Awful experience at GMs hairdressers :(

[Jellybeanz]

I have been going to GMs for years and years and always found them reliable, fairly reasonable (comparatively - for this area!), if slow service.

I went today and my goodness, my last visit I wasn't impressed to find that a blow dry wasn't included in a haircut price (had to ask her for the brush and dryer in the end and do it myself, wasn't willing to walk out looking like wurzel gummidge) but TODAY was so much worse...

Usually happy staff had been replaced by grumpy / sour faced teens, the girl who did my hair looked like she had sucked a lemon and didn't speak to me throughout except to laugh [once] at something her colleague said to her.

She even huffed when I had a sip of my drink (as she had to stop for at least 5 seconds).

Then the worst part - the hair wash. My gawd I have never known such a rough wash in my life. The only saving grace was that she didn't have the usual false nails. I felt like my head was in a spin dryer being tumble dried. "Do you want a head massage" usually meets a "Yes please!" erm not today thanks. If she could do that when washing imagine what a head massage would be like - cheese grater treatment perhaps?!

I expect the woman also having a hair wash had similarly rough experience as she also declined a massage and looked eager to get back out into the salon daylight and have her hair finished (by the lovely Millie - one recognisable face, lovely as ever).

Once the "rough drying" began - which essentially meant a comb through and her running her chewed nails through my hair whilst waving the dryer somewhere near my head - I knew I was at risk of looking worse than when I came in and paying for the privilege. And I did. My parting was wrong. She said "Is that dry enough?" (erm well, let's see do I want to go outside with damp hair when I have a cold and after paying ?50 for highlights?!). I guess so. What's the point in making a fuss, just to be met with more grimaces or possibly shocked faces at someone daring to point out their inadequacies. Surely I should just be grateful I got a half price offer.

To top it off the lingering at the till when I paid was almost too much. Really, you expect a tip of any kind after that treatment???

My tip is charge less, treat customers better, include a blow dry in whatever the customer is having, and BE NICE :)

I shall only be returning on a Saturday when it is busy enough for you to get great treatment to a trusty hairdresser I have had before!

What a shame, a lovely day ended by me being out of pocket and looking hardly any better. Humph.

[Curmudgeon]

You're going back?

I gave up on that please years ago when the stylists held a conversation over my head about what they were doing that weekend - so very rude!

[Monkey]

Yes, I noticed things have changed. Not going back either after bad haircut. Thought perhaps it was just me but obviously not!

[Jellybeanz]

hmm might not go back - but everywhere else SO ridiculously pricey... i usually wait for GMs 50% off offer and grin n bear it, tho today has me thinking twice.

[FatherJack]

Go and see Miquel at Rocks!

Edited to say his shop is in Grove Lane and was once Odie and Amanda.

[Belle]

Kuki on Bellenden Rd is much more reasonable than GMs, if you want to go to a salon. Or Carly, a mobile hairdresser who is great and much used by forumites - if you do a search her number will come up, I've used her for brazilian blowdry, cut and colour and been very happy with all 3. She's very reasonable.

[cactus]

They charged me ?20 for my 8 year olds haircut, he was in the chair for a 15 minute trim!

[bluesuperted]

The lovely Shingo at Kuki is brill. ?40 for cut and blow dry and he's really charming :)

[sbarry]

I heartily recommend Harold George in Dulwich, I used to go to GMs for many years but got a bit fed up at having to go back more than once to have my colour redone the next day - unacceptable considering the very high prices they charge and I also found the colour product they changed to a year or so ago irritates my scalp(not their fault really I guess). Harold George is fantastic in my opinion, not trying to be trendy but very professional, lovely staff and prices are reasonable.

[verds]

I had some rubbish highlights at GMs last year (that'll teach me to always go on special offer day), but I plucked up the courage to complain and they were very nice about correcting them. Haven't been back though!

I'd recommend Shingo for cut, Carly for colour. In fact, Shingo is so good you don't need to go so often as the style really lasts.

[hazelnunhead]

I can also recommend Kuki's (Shingo, although all stylists look equally good) .....

[Bonfire2010]

I also recommend Kuki (I usually go to Pauline, but have also had my hair done by Shingo and Gemma who were both good). I think I am the only person who doesn't rate Miguel at Rocks Hair, I was really disappointed with the cut he gave me - everyone else seems to think he's great though so maybe just me!

[Gooders79]

Have to disagree about Harold George, my one and only experience there resulted in me requesting they reo my fringe twice only to do it myself at home as there were bits two inches longer than the rest.... Awful experience, I am however very funny about hairdressers...

[StraferJack]

But starting two identical threads??

[crystal7]

I had a not great experience at GMs last week. Any suggestions other than Kuki? Have been there a few times and agree it'great but I can only ever go at the weekend and you have to book a month in advance for Shingo/Pauline...

[Bellenden Belle]

Bonfire2010 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think I am the only person

> who doesn't rate Miguel at Rocks Hair, I was

> really disappointed with the cut he gave me -

> everyone else seems to think he's great though so

> maybe just me!

Nope - you're not alone. I've had three cuts with Miguel. The first was fab, second was awful but I blamed myself for picking the wrong style, but the third time I concluded it wasn't me, just a poor cut.

It's quite a chaotic disorganised environment too - some might find that charming, I found it irritating.

[colababe]

I go to 'Changes' in west dulwich and have Lynn she's amazing love it there been going my whole life

[tomskip]

I really like the new hairdressers, The Galleon, on the corner of Dunstans Road and Forest Hill Road.

I have never had my hair cut at GM. I had an appointment booked there once, many moons ago when they first opened, for 10am. At 10.30, when my stylist was still attending to someone else, I upped and left and never went back.

[redmonkey]

My hairdresser, Julie, is fabulous. She is a mum who no longer wants to work in a salon but has years of salon experience including working with Vidal Sassoon. She will come to your house and her prices are extremely reasonable. She doesn't do colour, but I just have that done elsewhere. Her number is 07771618923.

[JessM]

In defence of GMs, I too have been going for years and still rate it!

Lesley is great IMO. I have had worse cuts from more junior people but never so bad anyone else noticed!

Interesting they're now charging for use of a hair dryer though!?

[twinsmom]

I love GMs and have never had a bad cut or highlights.

[number 2]

me neither, though i go up to the one in crystal palace as my favourite stylist moved up there. i love it and guisi is always great.

[Jo.newman]

I'm a mobil hairdresser with 25 years experience please feel free to get in touch. I cover most areas in South East London and charge half the price you would pay in a salon x