Yesterday, I took the girls to Fantastic Sam’s to get their hairs cut. We go to Fantastic Sam’s because it’s close, and because we like the stylist, Jeff.
We weren’t looking for Jeff, but we’re sure glad we found him. Beauty Queen is our preferred stylist, but we miss when she lived right next door.
My girls are like me and plenty of other people who grow out their hair and then cut it off in a predictable cycle, “Well, I’ve had long hair for over a year now, spring is coming…” CHOP! Sassy had over a foot chopped off yesterday.
But anyway, last spring, Moo decided she wanted to chop off all her hair and so on a late Monday morning, we walked into a major chain that advertises quick, convenient and affordable haircuts. I’d been to one several times before; you walk in, you sign in, you wait, you get served, you leave.
That’s how it’s supposed to go down. This is how it went down:
“My daughter would like her hair cut,” I pointed to Moo.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“We’re all booked up right now.”
“Oh, okay. We can come back later. Do you have anything maybe after four?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, when?”
“You’ll need to go online to make an appointment.”
I stared blankly at her.
She repeated herself, “You can go online and make an appointment.”
“I can’t make an appointment while we’re standing here?”
“You can, but online.”
I aimed for clarity, “You cannot schedule the appointment?”
“No.”
“And if I went outside, called you about a haircut this evening, you would…?”
“I’d tell you to go online and make an appointment.”
“But we cannot schedule an appointment while we’re both here, in the salon, and you with your appointment computer right in front of you?”
“No.”
I thought I was on Candid Camera or somethin.
“Well that is just absurd!”
I looked around the waiting room. It was full of men. My husband shrugged and a stranger man shrugged, and I was all, fuckin really? is this actually happening?
So we left there.
Once I was back in the car, I struggled to remember where any other haircut places are. Beauty Queen has cut our hair for so many years, and we’d been in Georgia for seven years, so I was really struggling to think of any. “There used to be a Fantastic Sam’s in the mall. In like, 1986. That’s still a place, right?” The Mister did not know.
I got online and found the number to Fantastic Sam’s. I called. They are no longer in the mall, but still very close. Jeff said, “Ten minutes! Come on over!”
I noticed the other day, there’s another location, same exact major haircut chain over by our dry cleaners. There’s a huge sign out front that reads, “WALK RIGHT IN.” I swung by there today just to snap this photo.
There is no fine print on the bottom of the sign, but what they really mean is “Walk in, leave logic at the door.”
I can’t imagine why they’re not getting much business over there.
Have you ever had such a strange experience with a clerk? Do you think she was deranged?
joeyfullystated 
I would have went straight the hell off!
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I would leave and never be back there again. This was too strange. Great that you found another.
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I usually end up saying, “you people are insane” and stomp out…that’s how I roll….haha
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What a strange system, I have never heard anything so daft!
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I wonder if that’s how she was trained (or not trained) to handle appointment requests when they’re busy. I tend to blame management for strangeness with receptionists. Also, I’m very loyal to my stylists, because I hate changing who cuts my hair. Best to you.
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I don’t know. I wondered similarly, but I was the only person speaking, and there were not only clients, but several stylists working, who must have heard. It was so bizarre.
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Omg I got a headache reading this.
I have one for you–I don’t like cheese on my burgers. A few years ago, I went to a Burger King and ordered a double hamburger. I was told they don’t sell that. But they do sell “double cheeseburgers without cheese,” which is what I had to ask for. Sigh.
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Semantics. Oh you know it! I had a similar experience when ordering pizza.
“Pepperoni.”
“Extra pepperoni?”
“No, just pepperoni.”
“But the special is for 2-toppings.”
“But I already pick all the pepperoni off of mine. I gotta pick extra pepperoni off?”
I handed the phone to my husband. I couldn’t even. lol
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Haha! Makes cooking seem not so bad after all 😄
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RIGHT? Gah. People!
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Was it more expensive than a simple burger without cheese? The one’s they sold for 99 cents the last time I went?
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Um probably that was a while ago.
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LOL–yeah..I stopped eating meat ages ago…I’m withdrawing from sugar now…
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That’s ridiculous. I wonder if that particular person just transported here from the past and didn’t understand how the computer operates.
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Again, I say, SO BIZARRE!
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I’ve been there and been told the same thing. Very strange! As I’ve said before, I feel very sorry for clerks who know just as well as you do how idiosyncratic their computer ir operating systems are or how repetitious their required greeting spiel is but some numbnut in the home office issude a decree frim on high that all must follow.
In this case, the decree is ‘we do not take appts (even from walk-ins’ except for ones made online.’
And clerks and customers alike know it’s idiotic. Unfirtunately only ine if you can say so. The other has a job she needs to keep (even when the idiotic policy drives away customers).
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Oh yes, that is completely plausible! Perhaps it’s their policy and she is not daft. Perhaps she has grown tired of saying that to clients. You may well be right. They must lose a lot of business, though.
Can you imagine if the dr did that? Or the dentist? Haha!
I’m tickled you had the same experience.
At any rate, I’ll never go back, and am glad to have found Jeff through the ordeal. Everything happens for a reason!
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So true!
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We have handed over free thought to the accountants of the world. You might have to pay someone more if they keep an appointment schedule. You might have to pay to print a menu item called a hamburger. It’s actually amazing that I haven’t taken over all ready. I should get to work on that.
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That’s too strange, Joey. Nothing similar has ever happened to me. What I find also weird is when i make an online restaurant reservation I get a phone call asking me to confirm. The reason I make it online is to leave a trace of the reservation, so I find annoying to have to return a call to say that yes I want a reservation.
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I agree. That seems contrary to intention.
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Everything is a Corporate plot. I don’t know what this one is but it smells of creating an illusion of being ‘exclusive’ for which people will pay more money. Or they’re just really obnoxious.
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I don’t know what the reason, but I’m certainly open to explanation. Exclusive doesn’t really jibe with a cheap haircut, does it? lol
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Nope..It seems like such a stupid thing for a business to do — I mean so stupid that it’s beyond comprehension.
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That is really insane. I can’t wrap my head around the lady at the reception desk not saying “I know, I know. It is an absolutely crazy policy. I apologize for being in the position of not taking your business.” Instead she gives you a cow-eyed stare. I mean I’m no Donald Trump but shouldn’t a motherfucker who’s in business want take your money?
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That is my exact thought! Businesses are there to do business.
Also, having a business model and advertising which focuses on walk-in convenience doesn’t line up with appointment making. Jeff said that they get a lot of business from that situation.
— I can’t grasp the bizarre. It’s too big!
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Me (doing my best Jack Nicholson impression, which isn’t all that great): “I want a chicken salad sandwich, hold the chicken…”
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Mmhm, lol — And I walked out without sweeping everything to the floor!
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I think the Marx Brothers would love this story. The most frustrating experience I had was with my previous doctor. I tried to get an appointment but they said he was covering the walk-in clinic (in the sa,e practice and the same building but a different clerk). So, I could see my doctor but I had to pay a $20 copay for using a walk-in clinic instead of my “regular doctor” I’m glad you walked out,
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Did you walk out, too?
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No. I had a very bad case of poison ivy. I needed the meds. But, I did get a new doctor after that.
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That’s ridiculous….and mind-numbing!
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Wow. That is why I go to a barber shop. I walk in and wait. What you say about the clip joint is pretty much the reason why. Who’s on first.
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Ugh, logic is on its way out for good, I suspect.
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I had a somewhat similar experience here when my internet package had expired for the month and I had to get it renewed. Earlier, I never used to inform them about the renewal month after month, because I had given a letter of consent that ‘please auto-renew my account every month irrespective of whether I say or not’. My internet got renewed automatically for 3-4 years without any problems. However, a newly employed girl overlooked it and got my connection disconnected because I failed to inform to renew. I called up the ISP office and found out why my internet wasn’t working. I called her up and asked her to renew it, but she said she needs a confirmation text. I was like WTF, I’m already telling you to do that, why do you need a text? Besides, I’ve given you a letter which already says to renew account monthly automatically. She didn’t buy it. I lost my cool. I kicked my scooter, went to the head office, slammed into the manager’s office, took him with me to the Administration Office and made sure she gets some customer handling lessons directly from her senior. I also got my internet connection up and running in just seconds. She still works at the same office and we often smile at each other whenever I go there for making payments. 🙂
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Good grief!
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I am sorry and sad about this hair salon situation, Joey. This is the way things are going. For me, I am not so happy about more technology, Joey. I handed back my Subway card when I asked how many points I had. In the past, if you had enough for a cookie, they would let me know (I tried to save up for footlong subs. . .) Now, they say I am “no longer registered” until I go online and give my email address. Kohl’s will let you know online if you should print a coupon. If you ask clerk if you have enough credits to get a % they remind you to check your email.
But I give hugs or cheers to Walgreens where a simple card will do, no going online and they can use the card and cash register to tell your points They mailed me coupons and clerks tell me if you have enough points for $5 off my purchades. I am connected to AARP there, too. Way to cater to the elderly 🙂
Sears uses phone number and cash register to check Shop Yiur Wsy points. Speedway uses your card to let you know how many points (or food, candy or drinks) you have. You can use kiosk at Speedway, no need to go to computer. 🙂
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Oh I am SO sick of the email for discounts and coupons thing, Robin! I have an entire email account that is nothing but! So if I wanna purchase something, I go in there and search for promo codes or whatever, but otherwise, I never touch it, and it’s tens of thousands of emails!
I am a fan of the discounts, but not the cards. I must have twenty of those suckers. You’re right, CVS, Walgreens, Speedway, better than some, but still with the cards.
Your situation with the Subway reminds me of how my mother’s points just miraculously disappeared from her hotel and lodging discount program. A card with little exes might have helped! Rawr! lol
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Hmm I would not like that place much. I don’t think I’ve ever made an appointment for a haircut before. I usually just walk in, ask about availability, then sit and wait with a book (I always bring a book)
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Right? That’s how it should go down!
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Two things, Joey. I think the online-centric people who run their business suck, first off. Two, how come they think and act like the really large number of us who live in a real-world age don’t exist?
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Wow seriously? WTF?
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When my laptop quits working, I need an appointment at the Genius Bar. Except to get an appointment at the Genius Bar, I have to book the appointment on line. Kind of hard. 🙂
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Hah! Yeah, that’s a pickle!
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I notice that the sign says, “Walk right in.” It says nothing about getting your hair cut or getting an appointment.
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