Implements Are Disposable, Clients Are Not

A letter in August’s Allure has prompted NAILS to revisit a matter of client courtesy and fairness. As “Rebecca B” explains in her letter; she and a friend decided to treat themselves to massages and pedicures at a Westbury New York, salon. After the massage, as the pedicure was beginning, Rebecca’s technician informed her she would have to buy a $ 10 set of implements from the salon since she hadn’t brought any from home. Rebecca was surprised — no one had explained this to her prior to her appointment. Not wanting to ruin her friend’s good time, she paid but she remained understandably unhappy.

The strict law in New York State undoubtedly prompted the salon’s policy: Instruments made of porous materials such as files and pumice stone must be discarded after each use or sealed in a bag for use on only one client. But the law is no excuse for the salon’s failure to prevent an awkward situation. If you require clients to buy implements or bring their own, do the right thing. Let clients ‘‘now your policy when they make their appointment, and if you forget, throw in the tools gratis.