertisements for $8.95 or $9.95 haircuts that include shampoo and blow dry. No hidden costs from my experiences.

Of course, if you don't like your services, than don't tip. If they do a good job, than tip accordingly.

These franchises are great places for recent grads to start out in the industry and gain some experience. We all have to start somewhere in our career paths.

The last person I knew who went to Great Clips to save a few bucks, came out looking like Donald Trump.

Clays Barbershop wrote:

I have been a barber for 35 years and i would like to see fantastic sams or cost cutters do a flat top or a bald fade and see how the hair comes out. or a comb over on a little old man and make it look good.

Go check it out! I'm sure they do this just fine. after 18 months of school (some longer) I'm sure they have the skills to do this. they may not have your 35 years experience but at least they have the heart to try.

You are Obviously self promoting here!

It isn't about self promoting. it's about the fact that local barbers like myself are here in Mn and our money is not going to another state, so if the local paper is going to do an article on these franchises, why not do one on the locals in the state. Barbers work just as hard as hairstylists and we do not get any recognition. We also have set days and hours and not a flex schedule. All i am stating is the fact. My lady friends have had many disappointments with getting their hair done at these locations. Also almost all of them if not all of them do have hidden fees.