Shocked by the poor service

Long post sorry I do not recommend FRANCO INTERNATIONAL SANDTON this is my unfortunate experience and personal conclusion if you wanna inbox me and change my mind please do so…….

The Sadness and anxiety I feel today for choosing them is overwhelming!!! . Worse hair salon experience of my life…. they didn’t touch my hair really, Here’s my little tale of woe…

This is me keeping it short (sorry) I have an upcoming operation (as JadeD does) close to my birthday so wanted to get these ends & greys sorted for my OP and BD. I did what any girl does book a hair appointment. Not with my regular (sorry W) I went to #FRANCOINTERNATIONALSANDTON, mainly because well they seemed a professional establishment from the interweb, I had stuff in Sandton to do on Friday night after, and because I trust #SCHWARZKOPF my normal hair product of choice ….plus I saw the promo “one step colour promotion “ Made an appointment the day before called to check that was okay the day of and also called at 4 pm to say I was gonna be few mins late for my hair meet cute parking in Sandton robots out. Got there at 4:15….

Walked in was introduced to the stylist who immediately started off by saying the salon is closing at 7 pm, and calling me Jessica she said I can’t do what you want (I didnt know what I even wanted had not even told her, just booked colour cut and dry) any highlights not even 4/5 in that time we’re out…..okay Jade nods got it! It has to be a flat colour she advised. Okay I say…. I’m not a complainer….I guess I will be happy if you cover the greys “do your thing” and trim up my ends, I then explained I have hair lose and regrowth due to illness, medication and chemical therapies. Basic info for a hair colouring stylist, Before that she was touching my hair assessing the length said would you like to see a quote? I said yes thanks.

I settled in they, took my coat my bags and I waited, no quote or colour chart came, she went off for a while came back and said she spoke to another stylist she said they would indeed be able to put couple highlights in here and there on the flat colouring ….. I said great you do you! My exact words.

A few mins later she returned and asked me to go have my hair washed. That’s new I thought ….when you having colour done but okay I’ll go with it maybe she a hygiene conscious professional, Just go with it Jade.

Moved to the sink hair washing now fully underway. The “Stylist” returns while water is gusting around my ears. I’m very sorry I spoke to another stylist and she says we can not do anything for you at all no colour. My response but now my hair is wet being washed, now what? What are you saying ? ……no worries she said I’ll blow dry your hair……..alright I think …this is frustrating and awkward but hey I can’t force people to serve me, I get out the sink seat , head in towel now completely confused and close to annoyed frustration but still quietly contemplating the situation. At this point I’m now sure this Salon does….. not want to help me for some unknown reason.

Go back to the chair, wait with wet hair in towel for this blow dry ….but the stylist is busy with another customer. So I must sit with the wet hair and wait…self preservation kicks in , Okay then I say it’s fine you don’t have to blow dry my hair just give me my bag, the bill and my clip I’ll pay for the wash and leave. “Okay you gonna leave with wet hair” she asks while attending to her other customer ….”Yes I’m going to leave”, Can I please I get the bill for the wash?…… I say…oh didn’t worry about paying for the wash she says , it’s okay you can just leave theres no charge. Wow lucky me !!!

I was my normal super polite and well mannered self ….thought-out all of this back and forth.

I left Franco international feeling sad, hurt and then angry as walked through the mall hair dripping on my face and mixing with tears …….most of all I felt an overwhelming feeling of prejudice and ************** against something about me, I wasn’t sure what…..

Later after tears and fears, and Paul Mitchell staff hugs …my only possible conclusion for her making me feel that way and refusing to touch me any further was is due to my disclosure of illness with out specifically saying what was wrong, it hit me hard she didn’t want to touch me and I felt the stigma steady, and forming a heavy lump in my throat and then more tears. It’s still here that still there 2 days.

While I was getting my wet hair fixed got a call from the #FRANCOINTERNATIONAL manager owner saying they were sorry and it as a “misunderstanding”. But there’s no Misunderstanding, I know how it made me feel, still feeling it now.

The motivation of this post is to tell you to be very careful when you choose a new or any service provider that is listed under your self care routine, they can help make you or help break you. Today I feel broken …….24 hours has passed and still utterly shattered the world can be so unkind, for me no other-logical explanation for the events of Friday evening and my treatment in this Salon, other than my mention of illness. Unless this is the way they treat customers normally….either way #shocked End

Post script on my rant above Jaded advise on dealing with sick people Just be kind - Don’t be mean - we #s****ies are usually already great at avoiding people, relationships and social engagements mainly to not have the judgement and oral negativeness. This self preservation thing can get super isolating and is to avoid being stigmatised like this. If we have to pay someone it’s cause we need it metaphysically! Help us don’t hinder.

Kindness and helpfulness will help cure any ******** misconception about sickness and contagion. Ethical due care when dealing with customers will distinguish your practice.

Post COVID-19, the #sick #s****ies understand that many businesses have become more open to avoiding people they are sick even turning their money away, we get it but let’s be upfront , truthful and nice about it. Sick people need you more than you know!! Do your bit to help fellow #s****ies to manage the situation in the way to help avoid them feeling ************** against them.

Be careful of the language you use, Stay informed, Respect people’s privacy when they share it with you and their dignity don’t make them feel worse than their bodies and minds have them feeling already. Focus on the positives, be willing to help, listen and Support someone who made the choice to choose your business. Speak out against stigmatizing behaviours. Raise awareness about **************. Correct any misconceptions with out blaming the customer first. #s****ies Remember that you did not do anything wrong some people will just people!