Ask Karen - April 2007

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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