Ok, in the scope of things, this isn't a real issue but I'm ranting...per the subhead.
Argh. So I'm on bedrest with a high risk pg. After 71 days of laying in bed, Wednesday I decide "hmm, I'd love, and I mean LOVE, a manicure."
A real one. Not me laying sideways painting my nails off the side of the bed. In the scope of things, is this important? NO. Is it necessary? NO. I just want one. A treat so to speak. Is it a little princessy? I'm not sure. $20 for a treat when I've been laying down for 70 plus days? I think maybe I'm ok for wanting it.
So I live in a suburban Boston community - not urban, no real crime except for wayward kids and minor car accidents, your typical New England commuter town. To be honest the type of town where there is a certain segment of the population that maintains that the “American girls” are cleaner then the “Vietnamese” salons. (which is bull, and actually the reverse)
Using handy dandy Google, I go online and pull up some local higher end salons. I'd LOVE to ask the woman from the local shop, whom I adore and is a cutie and PERFECT, but there is too much of a language barrier between us to coordinate at home services.
So I call 4 local "english speaking" salons. The same salons who go on about being "spas" vs "nail salons". I start with a polite "Hi, my name is Name and I live locally. I've lived in the community for x years and I'm hoping you can help me with a salon service. Do you have a minute?" (yes, they say) me: "Terrific, this is really awkward but I am home on bedrest and have been for some time. I'm wondering if you have a manicurist who'd be willing to take on a client in her home" (pause. stammer. noises of disinterest, misc chit chat) Me , perkily, "I know, this is such an odd request!" (grunt) "I understand you probably have to discuss it so just to give you some background if it helps. I live on XYZ and I have an older, in home care woman who comes daily so the manicurist wouldn't be alone. I can provide references, and pay them independent of the shop so the shop doesn't have to assume liability." (salon response "so wait, what do you want now? You want a manicure but you cant come in?") me: "Really, just a referal to a manicurist. Any help at all or just even a pass along of my tel. would be appreciated. They can call me directly. Also, just so you know, I'm not incapacitated; I'm just not able to drive etc."
To a one, the person I talked to at each salon was so patently rude - in tone that is. Just REALLY put out. I got 1 outright "No, I don’t think so" (hmm, don’t bother checking or anything) 2 "I'll have to check with my boss's" (TOTALLY fine! and then no call back and it's two days later), 1 bitchy receptionist who asked me to spell my 5 letter name 15 times and who finally said "yeah, we need to let you know" and hung up on me. I also got 1 "yes, and I'll call you Thursday to confirm the time" and then was blown off.
So let me just say this.
Dear Salon:
I'm a professional female, of a certain age, with a schedule that necessitates (and a combined family income that allows me to pay for) not only this service but many others. Tacky to mention? Yes. But from a marketing standpoint, I'm the exact demographic you desire. I've live in your community and expect to have some combination of baby shower, wedding shower, bridal party "spa day" and day of wedding services done....SOMEWHERE near my house all before this November. Not to mention, as a new mother, I'm not going to want to go far for the basics - haircuts etc. so I'll be around for those. In addition, an easy treat for my nieces, future mother-in law, and step-mom is a weekly Saturday manicures followed by a sandwich in the center. I do this about 2 times a month.
I have money to spend, I’m respectful of your time, grateful for your work, and I’m loyal. I’m looking for a manicure today but who knows what in the future.
You, the salon, advertise in the local paper, online, in super coupons, and in some cases, on local billboards. You are competing not only with other small businesses in town but with the proximity to Boston issue (i.e. "the I only go to Newbury Street" crowd). Your spending a ton of money to try and get “my” business.
So your phone rings and here I am, CLOSE BY, requesting assistance.
Now maybe "No" IS the answer. I'm ok with that. But what amazes me is that not ONE person said "No" with any graciousness. I mean, maybe a "Oh my goodness, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I DO wish we could accommodate you but I think there are some liability concerns" or a "We've never had this experience/request, may I take your name and call you back?" Then call me back and lie to me... whatever. But for crying out loud, be POLITE people. Instead you are acting as if I called for a masseuse and a happy ending!
Here was an opportunity! If you had come through, don't you realize that you would have earned my undying gratitude? that i would have told everyone and anyone how grateful I was, how caring you as a business were? that you were "amazing" and totally compassionate and the type of place I'd want to frequent??? and that THEY should too??? HELLO?? Even if you hadn’t come through, but at a minimum wished me well or been polite, Id have remembered you as being courteous, and genuine. But instead I got treated like a pariah.
Listen, I GET that what I was asking might be a bit strange. Fine. I get it. I GET that someone might feel hesitant, concerned about safety, I GET IT! I'm ok with the word NO. I have clear coat and a file. I'll work it out. But to be so f*cking astonished that someone would ask? To be rude about it? Wow, way to act like a white trash surburban salon. Sorry that I won't be in to get my mushroom haircut and french manicure once I'm up and about.\
As far as I'm concerned, someday I'm going to be ambulatory again. And (like Scarlet O’Hara) "with God as my witness" I will never patronize an of these salons. Ever. And if anyone asks me what I know about your salon, I'll volunteer "not much, but when I was on bedrest, I called them and the receptionist was just ignorant. I wouldn’t bother with them…"
It would be great if I could have the Julia Roberts “big mistake” pretty woman moment, but let’s be honest here, it’s a manicure.
Sigh.
Vent over….
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