I've been going to the same hair stylist for about 3 years and love her. She recently moved to a new salon and I, along with most of her clients followed her to the new salon. We have a great relationship and talk about anything and everything, so I learned that at the old salon, she was paid hourly and had no control over her hours. At the new salon, she rents her space so she pays a flat monthly rate to the salon owner and keeps whatever she makes from her clients and sets her own hours. Appointments are still made through the salon receptionist.
My question is, do I still tip her?? My mom has been going to the same hairstylist for 10+ years and he is the owner of his salon, and she doesn't tip since he owns the salon and she said you never tip the owner. But in this situation, is my stylist technically like an owner since she sets her own rates and keeps it all- minus her rent?? I would hate to offend her but at the same time I want to do what is the norm. A cut and highlights isn't cheap so if I could be saving money, I would!
You still tip. Since the owner is taking a cut (or rent) from other stylists it's not normal to tip the owner since they have other sources of income rather than relying solely on their own clients. Although I don't think the rule is that you never tip the owner, I think it's more like "it's not expected to tip the owner". Your stylist is solely dependent on what her clients pay so tipping is normal. She still has to cover the cost of renting the chair (which isn't cheap) and buying the products and supplies that she uses. It's no different than before.
Thanks- I've been tipping her (usually 15-20%) since she moved to the new place, but a recent conversation w/ my mom made me question whether this was 'the norm'. Since I already started tipping her, I would feel weird to suddenly stop. She kept the prices the same as they were in the other salon, so it's not like I am paying any more or less than before.
Yes- I've always tipped the stylist I used to go to since she also rented her chair. However, I now go to someone that has her own shop & she doesn't let me tip her - I feel awkward about it because we have a bunch of free haircuts that I've been using for my boys (DH bartered with her). I try to give her a few dollars and she always refuses...I wish she'd just take it!
My stylist did the same thing recently. I flat out asked her about the tipping and she admitted that most people still tip, but that like always it wasn't required. I tip her the same 20%.
I always prefer to err on the side of tipping. My stylist used to be employed by an upscale salon, but when she had her daughter (2.5 years ago) she just started taking care of her clients either at her home or theirs. She charges WAY less, and I do still tip. I probably tip more than 20% now, because she is is just giving such a great deal. At my nail place, I tip 20% whether I see the owner or one of the others.
Hairstylist tipping question
Reply With Quote
