Ask Amy: Customer trips over stylist tips
Dear Amy: I wear my hair short and have had the same stylist cut it regularly for the past 10 to 12 years.
The stylist was always an employee at a pretty upscale salon, and as their prices continued to rise two to three times a year, I continued to go because I had built a rapport with the stylist.
Knowing the salon owner took at least half of what I was paying her (because the stylist made no secret of saying so), I always tipped my stylist 20 percent to 25 percent.
Now the stylist has left the expensive salon and gone out on her own in a small rented suite.
I was taken aback when she kept the same high price for a haircut as the salon was charging.
Am I still required to tip this person who is the business owner and has set the prices herself?
I feel that leaving the price as high as it was at the salon would be enough to cover their costs and make a profit without me adding a tip.
I feel awkward not tipping the same person because they don't have a boss, but on the other hand I feel taken advantage of if I'm expected to add 20 percent to the already high price.
What is the correct way to handle this?
– Trimmed
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