Frankie Salon Richmond — Attraction in Melbourne

With time being so precious these days it was important to find a salon that could maintain that work life balance. After 11 years at the salon close to home and work, my work relocated closer to the city Frankie’s is a 20 minutes walk from the Burnley Business park. So a quick stroll along the river, to start unwinding. Arriving at Frankie’s to be greeted with the friendliest smile and informative communication. A message from the salon in the lead up requested I arrive 15 minutes early…..I was 30minutes early. Some how in the business of the day I thought my appointment was 15 minutes earlier than it was. I was offered a beverage. A cup of tea and:or a glass of wine. Now that’s the way to unwind! Watching the team move about a small space was fabulous. That communication experienced from entry continued naturally between the team. Supporting one another, identifying areas where one might be of assistance to another and just doing it (none of this wait to be asked or ask for permission business). When taken upstairs I sat next to my stylist (Elliot) who was tending to someone else at the time. He greeted me effortlessly. Exchanged communication with both myself and his other guest. Encouraging communication between strangers even. It felt so comfortable. It was getting late. Without hesitation one of the team members gently exchanged with the other, that they would wash my hair. As for the style and how I walked out…..well….I felt amazing. The cut the colour and the result was just what was necessary. The team consulted with one another about the colour mix. Suggestions of what could be tried next time (only if necessary and wanting something a little different) entered. All future appointments entered into the system and an email of these sent through.

Now I have always felt pampered at the hairdressers so what set this apart from the other salon? The pampering previously was focused on the guest. Frankie’s focus on everyone. All people are important. Without happy staff you can not have truely happy guests. My soul was warm!

Being close to the city and Bridge Road leant itself to the perfect opportunity to take that new hair, pep in the walk and smile of confidence to dinner and...

Had quite a unpleasant experience at Frankies, which to be honest is a shock to me as the reviews I saw looked quite amazing. I arrived to my appointment 6 minutes late so I do take responsibility for being slightly late but not ridiculously late that it would impact the service I had booked, which was a Half Foil and Toner as I had a major event on the coming weekend interstate in Sydney. Upon entering I was told I am late and they may not be able to do the services I asked, which for a first time customer is appalling as I called up to say I will be running slightly late and assumed from a logically perspective that 5 to 6 minutes would not affect this.

Based on this, I was already a little taken back but I suggested I am happy to leave if the service cannot be completed, the lady then went and spoke to her team member and came back to tell me that it should be fine and sat me down.

After my hair was completed it looked great and the colour looked nice. Couple days later (3 to 4 Days after my appointment), a family member who owns her own hair salon inspected my hair and noticed that

1. My Roots were not fully coloured correctly

2. Lifting the top part of the dyed hair, underneath a lot was not dyed and only a T Section was done not a half foil

I was charged over $330 for the service and they unethically provided a T section and not what I had booked and paid for without mentioning anything to me. I then called and spoke to I believe who was the manager who rudely told me no refunds, which is not only unethical but illegal to offer to a complete no refund policy. She suggested I come in to fix my hair which was impossible as I was in Sydney and kept referring to me “not being happy with the colour” in the email which wasn’t the concern, it was the fact that the salon overcharged me on purpose and completed only a T Section. After a couple back and fourths I was only provided a $50 refund which is disgusting as I had to urgently find another salon in Sydney to fix my hair for an event which turned out to be a surprise birthday.

Worst of all I was not apologised to once...

Worst wedding hair

My hair was flat, lifeless and dry for my wedding day. It would have been better if I had done my own hair.

I was after a very simple and generic look, I had asked for wavy hair and a little bit of volume. Nothing special, I was happy to have just nicely presented hair. I had called the salon weeks before to check that the look I was going for was inline with their style.

The staff was friendly and the lady that did my hair took time to carefully curl my hair. But as more hairspray was going in and more back combing, I could see my hair becoming more and more dry. She took a very long time and applied so much hairspray, I was hoping that it would all come together in the end... but it didn't. When the lady finished, she quickly showed me the result with the mirror and quickly left to her next appointment.

My mother was with me and I could see her disappointment. We didn't say anything to each other as we didn't want anything to ruin the spacial day and tried to keep positive. But when we got home, we felt so disappointed. My hair had no shape, no waves, had way too much hairspray which made my hair extremely stiff, horribly dry and look lifeless, I wanted to wash my hair and start from scratch and do it myself. I wish I had a little more time to wash my hair that day after the salon, but I didn't have time as it was my wedding a few hours later so I did the best I could with my hair straightener.

I contacted the salon to share my experience as they asked for my feedback but I never...