MAChostage
Well-known member
First, let me preface this rant with the statement that I know that not all nail salons and nail techs are bad. But I'm noticing a really negative set of trends and lately I could just scream. Please allow me to get this off my chest. Nail techs: you are more than welcome to chime in!
I've been getting my nails done for at least 20 years now. I've got long natural nails that I have an acrylic overlay added to. I enjoy going to get my bi-weekly fills and my regular pedicures. It's an indulgence that I look forward to but it's becoming more of a chore anymore. Like many people, I go to Asian owned/run salons, because that's pretty much the only choice that many of us have anymore. Like most cities, there's one of these salons on every corner. Since they're in such abundance, I feel that this is a major part of the problem. Lately I've bounced from salon to salon for the following reasons:
I'm really frustrated, folks, if you can't already tell. And it seems like things are just getting worse and worse.
I've been getting my nails done for at least 20 years now. I've got long natural nails that I have an acrylic overlay added to. I enjoy going to get my bi-weekly fills and my regular pedicures. It's an indulgence that I look forward to but it's becoming more of a chore anymore. Like many people, I go to Asian owned/run salons, because that's pretty much the only choice that many of us have anymore. Like most cities, there's one of these salons on every corner. Since they're in such abundance, I feel that this is a major part of the problem. Lately I've bounced from salon to salon for the following reasons:
- The techs at these places act like they're in some mad rush. No one seems to take their time anymore to do a quality job. It seems to be all about the money, herd as many customers as you can through in the least amount of time. They no longer care if you're satisfied with the job or not, because they constantly have an influx of new people.
- TAKE OFF ALL MY OLD NAIL POLISH, dammit! More and more I'm going in and the tech will do a half-ass job of taking off my old nail polish and, if not caught/corrected, will just do a fill over spots of old polish, forever sealing it in. They obviously see it, but don't give a freak.
- Speaking of taking off all my old nail polish, when you let the remover seep underneath my nail, taking some of the old polish with it, why on earth would you let me get out of your chair and leave your salon without cleaning up the mess you've caused underneath my nail? Don't you even care about the quality of your own work? Oh, that's right, you've got a bevy of new fools coming in daily and aren't worried about retaining faithful customers!
- So you only apply the product to the base of the nail (at the cuticle) when performing a fill now? I guess you're trying to use the least amount of product possible.
- Why don't you use a base coat? I've NEVER understood this! Some salons will use a base coat on the toes when doing pedicures, but you won't find them using one on fingers. Gotta keep time spent with a customer to a minimum, I guess!
- Why the attitude when I point out something I don't like or that was overlooked (like the old polish you're about to fill over). I'm a paying customer, and I have a right to let you know when there's something that isn't to my satisfaction -- without your nasty and offended attitude.
- Speak English in front of your English speaking customers. If you are in the salon with no customers and want to speak in your native tongue that's fine, but I consider it rude when you insist on sitting there talking around me. It's unprofessional, IMO.
- Don't sit and gab on the phone on personal calls when you're working on customers. Again, it's unprofessional and this is MY time.
- Your old uncle/dad/mother, whomever, is rude to customers and talks to them any kind of way and you allow it. I'm told this is cultural, that children/younger people never correct their elders. Forget that! It's bad for business.
- If you start with me don't switch me over to another tech because your "appointment" just arrived or because you want to go eat or smoke. Finish the job!
I'm really frustrated, folks, if you can't already tell. And it seems like things are just getting worse and worse.
not cool! i have never had a mani or pedi before so no clue what things are like in the uk!
