Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Finally, a Well-Deserved Discount

The geezer has maintained for some time that the pricing structure for men's haircuts is all wrong.

Kids get a big discount. Have you seen one of the little rascals screaming, kicking, crying and otherwise obstructing the best efforts of a barber?  Based on problems created, those tykes should be charged double.

Other discounts are based solely on age on the other end of the spectrum. "Seniors" get deals just because they are. The guy with an "extended forehead" who needs only one or two zips with a clipper
This luxurious head of hair finally earned a permanent discount
gets no better deal than the man with long wavy gray hair that requires all sorts of snipping, trimming, and styling. 

It makes better sense to base discounts on hair volume and the complexity of the job.

For several years, I've pleaded my case just before climbing into the chair. "Considering what's up there, I ought to get a special rate," my statement goes. Most barbers smile and charge me the regular rate. The others just charge me the regular rate.

Recently, I tried a new shop because the owner advertised a one-day special on haircuts at a ridiculously low price. I saw no reason to suggest anything more.

About half-way through the 10-minute clipper job it takes to do my sparse "do," the barber asked if I'd visited the shop before. I said I had not.

"We hope you'll come back," she said. "We have a senior discount every Wednesday. In your case, we'll give you the discount any day."

Hallelujah! A sensibly based discount finally happened, and I didn't even ask.  If nature continues to take its course, I'll hit them up for ever bigger price reductions in the years ahead. Wonder if the price eventually will get down close to "no charge"?