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trades

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Permalink Reply by Hannah Flynn on September 11, 2012 at 10:22am

I also trade with a cosmetologist and a nail tech, I think your frustration is justified. It comes down to making a deal that you both feel is fair. With my cosmetologist I get haircuts every 4-6 weeks, color every other time and a full style everytime and she gets 30 min. massages every 2-4 weeks. We both like this agreement and we don't worry about how it comes out cost wise but thats not for everyone. Talk with your stylist and find something that you both are happy with.

Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on September 11, 2012 at 11:07am

I have a situation much like Hannah's. I get a haircut every 4 weeks, color every other time (2 color foils, takes some time and effort). I work on my hairdresser about every 3 weeks for 45 min; she was fine with 30 but I don't want to feel rushed. It works well for both of us. It helps that she's known my husband for over 20 years and I've been going to her for about 12 - we had a relationship prior to me going to massage school.

Hannah's suggestion to talk with your stylist and work out an arrangement you are both happy with is a really good one. Trades can and do go south very quickly when one side feels shorted.

Permalink Reply by Hannah Levy on September 11, 2012 at 12:17pm

Hi Jessica -Thanks for posting this as a discussion topic, trades are good topics to discuss! I use to work at a salon and I know that often times, stylists book other services during color processing time or use it for cleaning up and taking a break. So, I'm wondering if maybe your cosmetologist just doesn't realize that you would prefer more hands on time and you are not currently satisfied with the trade agreement. I agree with the Hannah Flynn and Therese that you should definitely talk to her and do a little mutual checking in about the trade with each other. I think that suggesting she complete the service by styling your hair is a good way to let her know you would like 1 hour total hands-on service time as part of your mutual trade.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes!

-Hannah

Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on September 15, 2012 at 9:02am

Fair is subjective. You will save yourself a lot of pain and suffering by eliminating the word from your vocabulary, especially when you are trying to make an objective decision.

The only thing that matters is whether you would rather be paid for your massage and then pay ANY hair dresser to cut your hair, or would you rather keep the same arrangement.

Take the emotion out of it -- this is a business decision. When you pay to have your hair done, the stylist leaves you in foils and goes and works on other customers, or eats lunch, or plays on facebook. Why do you care?

You are paying for / trading for an outcome. So long as you acheive that outcome in exchange for your money or massage, it is OBJECTIVELY equitable.

Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on September 15, 2012 at 11:08am

Well put, R&R!

Permalink Reply by Gael Wood on September 15, 2012 at 7:12pm

sounds fair to me, cut & color is expensive! I think you are comparing apples & oranges.

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on September 16, 2012 at 2:44am

I always liked doing a sort of semi-trade.. Trade a twenty dollar bill back and fourth.

Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on September 16, 2012 at 8:24am

Can she give manicures? while the dye sets, she could condition and trim the nails.

Permalink Reply by Abram Herman on September 18, 2012 at 1:33pm

You're trading the value of the service, not the amount of manual labor time. I personally would find it fair, as long as the services you are trading have the same monetary value.
That being said, if you don't feel it's fair, it's certainly valid for the two of you to negotiate something that would feel better on your end, so that you're both on the same page.

Permalink Reply by Toni Picone on October 1, 2012 at 2:03pm

I trade massage services for many things including having my car repaired and personal training/boxing lessons or pottery lessons. I also trade sessions for HONEST critiques, write-ups and social media/website referrals/marketing. I make sure that both parties are clear on the terms. I am thinking more along the lines of value then the amount of time spent.

I do not have my hair colored but I do know that there is the set time and there is not much a stylist can do in that time. In your case maybe more clarification as to the terms of the trade or re-negotiations are needed. it seems like other here have posted some great suggestions along these lines.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Leda M. Hornberger on October 1, 2012 at 2:19pm

I too had a friend that I would trade Massage for Hair and color treatment's. She would have NEVER let me leave until I looked just FANTASTIC :) Even when my hair was setting for that 20 min she would pour me some wine and sit and talk with me.... she always had a nice snack on hand. Boy do I miss that trade....maybe I should have stayed in Colorado ;)