My advice to anyone going here: ask for the exact total price and every individual charge BEFORE…read moreyour appointment/service, including payment-method fees. My recent experience with Lupita.
The first time I went to Lupita, I contacted her beforehand to ask how much she charges for a haircut. She told me her prices start at $45. When I went in, she washed my hair, did my haircut, & blow-dried it. I remember paying around $75-$80 for the services & tipping her, with my total coming to $90. I thought the hair wash was included in the price because she asked me to come to the hair washing station without mentioning that it's not included but it WAS NOT. But, I really liked the haircut, which is why I went back and also recommended her to two other people.
This time, I didn't ask about the price beforehand because I assumed the haircut would still be somewhere around $45-$55. I also specifically washed my hair before going because I did not want to pay extra for a hair wash.
This time, she told me the price would be $65 + $5 Zelle fee. I was shocked because I had never heard of her charging a Zelle fee before. She also told me that she was giving me a discount, so this was the price. I paid the $65 + $5 Zelle fee and gave her a $10 tip, making my total $80.
After my appointment, I spoke with the two people I had recommended to her(it's not that I was getting commission out of it). They had also paid by Zelle/card, and neither of them had been charged a Zelle fee.
Another thing that surprised me was that when I was paying, she asked me for cash. If cash was required or preferred, I believe that should have been communicated beforehand rather than at the time of payment.
She also kept explaining that electricity & other expenses are expensive and that this is why she has to charge more. I remember hearing the same explanation during my previous visit as well. I completely understand that business expenses increase and that prices can change, but customers should be clearly informed of the current prices before the service is provided.
Another thing that I found frustrating was that she repeatedly compared her prices to other salons and said that other salons charge much more while she is still charging less. But if I wanted to pay the prices that other salons charge, why would I have chosen to come to her in the first place? The main reason I initially chose her was because her haircut prices started at $45, which was a reasonable and affordable price for me, and I was happy with her haircut as well.
After I came home, I messaged her to ask for clarification about the pricing & the Zelle fee. She said if I didn't want to pay the Zelle fee, then a different price would apply.
My issue is not that a business is allowed to increase its prices. My issue is that the customer should know the exact price BEFORE the service is done. If the price has increased from $45 to $65 or there are additional charges, simply tell the customer upfront so they can decide whether they want to proceed or go somewhere else.
I also found it strange that she emphasized that the $65 included a blow-dry. After a haircut, drying the hair is generally part of finishing the haircut; this was not a separate hairstyling service. It was simply drying my hair after the haircut where she blow dries with the round brush, not a proper styling(see my image)
The inconsistent pricing, unexpected Zelle fee, different explanations, and lack of clear pricing beforehand have completely changed my experience.
No doubt I liked my haircut but I believe she keeps on changing the price depending on the customers.
This is the price she sent me at the end after asking many questions:
Also, the Saloon is very dirty and messy. The towels, floor with hair etc.
"Honey this this my prices :
Hair cut 55 short .
65.00 long
Blow drying style 65.00 only with hair cut 45.00
High lights 280.00 and up
Balayage 350.00 and up
Colors 95.00 and up "
