I think this can be said of nearly every profession, but I find it to be particularly noticeable when it comes to barbershops. When you first start with a new barber, they really put in the effort. They are meticulous about catching any stray hairs and give you a nice fade. Then, the second time, you might find a little hair behind the ear, which is no big deal just shave or trim it off. The next time, there could be a bigger patch left on the lower part of your neck. And it seems to keep progressing, with each visit resulting in less attention to detail.
This last time, the barber left some very long hairs on the back of my head. Extremely noticeable long hairs. I am not sure how they missed this. All I had to do was spend a couple of seconds in front of the mirror to see them. That might not sound like a huge deal, but when you get a skin fade like I do, it really matters. How do you not notice long hairs on what is supposed to be a skin fade?
I have been to many barbers over the years, worked with traveling barbers, celebrity barbers, and spots off the beaten path. It is always the same: they do a great job the first time, maybe the second, and then the quality starts to slip. I do not care what you do for celebrities or who you work with. I care about what you do for me and my haircut. What good is your title if you do not give me the same level of service?
Here is what I do: once I notice a decline, I mention it politely and see if they adjust. If they do not, I move on to another barber at the same shop or go elsewhere. If you are a barber, treat your client as if it is the first time every single visit. That is how you keep loyal customers who are even willing to travel for you.
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