Manicure
The High Cost of Good Grooming
Sunday, August 31st, 2008 | Random Thoughts | No Comments
So I had this client a few days ago — we’ll call him Steve Jasper (actually, that’s his name). It was Steve’s first visit to our shop and he seemed nervous. Normally, people don’t start getting nervous until they get to know us a little better.
What the hell are you so nervous about,” I asked. “Well, uh, it’s just that I’ve never had a haircut at one of these budget places,” he responded. Budget places? At $20 for haircut, I’ve never had our shop compared to a budget place. “I’m used to paying $50 for a haircut,” Steve told me. I combed through the haircut — which was not very well blended, shaped or finished — and responded, “For this?”
Steve, like so many other guys who are a bit pompous — sorry, Steve — often believe that price equals quality. Choosing a barber can be lot like shopping for wine. I’ve had some great $19 bottles of wine and some really shitty $100 wines. It all depends on the quality of the grape and the skill of the vintner. A good haircut depends entirely on the skill of the barber, regardless of price.
Recently, I had the chance to sample a new “upscale” shop which opened in Atlanta. Interesting place — very dark and sterile. The cutting floor was so damned dark I didn’t feel comfortable with them using sharp objects around my head, so instead of the $60 haircut, I opted for the $35 Executive Manicure. When the manicurist was finished, my nails looked like I’d chewed them off myself. The Korean lady down the block does a much better job for just $14. Yeah, so I sometimes get a manicure — doesn’t make me less of a man. My buddy Alan irons his sheets. Now that’s girly!
Of course, there are some exceptionally good $50 a cut barbers out there — just as there are some outstanding barbers who charge around 20 bucks. There are also some butchers on both sides of the price range. So, how do you find a good barber that fits your budget? Well, of course, you can come to an American Haircuts® store. If you don’t live near us, just find a guy with a similar haircut and ask him where he gets cut. Look for shops that are clean, modern and well staffed. Shops which offer appointments are more likely to be the types of places that will spend an adequate amount of time to make sure the job is done right.
Stay away from any place with Super, Great, Fantastic or Clips in the name. Also avoid any place which spells cut with a “k.” That’s just my opinion, but it’s served me well.
Of course, if you visit our store, we pledge to always hire skilled haircutters who will give you a great haircut and make sure you have a good time for a fair price.
Dave Alexander is a partner in Metro Men’s Grooming and American Haircuts as well as the Men’s Hair Guide for About.com.