I am one of those people that go everywhere to get my haircut done. Instead of going to a salon and staying with the same hair stylist that I am comfortable with, I choose where I get my haircut because of promotions, coupons, availability.
Over the weekend, I went to get a haircut from Sport Clips Haircuts – a place that is tailored for men. When I sat down, this is basically the conversation that took place.
Stylist: Hi, my name is X, how are you doing?
MoneyNing: Doing great, nice to meet you.
Stylist: Is this your first time here?
MoneyNing: Yup.
Stylist: Great, let me upgrade you to our MVP package.
MoneyNing: What’s that?
Stylist: It includes your standard haircut and a massaging shampoo, steamed towel, conditioner, and a neck and shoulder massage.
I did not want the extra service that cost more money since I came here for a haircut. If I wanted a massage, I would go somewhere else. I didn’t decline the offer since I didn’t want to upset him before he took my haircut, but I declined afterwards.
When I was at the cashier after the haircut, the stylist came out and told the cashier to put in the system that I didn’t get the first-time MVP package yet.
Is getting the MVP package and paying more a requirement to have a haircut from Sport Clips? Also, the stylist mentioned that it was an “upgrade”, but yet I have to pay for it. How strange?
Apparently, this is supposed to be a free service but I was told by the employee there that day to pay extra for it. Is it just one poorly trained employee or is there something else at work? I’m not sure but perhaps one day I will find out.
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{ 92 comments }
Croaks! I’m surprised you still got the haircut from them if you felt this way
I finally ditched chain places for an traditional barber shop like I had always gone to as a kid, and I’m so much happier =)
There’s one near me. I think you misunderstood or you were just too paranoid. They offered me the upgrade also, but it was definitely free for all new customers. That’s probably why they asked you if you’d been there before. The reason the chains are growing in number is because traditional “barbers” are retiring in huge numbers and nobody seems willing to invest in the training expense and time to learn to become a new one. There’s none left in my area at all!
Anna: I figured driving around looking for another barber shop wasn’t something I wanted to do so I just went with the program!
Modern: Actually I used to go to a salon where I know my hair stylist and I prefer it that way. It’s just that it is more expensive.
Fred: Maybe I didn’t hear them correctly or there was a mixup since I asked them and they said I would have to pay.
I noticed that there are less and less barbers also. Honestly though, the people in the chains aren’t really that good at styling your hair. They can use those clips and trim off your hair, but don’t expect them to give you a good look.
I think that to become a licensed “barber” you actually take more and different training, (in most States) than to become a licensed “cosmetologist”. I think barber’s focus almost exclusively on men’s cuts while cosmetologists are more focused on styling/coloring/etc. for women. The chains don’t make money on men’s cuts unless they are done quickly. If men want the time-consuming styling that women get, we would have to pay the higher prices probably.
Fred: Actually there are many things that can be done to a men haircut also but I don’t believe most people know/care about this in the states.
I can’t imagine haircut chains not making money though if they have enough customers since they spend 15 minutes on a cut and get $10-$20 for it as they virtually have no consumables.
It’s interesting how many chains there are though. Sport Clips, Fantastic Sams, Supercuts, Great Clips just to name a few.
You should try the MVP package and let us know how you like it!! I will donate $1 for your MVP package next time. Any one else? : )
May I ask how much you pay for after all? Do you like the haircut? I assume your fiancee will say something about it, right?
Anna: Donations are welcome but no thanks to the MVP package.
Emily: My fiancee said the haircut looked good (I don’t think she actually noticed until I told her I had an haircut). The haircut turned out to be $18.
As far as possible stay away from hair styling saloons. Go to a traditional barber. They do a better job.
A doctor, lawyer and a barber should not be changed. At least with these 3 people, loyalty pays
The more fancy the saloon, the more lousy the haircut. My personal experience.
Philip: I think whether it is a salon, a barber shop, a haircut chain, or your home, your haircut should be done with someone you are comfortable with since your hair is a big part of your appearance!
I would have upgraded. It sounds quite nice. And you only live once.
plonkee: Sure we only live once but it’s not like it’s a once in a life time opportunity.
Maybe that’s why I keep trying to create wealth since I can say “yes” to these upgrades in the future!
I can never get the same haircut twice so I don’t bother asking for anything fancy or going to anyplace fancy. I go to the cheapest place I can find which is $7 plus $2 for the tip.
I go to this place where you have to pull a number and have to sit on the benches. there are 8 barbers that barely speak any english. #3 on the sides & #5 on top is all I need to say!
I’d also like to add, anytime I’ve been to a fancy place and actually had a perfect haircut, the hairdresser either retired or quit within 30 days.
I can’t stand sportclips. They butchered a “high and tight”. It’s the easiest haircut, just shave the sides, shave the head, you don’t really need scissors.
Adventures: I’m sorry to hear about your bad experiences at those “fancy places”. At least you found what you like now which is also cheap!
Eric: I noticed that from everyone else that walked out of that place so I was a little scared at first. I asked him to make sure my hair isn’t cut too short and it turned out okay.
REALLY THE BEST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN A BARBERSHOP, FRIENDLY AND A GREAT HAIRCUT. I’M SOLD ON SPORTCLIPS
dennis: Good to hear that you found something you like. I noticed that they turn your chair so you are facing the TV though (it was showing football at the time) so maybe that helped with your experience?
You know, something occurred to me after a bad experience at a Target store last week. It’s so darned easy for customers to say something like “I hate “blank” because they “blankety blank blank”". But I realized that really, just about any bad experience at a store/restaurant/etc. comes down to the person(s) that served you, and not necessarily the company as a whole. Sure, some companies are more responsive to problems once a customer reports the issue, but the ORIGINAL problem almost always comes down to the company employee, who may just be having a bad day, or who may not have been able to absorb the training they received. Anyway, I love Target as a company, and I also love Sport Clips haircuts, but I don’t have a specific stylist that I use. I just like how attuned they seem to be to their clients needs.
Actually I am a stylist at Sport Clips And i love my job which most of you cant say!!! And most importantly my customers love me, their haircurts and their experience with us. If you dont want the full deal all you have to say is no it is not required but I will guarntee you that you are missing out. You also need to be more educated about what a licensed cosmetologists and a licensed barber is!!!!
Fred: This article somehow seemed to have turned into a testimonial. It seems like there are many people that are pretty pleased with Sports Clips as a company. I’m sure it has a lot to do with the fact that you are watching sports while you are getting a haircut
kendra: Thanks for the suggestion
I’m glad that you love your job and you are right about the fact that most of us do not!
I don’t think you were scammed. The MVP is their signature service and the first time you go in there, you get it upgraded for free. They want you to try it out because it’s awesome. I get one every time.
In case you are not familiar with them, they have 3 different services. The Varsity cut is for those who do not want a shampoo; the Triple Play is the haircut with a shampoo and steamed towel; the MVP is the most expensive service ($18 – 21)and is for guys that want a haircut, shampoo, steamed towel and massage.
They are just giving you options. Honestly, it’s kind of gross if you don’t get it shampooed, but that’s just my opinion.
The biggest difference between Cosmetologists and Barbers for guys’ haircuts is that Barbers can use a straight edge blade. Cosmetologists cannot. In this day and age of Hepatitis, AIDS, and other bloodborne diseases, it can be a bit risky to do the straight blade.
The guy that owns the chain is really down-to-earth. You should look him up. I read about him in an article in a retail industry magazine. His name is Gordon Logan.
Hope this explains some of it. I’m a loyal customer.
I went to Sport Clips for the first time this past weekend. My experience was similar to yours; yet I’m still scratching my head as to what actually happened.
First off, let me say that I had a coupon/ticket for a free haircut, which I presented at the register (did not mention it before services).
Like you, when I sat down, the stylist immediately started with the upsell, “Have you heard about our MVP package?” No, I had not. So, the stylist told me about it. Price was never mentioned; nor was any first time promotion mentioned. I politely declined the MVP package; I just wanted a cut and thought the package would add add’l time (and expense!).
When I went to the register after my cut, I presented my coupon. The woman said, “No problem”, and then presented me a bill for $6 (six dollars). She didn’t explain and I didn’t ask…I figured the coupon I had must have a set value and the price at this store was higher. Whatever. So, when I get home, I looked at my receipt more closely. It said, “MVP – $23″, then a credit of $17 for my “free haircut”, leaving the balance of $6 dollars.
So, in retrospect, it looks like I got the worst of all worlds…was charged for the MVP even though it should have been a free promo, AND I didn’t even get the service!!!
Based on the poor communication, I don’t think I’ll be back…
Klaus: Hmm.. Maybe you should send this page to the customer service department of sport clips and ask them how they will give you back the $6. I think the fact that they didn’t charge you for the service should warrant you to pursue the money back. I know it’s $6, but money is money.
Like most people, I prefer to vote with my feet. Any business that doesn’t understand the criticality of the customer’s first impression doesn’t get my business. The $6 is all they will get from me (and for the record, I did tip the stylist as she was just an employee).
Klaus: I think their employees just weren’t trained enough for this. Let me know if you know of any other chains that are good since I need to cut my hair once a month.
How can this be a scam? The first time I walked in I asked, “how much for a haircut”? Answer: $16 just for a haircut, but if u are a first time customer we will give u the MVP Service for free! They explained the MVP Service, and heck I’ll try that for free! Frankly, I enjoyed watching ESPN while they cut my hair, and looking at the various sports attire decorated throughout; beats looking at the pictures of men/women hairstyles u see in the other salons! The MVP Service was great! Although it was free the first time, I would pay the extra $5 to upgrade for this service the next time I return and pay the $21. They provide (3)options as someone pointed out earlier, and you can choose what u want, plus they offer discounts on various products if u want to go home w/ any shampoo, etc. Here’s the commone sense part…if all u want is the cheapest haircut, and you don’t car about watching sports while they cut ur hair or the MVP service, then go get the $7 haircut somehere else; this place isn’t for YOU! They are targeting primarily boys/men/women that enjoy the whole sports theme, and want the ability to get more than just a haircut as an option. BTW: that’s a very big market as evidenced by the take-rate of various sports packages u can get w/ Cable or Satellite TV and why this francise is fast growing; that’s why it’s called SportsClips! If someone had a different experience, it’s not because of a compay policy to scam you, obviously, since there are others here that got the same service I did! It all comes down to the individual person; if that person is out to scam you…that will happen where ever they work! If it’s a training issue, maybe they didn’t pay attention, because there many folks that got the same service I did…which tells me they paid attention. Let’s use some common sense…this place charges more for just a haircut ($16) intentionally since they pay for ESPN, and provide a big flatcreen TV while waiting, etc. It’s not for everyone, but if u enjoy this stuff…you have the option to get a basic haircut, watch sports, and upgrade. If u want a $7 haircut, go somewhere else. In fact, if u care about a few dollars that much, just buy a Flowbee and cut ur own hair…it will likely be as good as u get at the salon!
Hi Common Sense,
So how many Sport Clip stores do you own?
I will admit that on my first trip into Great Clips – I was given the VIP treatment without asking for it – and I did pay for it…it was not a big deal for me as I had a coupon and was going to use it for the upgraded service anyway – but it did open my eyes a bit…
If in fact they are offering free upgrades for first time visitors in most stores – its a great marketing tool…I was sold on the VIP package immediately – and will continue to go back…
The real question is not how many stores Common Sense owns but whats in it for Moneyning by having this “blog.”
Jeremy: I get some revenue from this site but the thing that I get most from it is to see how far (popular) I can make this blog as I try to write about personal finance.
I’m not sure where this blog will take me but I’m having fun connecting with readers about everyday personal finance topics.
I’m glad you are part of it and let me know if you have some suggestions on how I can improve your experience here.
Sports Clips is a great place, i just began working there & as for you losing 6 bucks the receptionist probably made a mistake, all u had to say is, i had a free haircut im sure she would have double checked herself and fixed it… ALL hair salons promote products and services..like ALL businesses.. if u dont want to be bothered, then go somwhere else… 15 bucks for a hair cut is not bad… its a great place to work & extremely fun.. and noone will ever agree on wether they like it or not but still… they want to promote businesss, stylist get payed more to do that.. YOU WIN SOME YOU LOSE SOME
Ok….
So, this isn’t a scam. The stores up here in Arkansas offer a free triple play upgrade to all first-time clients. If you want the MVP instead, you pay the $2 difference. I got a coupon (actually we had 2 different ones from 2 different stores) one was a business card size with $5 off/Free upgrade/20% off product/20% off sports merch. The other one was a $5/$4/$3/$2 off your next cuts. So, if the cuts were $15 like they are here, your first cut only costs you $1, since you are getting $14 in future savings. They also give you a “loyalty card” that is gets your 6th haircut for half price.
No, it wasn’t right that you were overcharged. You should have kindly brought that to the attention of the stylist/receptionist that checked you out. Or, called the manager when you realized it. They would have helped you out. It is an honest mistake. The same that is made when the mcdonalds leaves a cheeseburger out of your order, or a restaurant charged you for a drink when you only had water.
The key to them making money is getting the guys in and out in a fast, friendly manner. They have to pay a lot for their rent and expenses for the locations that they pick, so the cut is a little more. They also pay their stylists well – as much as $2/hr better than their competiton so they can attract the best talent. I have never had a bad cut there.
Also, as for the “high and tight” guy earlier – it isn’t that simple. It takes a bit of skill to get it lined up perfectly. I had to try to find a few folks who could do it before I got one that could.
Victoria: I’m sure I would ask them to fix the price if I knew it was free! No one ever told me it was so I don’t want to say they made a mistake when I’m not sure.
$15 isn’t bad, but I just think everyone needs more training. Maybe they are trying to hire and expand too quickly
jameybaxter: I guess it must’ve been an honest mistake since I’m sure the employees don’t gain anything from overcharging me. But then again, I need to know that it is free first before I can say that they made a mistake. I was offered the MVP package and nothing about the price was mentioned at the time.
All of these conversations were very interesting! I will comment to most, generally. Some individuals want something for nothing, all people must do their job and may make mistakes. You must be quite diversified please remeber your manners and attitude effect how you as an individual could be perceived and responded to. Do what is right and treat others the way you would like to be treated. There seems to be a few people that like to blame others throughout their lives.
I like Sport Clips. It’s a little pricey, but I like the whole treatment with the hair wash and steam towel. Feels nice to be pampered a little bit.
The thing that gets me about Fantastic Sams, Great Clips, .. most of these chain places that I’ve been to is that they I end up with a less-than pleasing haircut. I would like to walk in, look at a book of men’s styles, point at a picture and say “give me a cut that looks like this”. Instead, I have to describe what I want. A picture is worth a thousand words. I’m not looking for exotic things, but I’ve done the #3 and #5 clipper cuts for 20 yrs and I want something with more style. So, I have to describe in words how long I want the top and sides, and what I want to do with it. The hairstylist cuts for a while and asks “how’s that?” – which really means “am I getting close to what you are looking for?” I end up saying, “more off here, leave this there at that length”. I end up feeling like I have to engineer this haircut and the hairstylist is really only there to drive the scissors. I go to a hairstylist because I am expecting that they know how to cut hair and how to make it come together in a good cut. As an analogy, I feel I am going into a car showroom and say “I’d like to buy a car”. I want to point at the convertible sedan and say “that’s what I want”. Instead, I have to tell them how to build the car – “yes, 4 wheels please”, “don’t forget the steering wheel”, and “hey, if you don’t include the weatherstripping around the door, it’ll let the rain in”. Am I expecting too much?
I am a stylist at sport clips and I love my job!!! I could assure you that there is NO scamming going on of any kind. I could also assure that your upgrade is FREE when your a first time client. also you most will leave with coupons for anywhere from $5 – 8 off in the future… which will again give you the M.V.P. upgrade at the basically the same price as just a haircut….
I honestly never understand WHY anyone would want to get JUST a haircut at Sport Clips…. and not get the whole M.v.p since that big part of what makes us different…(besides the t.v’s with sports on) I know for a fact I make sure any first time client in my chair KNOWS it will be a FREE UPGRADE !!
AND as far as the guy who feels like he has to explain how he wants his hair cut…. From a sylist point of view.. sorry to tell you this but you are in fact expecting too much. You can’t compare a haircut to a car. ALL cars have the same general components… and not all cuts do..just for example some have sideburns .. some don’t. some are long some are short… while there are many differnt body styles of cars .. the basic machinery is the same under the hood… and all cars have the same parts. hair is much different..some is long, short, think, thin… etc…. All heads and hairlines, cowlicks, growth patterns, natral parts.. etc… are very unique to each indivual.. no two heads are the same. Most likely clients show a picture of a haircut on a person that has thick hair when then have thin hair. or vice versa.. so the look can’t be achieved and the results will likely look different on each person. It also is possible that some clients don’t know themself what type of haircut they want… that is why they have a hard time explaining and pictures are used as a general guide… most of the time if the picture you use is not possible for your hair type and not realist, the closest you will get to looking like the picture is to staple the picture to your forhead.
I work at a sport clips, and I have to say that we do not charge you for services you never recieve. We DO want all of our clients to recieve the MVP service, because it is an awesome service that you will not recieve anywhere else. It is not a requirement, but instead a Recommendation!!! Any one who has not tried it before, give it a chance before you turn it down, you will not be disapointed!!
Again, I’m a stylist that works at a Sport Clips and I’m kind of surprised by some of the responses. First off, you get what you pay for. If you want a haircut at $6, you’re going to get a $6 haircut. If you get a bad haircut at a SC, why did you pay for the haircut? We fix that! You can tell your stylist, she or he will have someone, like a manager, fix whatever or give you a free haircut ticket for the next time. We want you guys to be happy with your haircut and return and give us positive word of mouth referrels. Second, Sport Clips requires mandatory training specifically for men’s haircuts, which is not offered in a lot of salons or barbershops. An MVP is our signature service, I don’t know why you’d go to SC just for a haircut, you could get that anywhere. We offer an experience. Lastly, I’m worth more than a $6 haircut. I think a lot of myself and so do my clients, I have yet to have one bat an eye at the cost of a great haircut. It is a material world, and image is huge in our society.
I can’t believe that this is even being discussed. Since when is it a crime for a business to ‘upsell’ a product or service? I would not consider this a ’scam’ by any means.
You are probably the same person that thinks they have a right to know a car dealers invoice on a vehicle.
I love sports clips.. It kinda sounds to me like you are just looking for a reason to hate and didn’t say anything when you were not sure what was going on.. If you have seen there advertising before you got there you had to know what they were up too…
Are you an idiot? Seriously? You get the extras, yet still only pay for standard service on your first visit. I’ve been going there for more than a year, and am completely happy with their services. This is just another case of a consumer being completely unreasonable, in fact, it’s proof to me that indeed 1/4 of the entire population of the Earth is retarded.
I used to think that sport clips was some over priced place for men to waste their money. But now that i see whats going on its not what it seems. They give new customers the MVP for the price of the haircut because they want them to get the full experience and if u want just to get a haircut then so be it. Noone will oppose. Sport Clips does make peole happy and satisfied with their haircuts letting people know that they will get the same quality service with every visit.
I am a corporate employee of SportClips. The stylists in our stores receive more ongoing training than any barber you could ever choose. They are required to do more than just cut hair everyday – they work harder with a smile on their face than any other chain and spend a great deal of time providing customer service that is superior to ANY other place a man would ever get a haircut. If you had a bad experience with your haircut, tell me when and where – we’ll make sure something is done to satisfy you now. $15- $20 is not alot for a haircut. $20-23 is not alot for the MVP service. The MVP is so amazing you’ll fall asleep getting your hair washed and your only complaint will be that the stylist woke you up because you were done. Guaranteed – no doubt about it – go in and try it. If you don’t agree – email me and I’LL give you your money back! There IS a reason we have more than 500 stores in the United States and it isn’t because you can watch ESPN while getting a haircut (thats just a perk!)
I’ve been investigating businesses to invest in, and I have been looking at a couple of franchised salons.
How many of the 500+ Sport Clips stores are profitable? I’ve talked to several of their current owners, and the only ones who seem to be at operational breakeven are in Texas.
This looks like a tight margin business, and their published buildout costs are significantly higher than their competitors.
There is a reason that Great Clips and Supercuts have thousands of stores in the US, and it seems to be because the owners have a better chance of making money. But it still looks like a crap shoot in a crappy industry.
I can’t believe that just because you didn’t realize the the first time MVP (the upgrade) was given at no additional charge to first time customers, this is still going on. Why do you think it’s called “First Time MVP”? Sometimes I go there just to get the MVP part without the hair cut. It feels good and I think it’s worth the twenty bucks. Never had a dude do it, that might make it a little wierd.
Well I was a fan but I just whent to a new one in Vegas ans man did it suck.. My first time I thought this place is awesome but then… I walk in and it was not as nice as the others then 3 really fat girls came out and took me back.. Then she was talking on her phone at first then did the worst job on my hair I mean really bad.. And during my massage she was arguing with the other girls .. So I was a fan but now I am never going back.. But it is not a scam for money but they girls in the adds are not going to be there…
I wont get my haircut at any place that *requires* me giving them my personal information. Sorry but you don’t need my phone number to cut my hair!
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