So I need a haircut. And in a Costco in southeast Phoenix, where I live, I see this gentleman about my age (senior) sporting a really good do. I ask him who does his hair, and he gives me the same of Sandy Clark at Salon Boulevard. I call Sandy and make an appointment for 3:15 on Wednesday June 4.
Today (Wednesday June 4) I roll out, leaving plenty of time for the 20-mile-odd trip, but Sandy's directions are so bad that I spend almost 20 extra minutes trying to find the Salon.
At 3:15, the moment I realize I'm going to be late, I call the number Sandy gave me; the same one I used for the appointment. It's her cell phone, and it goes to voicemail. I leave a message explaining I will be a few minutes late.
At 3:30 I call again. I get voicemail again. I leave a second message explaining that I am cruising the parking lot unsuccessfully, but nonetheless on my way, when I spot the Salon. It's minuscule, and tucked away in a dark corner with tiny signs to identify it. At 3:35 I am inside.
Sandy, however, has left. Deciding within 10 minutes that I would be a no show, and not bothering to check her phone, she trotted off to do something far more important than attend to a paying customer with a reservation: you know, someone who might easily have become a repeat customer who brings his own friends in.
Instead, she gets this sucky review on Yelp!, plus warnings to all my personal friends, colleagues and business associates to stay away from her and from Salon Boulevard. Oh, and on Facebook too. What her hairdressing skills are like I can not personally vouch for ... but if she loses focus this easily, I guess I'm glad I never had the opportunity to find out.
The lady behind the counter tried to offer me another appointment with Sandy Clark on some future day, but given the above -- plus I don't see the point in another 40-plus-mile, possibly pointless round trip -- I won't be showing up there again. Ever.
And in my opinion, neither should you.
(Tabitha, where are you? Salon Boulevard needs you!)