The Barbershop

As promised, here's the story about why the barbershop that I go to here in Stamford, pisses me off. The story doesn't contain Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, or Queen Latifah, so I just want to mention this from the start. I never actually saw "The Barbershop" or the sequel they made, and probably isn't worth my time since it was only in the theater for 2.5 hours.

Anyway, so I've been going to this place, Sweeney Todd's, since I moved up here. It was originally located in the mall that is across the street from my apartment. There was a regular barbershop that I was going to go to first, but after seeing that I was the only English-speaking person in that place, I thought it might be better to patronize the nicer, more upscale barbershop (Sweeney Todd's) across the hallway.

The first time I was there, I was greeted by Yolanda, so she proceeded to cut my hair that first time. They had a great deal running: $12 haircut on Mondays and Tuesdays. I'd make it a point to get there on one of those days when the hair started to become shaggy, and I could save a couple bucks at the same time. I went about every 6 weeks or so, and many times I'd have Yolanda cut my hair, once it was an Asian lady, another time it was the Australian/British chick (couldn't figure out the accent). Everything was fine, we had the $12 haircut and I was in and out in like 15-20 minutes and you could call it a day.

See, many guys will know the "Code of Barbershops" is that once you have one of the "stylists" cut your hair a couple of times in a row, they'll begin to recognize you. At that point, whether they do a great job or a bang-up job, you're stuck with them. The stylist will take offense if they see you come in and sit down to let another one cut your hair. That's a sure-fire way to land on their shit list. So you better pick the right one after the first couple of visits, because if you don't like your regular stylist, you might as well find a new place to go.

After bouncing around from one to another, my regular stylist ends up being Yolanda. You could have figured that out since she's the only one whose name I remembered. Plus, she didn't actually recognize me during the initial visits, and each time gave me a card with her name and the days/hours she worked. She does a nice job, and she's pleasant to speak with while she cuts my hair, so there were no problems.

Now here's the part that gets me. In April, the shop changed locations. They moved out of the mall, and to another location in downtown Stamford. The new shop looked pretty nice, they had more room and could keep hours that differed from the mall. My very first time in the new location, it was a Monday or Tuesday night, and when I walked in, I noticed the $12 special. That's a good sign that the prices didn't change any. I walk up to the front desk and I specifically ask for Yolanda this time. (In the past, it worked out several times in a row that she was available as soon as I walked in. This time, I "specifically" asked for her. Remember this point.)

The girl says that she is just finishing up with someone and I'm next in line. About 5 minutes later, she's ready for me. Conversation was the same old BS'ing as normal; I commented on the new digs and that it was a nice upgrade from the old place; it came up that she is a recovering alcoholic ("I've been sober for 5 years now." How do you respond to that statement? Does it call for a "Congratulations!"? I just nodded and smiled, to play it safe.) The haircut ends and we go up the counter. The following conversation ensues:

Girl at the desk: That'll be $15 please.
Me: I thought you do the $12 special on Mondays and Tuesdays?
Girl: That's only for walk-ins. Since you requested Yolanda, it's $15. On other days of the week, it's $20.
Me: (Still perplexed, but hands over the cash.)

There's a principle here that annoys the hell out of me. I wasn't worried about the $3. The fact though that they have the nerve to charge a "regular" customer more than some Joe Shmo who walks in off the street, is beyond me. What happened to customer loyalty? They should give me the discount, and let the walk-in pay more. When someone cuts you a deal because you're a long-time customer, they give you just that: a deal. Imagine this: "Well, Mr. Johnson, since you're a long-time customer here at the car dealership, we're going to charge you more for your Dodge Stratus than that idiot over there who we've never seen before." MAKES NO SENSE! You give the loyal customer a break and let the others build up their loyalty and long-term patronage.

Most recently, I went to the barbershop again last week, in fact it was Friday after work. Sure enough Yolanda is there, and sure enough, I get charged $20. What a bitch. I'm completely roped into this stylist and need to find a way out. Only problem is that I get a decent haircut out of her. I'm still pissed about the principle of the whole situation.

Anyone agree or disagree? Post your comments.