Competition Scandals Continue

I knew something was up.  The hairs on my arms have been raised for over a week now, I just couldn't put my finger on it.  Slowly, this is all starting to come out.  I previously touched on the Nailympics in Long Beach in a previous post.  Sadly, this would be the last time most would see the legendary Tom Holcomb, as he passed away on October 28.  I considered removing my past post, out of respect for Tom, but decided not to, for some reason.  I am glad I didn't, because I think it will help to document the events that happened.

This morning I saw this post by Rich Pun.

As you can see from this post, Rich alludes that something was up in Long Beach.  Dirty little secrets ALWAYS have a way of coming out.  It's just a matter of time.

Sadly, we will not have the opportunity to see Tom take the nail industry back. We will not be able to see him shut his doubters up.  We have lost a great man.

Follower Friday - Reader Submissions 8

If you are going to ask question after question, asking the next one before I've even started answering the first one, I am just going to be quiet and let you get it all out of your system.  It's obvious you aren't listening to the answers anyway.  I need to be concentrating on your service, not trying to figure out what you are asking in you ADD kind of ways.

When you are late, you make me run late for the rest of the day.  I will not punish those after you who are ON TIME, by starting them late.  Sorry, but your appointment ends when it was scheduled to end.  If I am not finished, sorry, next time be on time.

The bathroom light was off and the door was open when you went in.  Why must you always leave the light on and close the door when you leave?  Don't you realize this makes people think someone is in there???

Seriously, if you break it, fix it or at least tell someone it's broke.  Don't leave it for someone to find later.

If you don't instruct your new clients on home care, don't be pissed off when they come back a mess.

Short cuts that you take today will lead to long detours in two weeks.

To the techs that boast "My nails NEVER lift".  I would like to call you a big, fat, hairy liar.  Everyone has at least one problem client that lifts.  I officially call bullshit on you.

When someone is taking the time to mentor you, you should listen to them.  They shouldn't have to say the same things to you over and over, some of which, you should already know.

Gel polish didn't ruin your nails.  YOU ruined them when you peeled the stuff off even when it obviously didn't want to come off.

If you are a tech and you are still doing pink and whites with 1/4 inch pink and 1/2 inch white, you need to take some damn continuing education classes because that just isn't right.  Do you really think that enhances the nail??????

Why am I still trying to find something that I ordered on October 10 and have tried online help, emailed and called the company.  Last Friday I was told that it would be shipped out.  Here it is a week later and still nothing.

A manicure is a manicure, it is NOT a full set of acrylic nails.  Why would you think otherwise?

What is going on with our schools???

Reader Submission (Keep them coming!)

I just have to ask, "What the hell is going on in our schools?"  The students that they are putting out are PATHETIC.  As a salon owner, I realize that I need to train technicians that work in my salon, but OMG, these girls are pitiful even after doing 20 plus hours of one on one training with me.  They can't even polish a fingernail. Seriously.  I have proof.

Here is tech number one, who was let go after six months.  She never progressed.  These photos are from three months into her employment and after over 20 hours of training, constant communication on what she needs to do to be better and demonstrations on how to do things better.

Look at this lovely French polish.  Look at the wonderful shape of the nails.  Look at the ragged free edges and are you BLIND from the lack of cuticle care???

How would she even think that that was acceptable to let walk out the door?  So, we worked AGAIN on her French polish.  Still not better.

Finally, this photo was near the six month mark, right before she was let go.

So we take another new one on, because we all know that it's slim pickings out there.  My other two options were one girl with experience but that was 8 months pregnant and one that was 8 months pregnant with her FOURTH child.  I went with the new graduate because I needed someone now, not after maternity leave and I thought, once again, that I could mold this newbie.  Wrong.

I at least learned from past mistakes.  I was giving her 90 days.  Well 30 is all I needed.  I spent HOURS and  I mean HOURS working one on one with her.  I didn't have a day off in three weeks because my days off were spent working with this girl.  This is what I got.

No shape to the toenails, no trimming.  Polish isn't even to the cuticle.  When I showed her the pictures she said that the client wanted her nails that shape and didn't want them cut.  REALLY?  I explained to her that it is her job to advise the client that she needs her toe nails trimmed and shaped.

Now, over the past month I have preached over and over again, "If you get anything on the skin, remove it"  This is one of the last set of nails she did before she was let go.  HOLY product in the sidewalls and cuticle.  How can you even think this looks good?????

What the hell are they teaching them in school.  Obviously nothing.  This is pitiful.  These girls are LICENSED to do nails and hair too.  OMG I can't imagine what these two would do with hair!  I shudder to think.

I have taken it upon myself to contact the school and let them know how they are failing horribly in the nail department.  They just recently had a staff change and an "Old School" teacher finally retired.  I have been asked to sit on their advisory board and I have jumped at the chance.

Now I know that it's all about attitude too and that these two just weren't meant for the industry, however, they should NOT have been passed and shame on the state board for having such a lame test that these two actually hold a license!  Why should "I" have to be the one who suffers because I expect someone who graduated with a Cosmetology degree and passed our state board exam can actually polish nails.  I can't even imagine what the outcome would be when we tried enhancements.

So for now, I am going to continue to turn business away.  I am not going to subject myself to this torture again.  I will tell you one thing, the next person that applies for a job will have to go through a "try out" so to speak.  I am going to make them polish someone's nails and have them polish someone's toes and have them trim the nails.  If you can't do that, get the hell out of my salon.

--Signed - Why Can't I Clone Myself?

Things that make you go.....Hmmmmmmmmm

So, earlier this year, a link was shared on FB to a blog that promised to expose a competition conspiracy at the 2011 World Nail Championships in Germany.  Many, who follow this blog, have been waiting for the story to be told.  Some of the story has been told, but for the most part, we've just been fed snippets of info by the Author.

The Author alludes to a conspiracy by two main people.  Accused number one is an owner of a company and is accused of rigging competitions to help boost the sales of his company.  Accused number two is a former top competitor that is accused of being the "winner" or helping to provide the winners to help aid the aforementioned company, who's owner is a friend.

Forgive me if I got this all wrong, but this is what "I" perceived from reading the blog.  Fast forward to today, where I saw links to photos from the Long Beach International Beauty Show, where the Nailympics have been resurrected in the US.  I see that accused number 2 is now competing with Crystal Nail product, which is the SAME company that the blog author used to use when she was competing.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

So, since the blog in questions has been pretty dormant, even though it promised to expose the truth, I have to ask myself, was this all just a case of sour grapes?  You lost, so you were mad.  You lost your deal with Crystal Nail and now accused number two has replaced you.  I just have to say Hmmmmmmmm.

Wonder what kind of shenanigans and cheating are going on right now in Long Beach, CA.  I just have to wonder.......

--Nancy

Serious Stupidity

What the hell is going on with people now a days?  I have recently encountered a few people, who are just clueless.

Clueless number one.  A "NEW" client called and asked if we had any openings on Friday for that day.  I replied that we had a 5:00 open.  She said "Nothing earlier?"  I politely replied that when you are calling for an appointment the day of, you are pretty much at the mercy of the cancellation list.  That appointment was the earliest and actually the ONLY appointment we had available.

She then said she had another question for me.  "I don't get paid until Tuesday, can I write you a check and date it for Tuesday?"  WHAT??  I again, politely responded that we require payment at the time of service and we do take credit cards, so that is another payment option for her.

What the hell!  Seriously???  I know that WalMart brought back layaway for the holidays but there is no layaway for nails!!!  Now, had this been a regular client, who asked this, we most likely would have said no problem.  This is a brand, spanking, new client, here people.  Um, no.  Listen if you can't afford a $25 check to get your nails done, then maybe you shouldn't be getting your nails done.  Make sense??

Clueless number two.  A week ago, I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone with a new client, who asked for a MANICURE.  I asked her if she wanted a regular manicure of one of our No Chip Manicures like Shellac.  After explaining over and over and over and over, she opted for the Shellac manicure.

She arrives for her appointment and gets all indignant because she says she wants tips.  I explained again the differences between Manicures, Shellac, Acrylic Nails and Temporary Nails.  She then thinks she wants a full set of acrylics.  Well there isn't enough time to do them so she had me schedule it for next week.  She then decides that maybe the temporary nails are the way to go.  She then says, "But I don't want FAKE nails, I want acrylic nails".  REALLY?????

I politely explain to her that in essence, acrylic nails ARE fake nails.  The difference between temporary nails and acrylic nails are that temporary nails are TEMPORARY, you don't fill or maintain them.  Acrylics need to be maintained.  Round and round and round we go.  Twenty minutes later, I had 10 minutes to do Shellac on her, which is what she ultimately decided to go with.

I hope this was just a fluke last week.  I really don't have any room in MY schedule for new people.  When I do, I sure as heck don't want these stupid ass people in my book.  I want a client who is going to LISTEN to what we say and what we suggest.  Oh, and I want payment at the time of service!

--Nancy

Follower Friday – Reader Submissions 7

You are a grown woman, who works in a professional position, with a lot of responsibility.  Why, oh why, must I call and remind you of each and every appointment you have.  Do all of your business partners have to do that too?  I even give you a little card each time with the day, date and time on it.  Put that in your schedule on your tablet and set an alarm for cripes sakes.

No, it is not okay if you are going to be 15 minutes late, so when you come in only 5 minutes late, please know what the hell you want on your nails because I don't have time to sit and let you wast 10 more minutes picking out what you want.  COME EARLY TO CHOOSE.

Dear New Girl at the salon:  You are never going to get better unless you practice.  Skills don't just magically appear, you need to hone them.

Why to people think we want to sell their crap in our salons.  I can understand if you are a client and have something wonderful that you make, but random men coming in with stuff is just not going to happen.

Oh here, let me squirt some hand sanitizer on your wrist, where you just wiped your runny nose for the 10th time.  Gross.

You have a coupon for a free service that we donated for a charity event.  It's FREE, why the hell are you wanting more and more and more from us?  GO AWAY.

If you have to reschedule an appointment more than three times, maybe you need to consider going to a walk-in only type of salon.

We are not open on Mondays.  We are not open on Mondays.  We are not open on Mondays, will you please quit asking for an appointment on Mondays.

I just love when people ruin something and just leave it without trying to fix it or at least letting me know what happened so that "I" can fix it.  You need to have respect for your workplace.

Dear Trainee:  Please listen.  I have literally been telling you the same things over and over and over for months.  If you don't start listening, I am sorry to say, you are going to be gone, really soon.

We have over 200 colors to choose from and you can't find the one you want?

WIPE YOUR FEET!  I am sick to death of muddy footprints on the carpet.  What the hell does your house look like?

What part of I am busy with a client do you not seem to grasp?  I can't just stop doing her service to listen to your sales pitch.

I'm sorry, what part of Nail Salon makes you think I can trim your beard?

Sorry, we don't use credo blades, they are illegal.  I am sorry that your last tech used one on you and you liked it, go back to her so when you loose your foot some day, you can sue her.

Sharing

Well it's been about a week since I've posted.  No, I haven't run out of material and NO, people haven't stopped sending me things to post for them.  I have been near death with the sickness that has been going around here.  So, this topic is sharing.  It's great to share, we are taught to do it at a very young age.  But there are some things that you shouldn't share.  Your sickness is one of them.

If you are too sick to go to work, reschedule your appointment.  If you are too sick to go to school, reschedule your appointment.  Seriously, if you have to stop me three times, while I am doing your nails to go throw up, LEAVE and reschedule your appointment.  Really, we won't be upset.  We are totally repulsed that you are puking your guts 10 feet away from us and we can hear it.  We now have to go in and disinfect the bathroom so that your sick germs are not exposed to everyone.

Listen, we don't have sick days.  We don't get sick pay.  If we can't come to work, we don't get paid.  If we can't come to work, we have to work on our days off to make up what we missed and to fit everyone in again.  This results in no days off, which results in a cranky nail tech.

So, you can share your Starbuck's run with me, share your muffin with me, share your casino winnings with me, but for the love of everything great, keep your mother trucking flu, cold and sickness to yourself.  Really, I don't mind!

--Nancy

So, the rules don’t apply to you, huh?

So may salons think that rules don’t apply to them.  I just love that way of thinking.  They want to bitch and moan about the Non Standard Salons not following the rules, but then it is okay for them.

Case in point.  Feather Extensions.  This is a hair service, plain and simple.  In our state, it can only be done in a Cosmetology Salon.  A Nail Salon is for the beautification of the nails of the hands and feet.

Problem is, there are so many stupid salon owners out there that think that just because you are taking a feather, threading it through a crimping bead, threading hair through it and crimping the bead closed, that this is not a hair service. Um, think again.

Sorry, but your state board disagrees.  Consider yourself reported.  Expect to see an inspector at your door soon.  Better get that pedicure log up to date as well. 

Reader Submissions 6

I think my co-worker needs to remind her children that Mommy is working and that they don’t need to call her every five minutes asking how to make macaroni and cheese.  15 phone calls in a three hour period is too much.  How does she keep her clients?

I tried to offer to write your appointment down on a card for you, you insisted on writing it down yourself, it’s not my fault you wrote down the wrong day.

Dear Client:  I love you, but seriously, you’ve been having distress over the same things for seven years.  It’s time to either suck it up or move on.  Grow a backbone, I am tired of hearing it!

Thank you smokers for littering my parking lot with your cigarette butts.  You lazy asses are too lazy to use the receptacle provided.

If you are so sick, that you need to stop your appointment to go throw up, you probably should have rescheduled your appointment.  You do realize that if “I” get sick, I don’t have sick days or pay…..

What part of wash your hands before we begin do you not understand?  You’ve been a client here for years.

Why do people think it’s okay to put full coffee cups into the trash?  Do you do that at home?  I would bet that your husband or father takes out the trash and is pissed off at you like I am because there is a sloppy wet coffee trail all over the floor.  Jerk.

Why do boyfriends come to nail appointments?  It’s obvious they don’t want to be there.  Grow a pair and insist that your girl go to her appointment alone like a big girl.

Screaming and yelling and throwing a hissy fit will no make an appointment time on the date and time you want just appear.  Actually, it will most likely make “future appointments” disappear.

Dear Client:  You’re fired.

You want appointments, you don’t, you whine that you aren’t busy enough then bitch because someone scheduled you an appointment.  Make up your freaking mind.

If you think this is so easy, go ahead, go out on your own and do your own thing.  I did.  No it’s not easy, but I won’t take your bullshit.  This is MY house!

Parents really need to reel these young girls in.  It is not necessary for your first grader to have a full set of acrylics.  At that rate, you will be getting them breast implants in fifth grade.  Grow a backbone and be a parent.  YOU are supposed to be in charge!

YOU insisted that I add more of the first color, now you don’t like it because there isn’t enough of the second color.  I do this all day long, when will you realize, I know what I am doing!!!

I really wish we had those alcohol dispensers like they have in motel rooms in Mexico, where the bottles hang upside down and you press your glass to a lever and it dispenses.  I think we need that in the break room, so we can just walk up, stick our mouths under, press the lever and get instant Asshole Relief!

Where Has Customer Service Gone?

I really, seriously would like to know where has customer service gone?  Right now, I am receiving some HORRIBLE customer service from about three different manufacturers in our industry.

Why list an email address in your Contact Us section of your website if you never check your email?  When people live on different coasts, it is sometimes difficult to call because of the time difference.  Email works best, however, NOT if you don’t read your emails.  I have sent one particular company three emails over the course of a week.  NO ANSWER.  I guess I will have to schedule some time today to CALL THEM.   FAIL.

Company number two had three items on backorder when they shipped my package over a month ago.  No communication.  I had to actually contact them to find out when the backordered items were coming.  I was informed that two of the items were no longer available and that I could pick something else.  UHHHHHH, what?  So how long have you known this?  No offer of a refund, I need to pick something else. 

Listen, I am BUSY.  I don’t have time to babysit your inventory.  If you go to their website today, you will still be able to order the two items that are NO LONGER AVAILABLE!  They will take your money, then hope that you never inquire about the back order.  DOUBLE FAIL!

The third company is one that is servicing a piece of salon equipment.  I had the piece serviced, which amounts to cleaning and lubricating two months ago.  Well, they jacked something up in it.  I overnighted it and they have had it in their possession for three weeks now.  THREE WEEKS.  No call from them.  I emailed to check on when the piece will be returned.  No answer.  I called and left THREE MESSAGES.  No answer.  Does anyone even work there anymore????  TRIPLE FAIL.

Right now, I am so fed up.  I am so sick and tired of babysitting not only my staff, but the people who manufacturer products that I need.  When I was young and babysat, I not only got paid for it, I was also provided pizza and Mountain Dew.  Ummmmmm all I am getting now is an ulcer.

--Nancy

I’m Not Blondie……..

My name is not Blondie and you may NOT call me anytime.  You may call me during normal business hours.  I am still a little cranky, due to lack of sleep, due to an inconsiderate client calling my cell phone at 4:30 am on SUNDAY morning!

Imagine being awakened by a ringing cell phone at that hour on a Sunday morning, your first thought is “Who died?”  I run to my cell phone in the kitchen and see it is Patty PainInTheAss, a newer client.  SERIOUSLY??!??

Okay, Patty is one of “those” clients, a new one who is someone else’s Pain In The Ass aka PITA, who is now MY PITA.  I acquired her in July.  Sometime between now and then, I must have called her from my cell phone and she must have saved it.

We are closed Sunday and Monday.  What would make you think that it is appropriate to call someone on their personal cell phone on their day off?  What would make you think it’s appropriate to call at 4:30 in the morning on a Sunday?  Really?

Well, when Patty got my voicemail, I am sure she got the message loud and clear because it clearly states that you should only leave personal messages, if you leave salon messages, they WILL NOT be returned until they are left on the salon phone line.  Period.  I haven’t checked the salon messages yet, because IT’S STILL MY DAY OFF!

Now, Patty may have butt dialed me, I don’t know, but knowing Patty and the PITA that she is, she probably WAS calling.  See, Patty is a true PITA.  She breaks nails constantly.  She comes in with half of her cuticle area missing most of the time.  Patty tries to go 3-4 weeks between fills because she is cheap.  She doesn’t realize that she ends up paying more by going that long, because she ends up paying for multiple repairs.

Saturday, I was booked from 9 until 7, yes I am a glutton for punishment.  I had no breathing room in my schedule, as usual.  Patty came bounding in the door at noon and expected me to fix four nails that are approximately five days old.  Now these aren’t just a pink nail with polish, these nails have colored acrylic, glitter and extensive designs on them.  I explained to her that I don’t have time to do them that day and that the earliest I could do them is next Friday and since it is FOUR nails, it will be a fill, not a repair appointment.  She exclaimed “But this one is about to fall off!”  After repeating myself again and her repeating herself again I finally exclaimed “Well, then either rip it off or put a band-aid on it, because Friday is the best I can do unless I get a cancellation.”

Why do clients think they can come into the salon and demand to be repaired right this very second?  My schedule does not allow for repairs and for the most part, I don’t need to schedule repairs.  My clients usually don’t need them.  Yes a few break the occasional nail, but Patty, is a whole other ball game.  She is a train wreck, plain and simple.  Sorry, Patty, I will NOT extend my already long day to accommodate you, just because you don’t know how to take care of your nails.

So, either Patty butt dialed me on Sunday morning, or she called that early just so that she could leave me a message to cancel on Friday because she is going to become someone else’s PITA and didn’t want to tell me directly.  Personally, I hope it is the second option, since I would do the “Happy Dance of Joy” if she became someone else’s problem.  I am sick and tired of creating beautiful nails, with original artwork on them and having her trash them in sometimes four or less days, then expecting me to drop everything and repair them.

One thing’s for certain, if she calls my cell phone at that time again, on my day off, she is getting fired.  You don’t own me.  I am not your “Staff”.  I can and will refuse service to anyone at anytime.  I will put someone in my chair, in her spot, who respects my work and takes care of it.  See, my name is NANCY, not BLONDIE and NO, you CAN’T call me anytime, call me during normal business hours!

--Nancy