It seems odd to me that they would tell you the stylist charges less and then charge you more. In the salon I go to, I would be comfortable with any of the stylists doing my hair in an emergency. I think they all charge about the same.

Depending on the amount of expertise, many salons have different prices for each stylist. She should have only charged what she normally gets unless she's doing it as a favor and letting the $ go to the pregnant stylist. Also, many salons rent out chairs for stylists so they, essentially, are working for themselves and the owner gets a monthly stipend.

Yes, the odd part is that she admitted to charging you more than what her personal charge is.

In some salons there can be a big gap between the more or lesser experienced stylists.

Sounds like the alternate stylist is charging the same as the regular so the regular won't loose clients while on leave.

But the alternate wanted the client to know that if client decides to change stylist the client will save some $$$ when leave is over. Just in case. My bet is regular won't appreciate alternate for mentioning the price difference.

What Turquiose said, that is what my sister said too. Why should alternate charge regulars fee if regular didn't do the work. I could see if the alternate charged MORE than the regular stylist and offered to charge the lower fee since that is what the client is normally used to paying. I told sis to asked at the next appt what the alternate usually charges for that same services. Just to see. Either way, sis was happy with her work so I'm sure she didn't mind paying what she usually pays but I thought it was odd how the alternate stylist worked that.

My problem is that my wonderful hair cutter disappeared when my hair salon went out of business, and I have no way of finding her. :( I did get a decent cut a couple weeks ago, but I'd really prefer my old stylist back. Oh, well.

Always... wonder if the new stylist got mixed up. She doesn't seem to be the brightest bulb, evidenced by telling you the payment arrangement, whatever it should be - that is not at all cool. Maybe there are some stylists who charge more than your old stylist and were asked to do her clients for the lower price. I've never heard of such a thing as charging more than someone usually charges and can't think of any rationale for it. I guess to try to keep the clients from migrating to the cheaper stylists after your regular returns, as someone mentioned. But, boy, she needs to learn to keep her mouth clamped shut!

Artemis, that is so strange. You'd think she would have contacted all her clients to let them know where she is. It takes a long time to build a good clientele. I wonder if she decided to get out of the business?

Artemis, I have sometimes been able to track stylists through Yelp reviews. You might try looking through the Yelp reviews for salons near the old one and see if anyone mentions your former stylist by name.

I agree with Maddie, alternate stylist mentioned she is less in hopes of retaining your sister as a client.

Artemis I have had success tracking stylists via yelp and Google. If you know her last name great but if the first name is a bit unique that can work too. Also try other stylists from the place that closed, they may know where your person is.

that would be really odd!! i could see if the alternate stylist usually charges more than the regular stylist charging the same price as the regular stylist as a favor to the clients to the girl out on leave, but it makes no sense for a 'lesser' stylist(in experience or education or however they charge) to up her charge!!