Bostonista Gripes: Blowout Ambiguity
Forget the credit card or Comcast gripes—we think the worst hidden costs are buried in the recesses of Newbury Street salons. Bostonista was reminded just how dangerous hair appointments can be when, after a recent cut at I Soci, we inadvertently coughed up $70 for 16 ounces of Kerastase shampoo and conditioner.
This, of course, is one of the least egregious examples of salon pricing issues. We were, admittedly, stupid. We know Kerastase is expensive (though we were expecting more in the $50 range). When we picked up the bottles and didn’t see prices, we should have asked before plunking down our card.
Mentioning the incident at work, however, solicited a barrage of similar mini-outrages, mostly related to Blowout Ambiguity. Are blow-drys included in cut and color? Are they not? And—most importantly—will the stylist alert you to the fact that eight minutes with a round brush is going to run you an extra $60?
One of us recalls spending $300 on color at Umi. After the highlights, the stylist immediately started a full-on blowout, rather than the standard quick sweep of the dryer to show the color results. When asked if the styling was included, the hairdresser literally removed her brush, stepped back, and said, “No. Do you want me to stop?” Well. At this point, it would obviously be a little awkward. And we would obviously look like cheap idiots. So of course we shook our heads and muttered, “Oh, no, it’s fine.” Even though the extra $80 charge was in no way fine.
After hearing countless stories, Bostonista decided to do a (very little) bit of investigating. After randomly phoning a few Newbury salons to inquire about cuts and blow-drys, we found that this response from Emerge was fairly typical:
Bostonista: Hi, I was wondering if a blowout is included in the cost of a cut.
Emerge receptionist: Yes, it is.
Bostonista: Really? Great.
Emerge receptionist: Well, it’s included, but it costs more.
She went on to explain that because stylists need to gauge the dried results of their work, a blow-dry is required for cuts and color. And that the blowout is an extra charge of $55-$65. This directly contradicts Emerge’s website pricing, which clearly lists “cut only” starting at $60.
We’re confused. And we suspect that most salon patrons are, too. Far be it from us to question Newbury stylists’ costs—Bostonista has benefitted from their expertise hundreds of times. We appreciate that many of them have decades of experience. And we love the results. But we’d also appreciate a clear description of what, exactly, we’re paying for…before we get to the register.
March 14th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I’m not quite sure if Boston Magazine only nominates there advertisers however. After reading this I realize you are mentioning some of your very own advertisers (past & present). I’ve worked on Newbury st. for 10 yrs. now 5 yrs owning my own salon (salon Monet) and with the recession going on I am very thankful that my salon is not affected and still going strong. I’ve trained @ Vidal Sasson, worked @ James Joseph as a Snr. Stylist/Colorist and still have clients from my cosmo school days and all I can say is some salons are very snuddy but not all, I am so into customer service/satisfaction that I wouldn’t hire some stylist because of there eagles.
we are small but professional and use the best in color & products but get no support from boston mag in-which I’ve advertised in for 10yrs.
Soooooooo what’s my point?
What I am saying is stop looking over the smaller salons because bigger is not always better. It means fast money on Newbury St.
And yes our cuts include blow drys Thank You.
Shellee Mendes
To know me is to google me
March 17th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I am a current customer of Emerge and will no longer go there due to their prices and blow out costs!! Will check out Salon Monet simply because they include the blow out.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
$60 for blow out IN ADDITION to the outrageously high hair cut charge (dependant on stylist) at G2). It should always be included in the price. If you are going to go to Newbury Street for a haircut, you are not planning to leave with a wet head of hair. I find the pricing structures shady on this wanna-be Rodeo Drive.
April 8th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
As I was skimming through the Bostonista Blog (which I love) I was so disappointed to see that one of you ladies felt that I Soci Salon threw hidden costs at you! Kerastase is a luxury line and it is expensive. The cost to carry each product has gone up each year for the salon owner and that determines the price that we charge. We don’t put a price on each product but we do have on the same shelves a framed list of each product and the cost. We are terribly sorry that you did not see this. But just to touch base on the subject of “cost ambiguity” no one should ever feel intimated to ask a price. Whether that be for a service or a product. If something is not clear that just might be because each client is different and therefore its hard to set a flat fee for everything. You can always ask your stylist, the receptionist or email the salon (for I Soci you can contact us through our website) for further clarification.