[ScrapgirlCindy]

I've had the same hairdresser for many, many years. I like her, I like what she is able to do with my hair. But the last few years I have become less satisfied with her. The main problem is getting an appointment. I called today and she gave me Sept 6 for a simple haircut. I am ready for a haircut today! It will be a long wait. I think she is too busy. I have gone to a few others over the years. I felt disloyal to my gal but really think I am ready to go somewhere else. They can usually get me in the same day or the next, are similar in price. I'm not good at planning ahead so I like to be able to just call up and get in and get out. How long does it take you to get an appointment. Am I unreasonable to think I should be able to get in within a few days of the call? Also, she is not open in the mornings and I am a morning person. I have tried to work around that for a long time and it's been like swimming upstream. lol! Would like to hear from you about your experiences with hair appointments. TIA

[tinkerbell11]

Hi Cindy

I know what you mean about when you need a cut you want it right away, and I too am bad about preplanning ! My stylist is also a bit hard to get into but I have chosen to wait bacause I love how she makes my hair always look great. What if at your next appt you make the next appt in advance if you know about how long it takes in between? I Think if you really love you stylist you will wait for her even if it is a bit annoying. My girl doesn't work Mondays or Tuesdays so I have to work around things too! HTH!

[Sara Arell]

I have also been going to the same hairdresser for many years and in the past two years it has become increasingly difficult to get an appointment without making it in advance. Really, it just tells me that others like her as much as I do! She takes a lot of time when she gives me a haircut and I just need to pre-plan like Shannon said too. I'm very bad about doing that!

[B&K Mom]

I get what you're saying, Cindy. I'm like you...I notice my hair is getting a bit too long/out of shape, but by the time I call it's nigh unto EMERGENCY!!! lol. I LOVE my hair dresser and have gone to her for more than a decade now (wow, that's hard to believe). She does the best color and meticulous cuts...and she fixes it if it doesn't work out quite right...at no extra charge! So to me, it's worth the wait when I can't get in right away. I called on Saturday for an appointment for both me and our girls "sometime this coming week". The first she could get me in was this coming Saturday. Yes, the girls' bangs are way past looking presentable, but it's worth the wait 'til Saturday to spare them the "Mommy bangs"! So I figure I can wait to get a great cut or learn to call sooner.

I liked Shannon's idea of making your appointment in advance. Don't forget to put it on your calendar though! I would certainly forget otherwise (maybe you're better at that than I am! )

Good luck!

[SodScrap]

As a hairdresser...I have been going to the same girl for over 21 years!! She introduces me as "her old boss"....we haven't worked together for 20 years! Sometimes it is time for a change, but I can't imagine changing. I drive almost an hour each way to see her!

When I was working and had a large clientele, I tried to book everyone for their next appointment when they were in. We had an idea of how long they needed and at what point they would go crazy! Some came in every 4 weeks, but some could make it 6 to 8 weeks. As for color appointments, we had an idea when their roots would be bad and try to schedule accordingly. This saved frustration for everyone. I didn't feel like I had to "cram someone in" when they called panicked and they never felt like "I could never get them in" if they called last minute. With that said...it is challenging! I would never call and expect to get in the same day...(or even the same week) however, I'm bad about making my appointments. My schedule is never the same (owning our own businesses)so sometimes it's challenging. But usually, if I know I have an appointment, I can work around it and keep it on the books.

My girl doesn't come in first thing either. This used to bother me, but now...I get all my errands done, and this is my treat at the end of my "chores". I'm usually her first appointment (at say 11 or 1...) so she is on time. It's a win win!

Good luck with your decision!!

[BarbaraC1977]

I do what Conda suggests; book every five weeks, Wed afternoon, 5:00 pm. Beth finds and writes in a time for me while I write her check at the end of the appointment. Sometimes she can work me in sooner for an emergency, but she works long hours (starts as early as 6:30am) and is very popular.

If you have someone whose work you are really pleased with, at a price you can handle, then it may be worth a discussion to figure out best plan for scheduling with her. (I hate changing stylists.)

[CindyLuWho]

I'm like you, Cindy (I mean, besides the fact that we share the same name). When I'm ready, I always hope I can get in within a few days. With my hair gal, she usually can do it that same week. Have you asked her why things have changed?

Anyway, you can always try someone else out and then compare. I did that... then came back to my hair gal.

[Smiles]

My wonderful stylist only works 3 days a week, and she books her regulars out several months in advance, so we get the first choice of times. When I have had to change at the last minute, it can take at least a week to get in. But I know that 4 weeks is it for me.

[JenniferZ]

I love my stylist -- my family (DH + kids) has followed her to three salons. IMHO, a stylist who is busy is worth it! We always book our appointments at our current visit and in October I will book two months out, so I know I can get appointments through the holidays. It is frustrating, sometimes, to have to wait (like when I forgot to book the kids' cuts in advance and had to scramble to get them in before school started), BUT, since we are good clients, she usually finds a way to see us -- even if it means coming in early or staying late for us. Anyway, no one works hair like she does and so we figure out how to make it work!

[princessrunningfingers]

I always book my haircut appts. in advance, every four weeks, and stay at least a month ahead. I suspect most good hair stylists stay pretty booked up.