Debate: Should we tell clients when their hair is actually unsalvageable?

So last week I had this client in Portland who came in wanting a full head of highlights. Her hair was fried, like straw level fried from box dye and heat damage. I told her straight up that another round of bleach could break her strands off. She got super defensive and said I was just trying to upsell her on treatments. Ended up walking out mid-consult. But then my coworker said I should have just done it and let her learn the hard way. Where do you guys draw the line on honesty vs. just taking the money?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimmurphy19d ago

...and honestly that's the thing, walking out mid-consult is the best case scenario compared to her coming back in two weeks screaming that her hair snapped off. I had a client like that years ago and she tried to get the salon to pay for extensions. I think the real issue is that some stylists treat this job like a transaction and not a service. If you know for a fact the hair is going to break off and you still take the money, that's not hustle culture, that's just bad business. Your coworker is wrong and this is exactly how you end up with a reputation you can't shake in a city like Portland where everyone talks.

riley_wood8419d ago

Never really saw it that way before, not gonna lie. Used to think walking out was just leaving money on the table and you could always fix it later with a deep condition or something. But you're right, if you know the hair is gonna snap and you still take the cash, that's on you when it hits the fan. Portland is way too small for that kind of reputation, word travels fast in a city like this. Makes me wonder how many stylists are out there burning bridges just to make a quick buck today instead of building a name that lasts. Honestly changed my whole view on turning down the hard clients.

piper77919d ago

Ngl @kimmurphy, "bad business" is putting it nicely. It's more like setting your money on fire and hoping the smoke smells like good reviews.