December
2003
December
4, 2003
Turned Away By Stylist?
Question
Dear Karen,
I
have not read this problem in your AskKaren columns so maybe you
can help me. My problem is a little strange but I would like
your insight with a recommendation about what action I should
take.
Recently
I called the salon where I have been going for the last two
years to make an appointment with my stylist. I was told
that I was "no longer welcome to book appointments at the
salon or with the stylist".
I was
shocked and insisted on speaking with my stylist. She
confirmed on the phone that she felt we could no longer
"work together". Later I called the manager and
was told that the stylist has the right to refuse to see
clients.
I had
never heard of this happening before. Is this legal?
Can I take any legal action against the stylist or the
salon? What would you suggest I do?
Confused
Carmetta
Answer
Dear Carmetta,
A
recent article by Victoria Wurdinger
in the professional hairdresser's publication, Modern
Salon, reported on the growing trend of stylists turning
away clients that they no longer wanted to book.
And
yes, this is becoming a more common experience. Great stylists
are often in demand and some of them no longer feel that they have
to work with everyone that wants to book an appointment for their
time.
Is
this a legal practice? Yes. Can you take legal
action? While I am not a lawyer, I would suspect that it is
unlikely that you can take legal action for your stylist refusing to
book a hair appointment with you.
I
can understand why you might be upset that you have been refused an
appointment. However, you might want to do a little soul
searching and ask yourself why your stylist wants to divorce
you? If you really have no clue but care, you might send your
stylist a polite note asking her to explain so you can learn from
the experience.
If
you do write your stylist a note be prepared to hear some
information about you that you may not want to hear. However,
keep in mind that it may save you from a future experience with a
new stylist.
Victoria
Wurdinger's Modern Salon article gave several reasons why stylists
permanently disconnect from clients ranging from chronic tardiness
and obnoxious behaviors to incompatible hair styling visions.
Since
hairstylists can stay very busy with prompt, polite and considerate
clients they are starting to chose them over clients that they are
uncomfortable working with.
This
trend to say no to booking clients is happening in many
industries. Physicians, psychologists and even psychics are
becoming more vocal about selecting their clients.
Since
this happened why not start over with a clean slate but take the
time to find a stylist that you feel you are really compatible with.
Best wishes,
Karen Shelton
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