Complain about horrible customer service experiences!

pochercoaster · 01-03-2011, 10:13 PM

Right, well we have regularly occurring threads about our horrible jobs, which usually devolves into how customers are stupid and/or horrible. Now it's time to complain about the people on the other side of the counter, who are sometimes just as horrible as customers with the added benefit of ripping you off!

[loooong rant]

So I decide that I've saved up enough money to have my hair done. I don't "do" my hair professionally often because supporting yourself on minimum wage doesn't allow for frequent trips to the salon. Nevertheless I decided I was officially sick of my hair and ready to have it dyed because I work hard for my money goddammit and I should allow myself little luxuries here and there.

Let me preface this by saying that I have had my hair dyed multiple times before and I've never had hairdressers as seemingly inexperienced as the ones I visited last. I have even bleached my hair at home with better results than what I got here.

There's a salon that's literally a 2 minute walk from where I live so I decide to go there out of convenience. It didn't strike me as ritzy but I figured it'd be "good enough."

First thing they screwed up:
I came in to make an appointment and brought an example of the colour I wanted (bright pink.) I asked them when I could make the appointment because I know salons don't normally carry weird colours and I wanted to allow them enough time to order the dye. So I made the appointment 3 days afterwards and was reassured that they'd have the dye by then. Of course I come in on the day of my appointment and they "forgot" to order the dye. So I reschedule for two days later.

Second thing they screwed up:
They burnt the shit out of my scalp. That is, by the time I got home it was covered in bloody, pussy leaky blisters (yum.) As I previously stated, I have bleached my own hair with better results than what I got here. The hairdresser started out applying the bleach with a brush and then proceeded to practically massage it into my head (YOU DO NOT DO THIS). After she finished applying it (and she took her sweet ass time- my previous hairdressers have worked quickly when applying bleach because it's fuckin' bleach it works hella fast) she put a dryer over my head.

At first it tingled slightly (normal); the hairdresser even asked how my head felt and I said it's slightly tingly. Then she went about working with some other clients and abandoned me. About 20 minutes later that tingling rapidly (like within a minute) suddenly became an intense, extremely painful burning sensation the likes of which I've never experienced on my scalp. Obviously I call her over to me as I'm kind of freaking out cause hey my scalp is in the ninth layer of hell!

So they rinse it out in cold water, apply the dye, yadda yadda finish it up. I shell out $100 for this, not counting the tip.

The next day I wake up my hair is a disgusting pussy matt (sorry for the graphic-ness). I go back to the salon and they schedule me for three free conditioning mask things to help it heal. I finished the last one today and while my scalp is mostly healed...

The colour in my hair is extremely, unevenly faded, a mere four days after having it done. The crown of my head is nearly white while the rest of my hair is a pastel fuchsia. I've only shampooed it twice with colour protection shampoo. I have dyed my hair pink before at OTHER salons and it never faded this fast! In fact, it has taken me up to 8 months to completely loose pink dye (and yes, I made sure they used permanent dye. At least they told me it was permanent.)

I would have tolerated blisters on my scalp and shitty customer service IF it meant my hair would stay the colour it was supposed to. Pain is beauty and all that.

But nope.

So, for the record, I:
1. am $100 poorer
2. have blisters on my scalp
3. have shitty hair that will soon warrant another expensive trip to a different salon IF I can afford it
4. am less naive about judging stores by their outer appearance. I could've gone somewhere more expensive and had it come out much better for another $30-40

SO! What ways have you been ripped off or otherwise made to have horrible customer service experiences?

TDK · 01-04-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocheros

I shell out $100 for this, not counting the tip.

...You tipped her?

pochercoaster · 01-04-2011, 12:16 PM

I always feel shy/awkward when someone's doing my hair and although they did a shit job they were really nice and sympathetic afterwards and the whole process sort of left me feeling like I had been a difficult customer even though that wasn't the case. Basically I shouldn't have have tipped them but I did because I have a habit of blaming myself.

Funnily enough when I saw them yesterday to have my hair conditioned the owner came up to me and basically insinuated that I was responsible for having my scalp burned. I said no that wasn't the case and she started to argue with me. Seriously... I would have forgiven them if anyone BUT the owner had told me it was their fault they massaged bleach into my scalp (I have a high tolerance for shitty service) but the fact that it was the owner really pissed me off. And there's no justice because it's a busy location & the income they get from non-returning customers is probably enough to fund the business because the owner obviously cuts corners.

If I was more plucky I'd go back there today and complain but I don't feel comfortable about that and they've wasted so much of my time already...

Melfice · 01-04-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pocheros

I always feel shy/awkward when someone's doing my hair and although they did a shit job they were really nice and sympathetic afterwards and the whole process sort of left me feeling like I had been a difficult customer even though that wasn't the case. Basically I shouldn't have have tipped them but I did because I have a habit of blaming myself.

Funnily enough when I saw them yesterday to have my hair conditioned the owner came up to me and basically insinuated that I was responsible for having my scalp burned. I said no that wasn't the case and she started to argue with me. Seriously... I would have forgiven them if anyone BUT the owner had told me it was their fault they massaged bleach into my scalp (I have a high tolerance for shitty service) but the fact that it was the owner really pissed me off. And there's no justice because it's a busy location & the income they get from non-returning customers is probably enough to fund the business because the owner obviously cuts corners.

If I was more plucky I'd go back there today and complain but I don't feel comfortable about that and they've wasted so much of my time already...

This business has injured you.
You might just leave some subtle hints (SEND PICTURES OF YOUR SCALP) with whatever department says you can open a hairdresser's.

But seriously, you got injured (admittedly getting bleach in your hair) at a business where you don't normally expect to get injured (aside from a small nick in the ear, if you happen to get an apprentice, but really, they tell you in that case).
If the owner says that it was YOUR fault, let them prove it. Ask for any surveillance tapes. If they can't produce that, it'll have to go by testimonies. The fact you haven't burned yourself while bleaching your own hair should help tremendously there, no doubt.

Pip Boy · 01-04-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melfice

This business has injured you.
You might just leave some subtle hints (SEND PICTURES OF YOUR SCALP) with whatever department says you can open a hairdresser's.

But seriously, you got injured (admittedly getting bleach in your hair) at a business where you don't normally expect to get injured (aside from a small nick in the ear, if you happen to get an apprentice, but really, they tell you in that case).
If the owner says that it was YOUR fault, let them prove it. Ask for any surveillance tapes. If they can't produce that, it'll have to go by testimonies. The fact you haven't burned yourself while bleaching your own hair should help tremendously there, no doubt.

To add to this, while american culture has a tendancy to be like "OMG you looked at me wrong SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE", if these people charged you money to injure you and then insinuated it was your fault, you actually have legitimate grounds for a lawsuit. While odds are you probably don't have the money for a lawyer, you should go back, ask for your money back, and subtly threaten to sue them into the ninth layer of hell if they don't refund you.

Alternatively, you could bust in there with a sawed off and some knives, force them to tie themselves down in their own chairs, then cut off their scalps for you to wear as hats.

shiney · 01-04-2011, 02:34 PM

Seriously! At least go get your money back. And ask to speak to the salon manager/owner to ask them if there is anything remotely acceptable about the color of your hair a mere 4 days after treatment.

Nikose Tyris · 01-04-2011, 02:35 PM

...Pocheros... would this shop be in Etobicoke, by chance? We've filed complaints about a horrible job done on my girlfriend's hair as well...

Edit: Agreeing with Fifth 100% there. When I don't have someone to back me up, my complaints tend to fall flat.

If you don't know anyone local, my girlfriend would be more then willing to support- especially if it's the same place that butchered her hair.

Fifthfiend · 01-04-2011, 02:39 PM

If you go to complain, it may help to take someone you trust to back you up if they try to argue back or bully you.

Regardless of what you end up doing, the job these people did was really horribly incompetent and their behavior in defense of it disgusting.

pochercoaster · 01-04-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikose Tyris

...Pocheros... would this shop be in Etobicoke, by chance? We've filed complaints about a horrible job done on my girlfriend's hair as well...

No, I live in Brampton, a.k.a. home to dozens of salons run by immigrants unfamiliar with proper procedures. I know that sounds horribly racist but it's often the case... It must be pretty common in Toronto too.

Fifth: Actually I'm about to head over there and I asked my roomie (who's also had his hair cut there and didn't like it) to come with me.

I typed out more but I think I'll hold my thoughts until I see if the provide any kind of compensation.

I really feel kind of silly that I had to wait for other people to tell me to go back there to demand compensation (my roomie told me to do so before I posted this thread as well.) Ehh I guess it's a good thing that these bad experiences are infrequent, at least. This sort of thing has never really happened before so I'm just kind of... "bwuh? How do I handle this?"

Nikose Tyris · 01-04-2011, 03:16 PM

Etobicoke is, for Toronto, the worst place to be for businesses. It's entirely immigrants and... we've had some bad encounters at local businesses. That's not to say immigrants can't run good businesses, just... it's terrible here.

01-03-2011, 10:13 PM	#1
pochercoaster rollerpocher tycoon Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,808	Complain about horrible customer service experiences! Right, well we have regularly occurring threads about our horrible jobs, which usually devolves into how customers are stupid and/or horrible. Now it's time to complain about the people on the other side of the counter, who are sometimes just as horrible as customers with the added benefit of ripping you off! [loooong rant] So I decide that I've saved up enough money to have my hair done. I don't "do" my hair professionally often because supporting yourself on minimum wage doesn't allow for frequent trips to the salon. Nevertheless I decided I was officially sick of my hair and ready to have it dyed because I work hard for my money goddammit and I should allow myself little luxuries here and there. Let me preface this by saying that I have had my hair dyed multiple times before and I've never had hairdressers as seemingly inexperienced as the ones I visited last. I have even bleached my hair at home with better results than what I got here. There's a salon that's literally a 2 minute walk from where I live so I decide to go there out of convenience. It didn't strike me as ritzy but I figured it'd be "good enough." First thing they screwed up: I came in to make an appointment and brought an example of the colour I wanted (bright pink.) I asked them when I could make the appointment because I know salons don't normally carry weird colours and I wanted to allow them enough time to order the dye. So I made the appointment 3 days afterwards and was reassured that they'd have the dye by then. Of course I come in on the day of my appointment and they "forgot" to order the dye. So I reschedule for two days later. Second thing they screwed up: They burnt the shit out of my scalp. That is, by the time I got home it was covered in bloody, pussy leaky blisters (yum.) As I previously stated, I have bleached my own hair with better results than what I got here. The hairdresser started out applying the bleach with a brush and then proceeded to practically massage it into my head (YOU DO NOT DO THIS). After she finished applying it (and she took her sweet ass time- my previous hairdressers have worked quickly when applying bleach because it's fuckin' bleach it works hella fast) she put a dryer over my head. At first it tingled slightly (normal); the hairdresser even asked how my head felt and I said it's slightly tingly. Then she went about working with some other clients and abandoned me. About 20 minutes later that tingling rapidly (like within a minute) suddenly became an intense, extremely painful burning sensation the likes of which I've never experienced on my scalp. Obviously I call her over to me as I'm kind of freaking out cause hey my scalp is in the ninth layer of hell! So they rinse it out in cold water, apply the dye, yadda yadda finish it up. I shell out $100 for this, not counting the tip. The next day I wake up my hair is a disgusting pussy matt (sorry for the graphic-ness). I go back to the salon and they schedule me for three free conditioning mask things to help it heal. I finished the last one today and while my scalp is mostly healed... The colour in my hair is extremely, unevenly faded, a mere four days after having it done. The crown of my head is nearly white while the rest of my hair is a pastel fuchsia. I've only shampooed it twice with colour protection shampoo. I have dyed my hair pink before at OTHER salons and it never faded this fast! In fact, it has taken me up to 8 months to completely loose pink dye (and yes, I made sure they used permanent dye. At least they told me it was permanent.) I would have tolerated blisters on my scalp and shitty customer service IF it meant my hair would stay the colour it was supposed to. Pain is beauty and all that. But nope. So, for the record, I: 1. am $100 poorer 2. have blisters on my scalp 3. have shitty hair that will soon warrant another expensive trip to a different salon IF I can afford it 4. am less naive about judging stores by their outer appearance. I could've gone somewhere more expensive and had it come out much better for another $30-40 SO! What ways have you been ripped off or otherwise made to have horrible customer service experiences? Last edited by pochercoaster; 01-03-2011 at 10:20 PM.

01-04-2011, 02:34 PM	#6
shiney Derrrrrrrrrrrrrp. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The land of fartz and buttz Posts: 8,266	Seriously! At least go get your money back. And ask to speak to the salon manager/owner to ask them if there is anything remotely acceptable about the color of your hair a mere 4 days after treatment. __________________ boop

01-04-2011, 02:39 PM	#8
Fifthfiend for all seasons Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 19,409	If you go to complain, it may help to take someone you trust to back you up if they try to argue back or bully you. Regardless of what you end up doing, the job these people did was really horribly incompetent and their behavior in defense of it disgusting. __________________ check out my buttspresso

01-04-2011, 12:16 PM	#3
pochercoaster rollerpocher tycoon Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 1,808	I always feel shy/awkward when someone's doing my hair and although they did a shit job they were really nice and sympathetic afterwards and the whole process sort of left me feeling like I had been a difficult customer even though that wasn't the case. Basically I shouldn't have have tipped them but I did because I have a habit of blaming myself. Funnily enough when I saw them yesterday to have my hair conditioned the owner came up to me and basically insinuated that I was responsible for having my scalp burned. I said no that wasn't the case and she started to argue with me. Seriously... I would have forgiven them if anyone BUT the owner had told me it was their fault they massaged bleach into my scalp (I have a high tolerance for shitty service) but the fact that it was the owner really pissed me off. And there's no justice because it's a busy location & the income they get from non-returning customers is probably enough to fund the business because the owner obviously cuts corners. If I was more plucky I'd go back there today and complain but I don't feel comfortable about that and they've wasted so much of my time already...