Ok, I really need a haircut, but I have no time or money to go swanky like usual. My hair is straight and it’s a pretty basic cut. Still, I’m hella nervous about getting a $4.99 haircut. I mean, if you’re good at doing hair, why would you work for so little when you could charge $50 for a haircut? I think I’m going after work, but I’m feeling scared about it.
I’ve had my hair trimmed at GC before. Both my kids as well. It’s not somewhere I’d go to have a really complex cut done and I wouldn’t expect miracles, but they did a good job on mine and my girls’ hair.
The one bummer is that they are only walk-in–which means when they’re running the sale cut, it’s an hour wait–Ick…I have zero patience! 
I do prefer somewhere more classy though!
I go to Great Clips all the time.
And by “all the time” I mean the one time a year when I need a haircut desperately and my boyfriend isn’t around to do it for me.
I’ve got real curly long hair. So even if the cutter can’t cut a straight line, when the curls spring up you can’t tell. So it’s not worth spending lots of money on a “real” salon.
Now, having said that, when I’ve gone, the gals who’ve cut my hair seem reasonably competent. If it’s just a basic trim, I’d say take your chances. If you’ve got layers and more complicated stuff, you might be better served going elsewhere.
I’d say throw caution to the wind, though.
Hm. Am I missing something here?
FTR, I cut my husband’s hair and I’ve cut my own more than a time or two, so I think I have a frame of reference. I’ve always gone to a cheap walk-in place, but I have been to a couple swanky salons. I’ve noticed not a whit of difference in the actual cut.
The only place I saw the difference was in the time it took to get the cut done, the amount I was fussed over, and the amount of products I was barraged with upon leaving.
I’d say go for it. I don’t see why anyone would charge $50 for a service that can easily be done well for under $10.
If you’re talking something more complex like coloring or perming, though, then I would expect a salon to be your best bet.
Whoa! What Great Clips in Indy is charging $4.99?!? Sign me up!
Oh, and I see a lot of younger girls at GC, and they seem pretty happy coming out. Not that I’m suggesting you’re in grade school or anything, but I figure if anyone’s going to be picky about their hair, it’s going to be an adolescent girl.
[sub]I am sooo going to get slapped for this, aren’t I?[/sub]
Great Clips is my regular hair place. In fact, I’m as attached to my Great Clips stylist as people are to their $50-haircut stylists.
Sure, go for it. What’s the worst that can happen? If they butcher it, you go and get it repaired for the price you’d normally pay, and you’re only out a few bucks. If you like it, you remember the stylist’s name and never pay for an expensive haircut again.
I wouldn’t even consider spending more than $15 for a haircut.
I go to a similar type of chain (called BoRics) for my haircuts, and they cost under $10 for a cut. Then again, I get a simple cut done, no styling, just a straight-cut bob. If I wanted anything more tricky, like a dye or something, I might go elsewhere, but I certainly would never pay $50 for a simple haircut.
The last time I went to a place that charged that much, I was a bridesmaid and went with the bride and the maid of honor to a salon to get our hair put up and styled for the wedding. They spent at least a half hour on each of us, and our hairstyles lasted all day, so I’d definitely say that was worth it.
I notice a HUGE difference between a cheap haircut and a swanky salon. I did Great Clips about 6 months ago and I HATED IT! It’s also best to get your hair colored or highlighted professionally. Really.
The worst haircut I ever got was at a Great Clips. Lesson learned: if it takes someone 45 minutes to do a simple haircut, they have no idea what they’re doing. I imagine it’s where stylists have to settle for working if they can’t get work elsewhere (ie, either just out of beautician school, or just plain bad at their job). Thankfully there was another person there to salvage the hack job the first woman did; and this was for just a regular short-hair guy cut. No thank you, I’ll spend the extra money to not look like crap.
Actually, I do spend $50 for a haircut – I’ve been going to this guy for 15 years plus (it used to be a barain at $35). My hair looks great clean, dirty, right after the haircut, and 3 or 4 months later when it’s time to go in again. (I’m currently growing it out again, so it’s 4). I am ridiculously frugal about everything else in my life (I don’t have cable TV, fercryin’outloud), but the haircuts are worth it.
On the other hand, I think I’m the one who’s nuts here.
No, you are absolutely not insane if you go to Great Clips for a haircut. Take it from me, someone who knows a great deal about hair care, that is not a bad decision. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up and expect more from it than what you’ll get. If you have easy hair to work with, if it was well-cut the last time to begin with, if you have a hair cutter who understands the language you speak, these will all increase your success. Communication with these haircutters is crucial in discount salons such as these. Their idea of layers may be different from your idea of layers, for instance, and if there is a communication gap, you could be in for a surprise. Just describe simply what you want and realize that it will be satisfactory but not luxurious.
Ditto, I had to quit going to SuperCuts because they got “too expensive” for me. (I think they’re up to $12 or $13 now.)
It’s only hair, for cryin’ out loud! It’s not like you’re going to a discount neurosurgeon or something.
yes supercuts have jacked up their price over the years to the point that their not all that super anymore. I still go to them because the only cheaper place that I know of in the lemon tree (at about $9) but had one bad cut from them.
Well I pay $40 for my hair in a swanky salon. It’s my only vice, and it is SO worth it.
They massage my scalp with mint oil before the shampoo. I swear I’d move in if they’d let me.
I go to SuperCuts. I’ve found that the haircut I get can range from pretty bad to better than an expensive one. It’s just a gamble, especially since the one near me has an extremely high turnover (I don’t think I’ve ever had the same person more than twice).
I go to a privately owned salon and I pay 9 bucks a hair cut, plus a two dollar tip. (is that right? One or two dollars?)
My stylist, Donna, is great-and we’re rather friendly with her and share books. (She lends me Stephen King books sometimes).
I’ve been going to that place since I was a kid, and I don’t regret it.
Yep, I love the Great Clips. I did have a fairly complex hairdo done last time, and it looks great. You do have to be careful, of course, just like anywhere there are good and bad stylists. So if they do have a wait, stay and watch the stylists work. You may find that you’d like to let someone go ahead of you.
The Manners Mavens say that you should tip 15-20%, unless it’s the owner of the business. In which case, they’re getting all the money anyways so no tip. But do remember to tip the shampoo person, if there is one.
Are you tipping for service or to give charity to an underpaid worker?
Ok, I chickened out and did not go to Great Clips. There was a nice salon next door and they cut it for $26 plus a $4 tip. It looks good and I am glad I didn’t risk my hair to save a few bucks. I am paranoid about getting my hair cut since I’ve been growing it for about two years and it’s the longest it’s ever been. So, today I feel happy and better about my hair. Yay.