Barber shop talk

MPB

Necessity from a cut point of view is to have attention to detail at 100%. So bloody hard to find a barbers that dont treat a customer as if they are on a factory line. Tend to find most barbers want you in and out as quickly as possible and some scalp a client in the process while others dont take enough off to even call its a trim. Personally I dont mind how long a cut takes as long as its done to perfection. KNow what the client wants and if your unsure ask. I know what Ive asked for a few times and what I got were miles different. Second last time he ahd finished the cut and takes asks "hows that? What you think?". My reply was simply "I think theres F*** all left and thats not what I asked for". Needless to say I aint been back and wont be.
From an entertainment point of view I aint too puched about a tv cause no matter how many you have in the waiting room the channel its on wont suit all and might even be very few it would suit which can create impatient clients and bad atmosphere. Image a few young lads who are gamers and wanting to watch something gamer related while a few ould boys would be rather be anywhere else than having to watch that. It really depends on the client base. Few decnt mags is a must and yeah not oldies as it gives the impression a bin has been robbed to have them there in the first place. I'm sure a lot of lads would be more than happy with porno mags but avoid as that can cause you other grief (visualise a kid going in and going home and saying somthing to his ma. Doubt his da would have an issue but you wouldnt wanna be dealing with his ma after that scenario) Keep the mags across the range of interests. Some hate car mags others love them. Some like gamer mags and vice versa. You dont need a library but try to cater for all the age ranges so that if there are a few sitting around while your working with a client they are entertained. I know I said I wouldnt be gone on the tv idea and given reasons why but radio is a viable alternative. Just be clever about the tunes/stations you tune into to.
To guarantee customer return deliver the quality service and have a bit of criac with the lads. You'll judge characters quick enough the talkers versus the mute clients. No ahrm in voicing your opinion on a cut that would suit someone either. No harm in a change. Mines changed a few times over the years. Just dont be pushy with suggestions and be able to explain and relate what your suggesting.
Anyway thats my 10 cents. Seems like a book I know but thats what I look for

geeko

Thanks everyone for there inputs everything is important. But I think as a barber there is to many badly run places. I would use a cutthroat on every cut and disinfect then replace with a new blade everytime with no exceptions!

7ofBrian

I love a place that does a neck and shoulder massage when getting a hot towel shave

visual

geeko wrote: »

Thanks everyone for there inputs everything is important. But I think as a barber there is to many badly run places. I would use a cutthroat on every cut and disinfect then replace with a new blade everytime with no exceptions!

Don't get caught up in all the magazines tv and booming radio. The only reason people are in a barbers is for the hair cut. The reason they will come back is for a good hair cut not the latest magazines or widescreen tv

Best of luck with your new venture

SHOVELLER

OP get a haircut in Dillons on Wellington Quay to see how a good barbers should be.

The barbers are eastern European women who do a great job which does include the razor on the neck.

No tv's, no stupid magazines, no wifi, no coffee, no fancy gels, no ****e talk etc. In other words no gimmicks just a very decent cut.

And all for a fiver.

geeko

SHOVELLER wrote: »

OP get a haircut in Dillons on Wellington Quay to see how a good barbers should be.

The barbers are eastern European women who do a great job which does include the razor on the neck.

No tv's, no stupid magazines, no wifi, no coffee, no fancy gels, no ****e talk etc. In other words no gimmicks just a very decent cut.

And all for a fiver.

Thanks for your input man,
But with all due respect €5 cuts do not come from a well run shop or qualified barbers.

Sulla Felix

Sofiztikated wrote: »

While your first point is correct, it is also worth pointing out that some people ask for haircuts that will just not suit them/are not possible.

True, but in that case it should be discussed with the client, not just go ahead and do something else that the barber thing would be better.

Sofiztikated

Sulla Felix wrote: »

True, but in that case it should be discussed with the client, not just go ahead and do something else that the barber thing would be better.

Absolutely.

jarvis_c82

I would recommend the Butcher Barber between Grafton St and Powerscourt Shopping Centre to have a look at what they offer to their clients.

The guys in there really know what they are doing. Only bookings are taken by text message and no messing about. You get a perfect haircut everytime as they take their time with every client.

It's pricey but if you really want a decent haircut, it would be the place I would highly recommend.

elfy4eva

I've always been curious about "Hot towel shaves" a lot of barbers offer them but what exactly do they involve. Is it like face pampering for a man or what!

Boom_Bap

What I like about mine:

- Quality barbers, never walk out with a bad haircut no matter who cuts your hair.

- Nice range of branded products, and suggestions of which product would suit the cut I'm getting done

- A diverse range of mags/papers to read

- A TV with something going, Sky Sports News or live music DVD's

- Clean

What I would improve is the Q'ing system, when the call for 'who's next' rings out, 3 or 4 people would stand up, have a mini debate and 3 would sit down deflated.
Try something unique like a ticketing system like you get at the motor tax office.

Dont go for bland furnishings either, be creative with the space.

Boom_Bap

elfy4eva wrote: »

I've always been curious about "Hot towel shaves" a lot of barbers offer them but what exactly do they involve. Is it like face pampering for a man or what!

Pretty much pampering, hot towels to open the face pours, close shave with a cutthroat razor.

thebullkf

geeko wrote: »

Thanks for your input man,
But with all due respect €5 cuts do not come from a well run shop or qualified barbers.

don't understand this mentality - you are implying a 30e haircut comes from a better run shop and a "more qualified" barber than a 20e haircut. It reads very snobbish tbh.

Premium pricing doesn't guarantee quality.

Grayditch

thebullkf wrote: »

don't understand this mentality - you are implying a 30e haircut comes from a better run shop and a "more qualified" barber than a 20e haircut. It reads very snobbish tbh.

Premium pricing doesn't guarantee quality.

Well, I for one am going to stick with that philosophy, because in practice, it's almost always a good indication of quality.

The difference between people willing to pay 30 and the ones willing to pay 5-10, is the difference between people who get the standard "tidy up" haircut, and those who go for a certain style which takes more time and effort.

If you can find a barber who gives various styles and great cuts for a fiver, he's most definitely... cutting himself short. :cool:

Boom_Bap

I'd agree with Grayditch, the better barbers (unless self employed) will be working in the better shops. So the qaulity of thier work from being a better barber will reflect in thier work.
Also, unlike the '5 euro' places, you wouldnt generally find them using the best products for washing your hair or for styling afterwards.

Jimmy Iovine

Boom_Bap wrote: »

What I would improve is the Q'ing system, when the call for 'who's next' rings out, 3 or 4 people would stand up, have a mini debate and 3 would sit down deflated.
Try something unique like a ticketing system like you get at the motor tax office.

A genius idea.

Do this OP.

I haven't had a cut in a barbers in a long time but the queuing was always a nightmare when I did go. I started going at odd times to avoid queues.

When I was younger we'd frequently run into queues in the barbers and forget who was going next.

Get that ticket system rolling and you're onto a winner. Keep it simple though.

Pj!

I'd imagine that if he's setting up on his own he's not going to have a huge customer base from the get go. I'd guess he won't be hiring a lot of cutters immediately either.

I'd guess he'll do fine without the ticketing system just yet.

Dublinmackem

[What I would improve is the Q'ing system, when the call for 'who's next' rings out, 3 or 4 people would stand up, have a mini debate and 3 would sit down deflated]


Classic stuff, seeing and doing this my whole life, the oul partial squat up "is it meself or yourself?" looking up and down the line of heads like you're waiting to cross a road, thinking to yourself "your mans hair is quite short, I'd say he's just waiting on his mate, I hope anyway" ah the oul physcology of the barbers waiting area, could do a book on it

Boom_Bap

Dublinmackem wrote: »

[What I would improve is the Q'ing system, when the call for 'who's next' rings out, 3 or 4 people would stand up, have a mini debate and 3 would sit down deflated]


Classic stuff, seeing and doing this my whole life, the oul partial squat up "is it meself or yourself?" looking up and down the line of heads like you're waiting to cross a road, thinking to yourself "your mans hair is quite short, I'd say he's just waiting on his mate, I hope anyway" ah the oul physcology of the barbers waiting area, could do a book on it

The place I go to, I would be on quite good terms with most of the barbers, so when I come in to a packed waiting area and start shooting the breeze with the guys who are working, the q gets quite tense because they reckon I might be given priority boarding so to speak.
But part of getting the 'fro cut is all about the wait.

Galwayguy35

visual wrote: »

Employ men to cut hair.

All the local baber shops have women employed and they just miss the little things like shaving the back of your neck or locks.

Have to disagree there, the barbers I go to employ mostly women and they are very thorough.

Jimmy Iovine

I was at the barbers yesterday. She used the blade on my neck. I've no idea if she cleaned it though. I'm going to say no. Definitely make it visible that you're cleaning it.

There were some National Geographic magazines on the table and I was delighted. I read one and a half of them. The other two people waiting with me spent the time on their phones. Wait and see what your clientèle are interested in before subscribing to Time and National Geogrpahic, as brilliant as they are.

Sofiztikated

As people seem to be worried about cleanliness of blades, my barber used one that a normal DE blade slots into. He opens a fresh on in front of you, and bins it straight after.

Feathers

Just back from the barbers there — cut-throat for the back of the neck (& like that fresh blade opened in front of you & then binned), good job on the rest, made sure it's all even & could see he was taking his time without taking ages at the same time (was well overdue a haircut so probably in there longer than average )

Proper old school place, think they're Turkish — do a hot towel shave if you want one; chats away to everyone, but can sense if you're not in the mood & leave you be. £14 for a regular dry cut, which is decent price for London.

Plus open on evenings & weekends!

All you want really.

Sofiztikated

Another thing is to look at your opening hours.

Is there really much point in being open during the day, if you don't get any trade? Why not start later, and stay open later? The after work/school crowd would appreciate that. My barber is closed Sunday and Monday (as is traditional) and open til 9 Thursday and Friday.

Choose your products carefully. Don't stock Dax. Why would I buy Dax from you, when I can get in Tesco for a price that you will not be able to match.

But again, people say "Do this, do that, that'll definitely make you money" What will make you money will be determined by the clientelle available. There's no point in having a upmarket gentlemans emporium, if your in Studentville.

baby and crumble

Sofiztikated wrote: »

Choose your products carefully. Don't stock Dax. Why would I buy Dax from you, when I can get in Tesco for a price that you will not be able to match.

That's actually great points. I collect pomade, particularly wax and petro based. If there was a place in Ireland that consistently had cool, little (ish) known brands like High Life, The Iron Society, Sweet Georgia Brown, etc., you'd at the very least get business from me coming in buying new products!!!!

SHOVELLER

geeko wrote: »

Thanks for your input man,
But with all due respect €5 cuts do not come from a well run shop or qualified barbers.

In your opinion which in this case is wrong.

Of course they are qualified barbers otherwise they would do no business. I got a cut there friday and as usual there was a queue.

To say a barbers you have never been in is not well run or employ unqualified barbers is truly ludicrous.

Anybody paying over a tenner is daft. Its a hair cut not open heart surgery.

EdenHazard

Just give me the style of hair I want, why barbers make it more difficult I'll never know

Liam McPoyle

^^^^


I'd recommend having a couple of copies of Smash Hits around to give the younger lads something to read.



:pac:


Seriously though,the ticketing thing mentioned above is a great idea.

Something I've never seen is a loyalty card for barbers, same as a lot of coffee shops have, get your ticket stamped and every 10th hair cut is on the house.

Obviously getting a decent hair cut will be the ultimate draw but little things like the above IMO would really help too, especially if you are in a smaller town.

baby and crumble

Coleman Slawski wrote: »

Something I've never seen is a loyalty card for barbers, same as a lot of coffee shops have, get your ticket stamped and every 10th hair cut is on the house.

The Square Barbers on Lincoln place in Dublin have a loyalty card. Just saw it the other day, friend of mine swears by them.

geeko

SHOVELLER wrote: »

In your opinion which in this case is wrong.

Of course they are qualified barbers otherwise they would do no business. I got a cut there friday and as usual there was a queue.

To say a barbers you have never been in is not well run or employ unqualified barbers is truly ludicrous.

Anybody paying over a tenner is daft. Its a hair cut not open heart surgery.

Sorry I didn't realise you had experience in this industry????

Please stop talking because you do not have a breeze....

A packet of smokes is ten, so your image should be worth a box......
Take into consideration the costings of running a shop and good products and good barbers. It wouldn't be a feasible business for less than a tenner. Even at that very low profit margins.