The Grudge (Overdue Ed)

October 16, 2010

THE MANAGER

CARLO REYES HAIR SALON

Mart-One Branch

Dumaguete City

Sir/Madame:

I am writing your establishment to file a complaint and seek explanation for the conduct of your employees during my visit today.

I first arrived in your salon at about 30 minutes past twelve noon to avail of your affordable hair cut services. I was told that you have only one haircutter and as of this time, there are already five customers queuing for his service. There were two more customers who came after me and they were told of the same thing. I decided to leave your premises to have lunch and just come back later. I was offered to avail of the other services (eg. Hair Spa, Hot Oil) which comes with free haircut already before I left.

I wanted to save time so I proceeded to take my lunch and do other errands before going back to the Salon. I arrived at about 20 minutes past one o’clock in the afternoon. I was informed of the same scenario that I had to wait – there is only one cutter. I asked about the other services which were written on a paper on the reception counter. I was entertained by an obviously pregnant employee. She politely answered about my inquiries (re: difference between hair spa and hot oil, etc). I decided to get the hair spa. She then offered the other treatment that sounded like “Mikuna” which I agreed to get at a cost of three hundred fifty pesos. At this point, I understood that I will be getting a hair spa, plus the “Mikuna” treatment and the hair cut, which is really the reason of my visit, for a total amount of five hundred fifty pesos.    

She proceeded to give me the treatment. I was seated in the back of the room nearest to the sink where she had washed my hair. She even gave me an additional service of hair iron which I appreciated. After she had ironed my hair, she told me that “Maam, humana maam. Ayaw sa og bas-a imong buhok ugma ha.” I answered back, “ang akong hair cut? Ang akong purpose ngano ko nianhi…” She retorted back, “Ay sorry maam. Nakalimot na nuon ko.” She had also asked me the type of cut (straight) and the length (about 4 inches). She gestured to cut only about two inches which I agreed. She went to the receptionist area in the front of the room. I can see reflected in the mirror that she had talked with another employee (male, heavy built). A little while ago, this male employee had taken over the ironing of my hair for a few minutes when he requested to let the pregnant lady buy some food for him. It must be his lunch because when she came back they were talking about fish left in the cabinet. I thought of this male employee as the only cutter because I saw him earlier taking care of another customer.

When she came back, I was surprised that she already had a pair of scissors and comb on her hand. She proceeded to cut my hair. Another female employee even commented that “higher level naka ha!” When she was finished, the same female co-employee again commented, “pagka-perfect kaayo.”

I am seeking your action on two concerns. One, I believe that with such above act, your employees had misled/deceived me. If the pregnant lady is competent based on your standards to accomplish the Carlo Reyes-quality of doing the haircut, then I supposed she should not have said that there is only one cutter and that I had to wait, that I can avail of the other services while I am waiting, during the beginning of our interaction. I do understand that you need to market and sell your other services. This is business, after all. Second, I came to your hair salon with full confidence that I will get the best value for my hard-earned money. I appreciated that I have a better looking hair now than before I had the treatment. However, I would like to emphasize that I did receive good service from your employees until that haircut was made. I feel that the side comments of the other employees confirmed my belief that the pregnant lady who is doing the hair cut on me is not the “only one” cutter they were referring in the beginning.  I waited for any effort of explanation from your employees but none came. At this point, it is my belief that I have received a derisory hair cut from your salon. I do not mind being taken care of an employee who is on-training for as long as somebody who is experienced/senior will be supervising.

I am hoping for a response/an action from your end regarding this matter.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

ME

N.B.

The "beautiful hair" lasted only after the first hairwash; I did not even get to gloat about it...=(

Tsk,tsk, tsk,