STORM2K

Woman Suing Hair Salon Over Depression, Loss Of Job

POSTED: 10:41 a.m. EDT April 9, 2003

ST. LOUIS -- A woman is suing a suburban St. Louis hair salon, claiming failed work on her hair caused her depression and the loss of her job.

Geremie Hoff is suing the Elizabeth Arden Salon, where she went in August 2001 to get her hair straightened or relaxed.

Hoff's attorney, Paul Devine, said Monday that the work on Hoff's hair was so bad that Hoff "shut down. She spiraled into a depression because, right or wrong, looks were important to her."


The salon's attorney, Lawrence Hartstein, told the jury in his opening statement that the stylist, Raye Hudson, had performed "hundreds if not thousands of these procedures" and did nothing wrong in treating Hoff's hair.

Devine alleged that Hudson failed to do a test strand before applying a hair product.

Hoff, now 56, was a teacher at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a tour guide for trips to Italy. Devine alleged some of Hoff's hair fell out after the treatment, and weeks later she had a bald spot in back, "and her hair stuck out like a bird's nest."

Hoff took early retirement from teaching and stopped taking tour groups to Italy, Devine said. He added that a psychiatrist and a counselor will testify about her depression.

This is another case of our great system at work.

But in the lady's defense I will say that women are very particular about their hair.

And also, the defense is accurate about the testing of a strand of hair before applying any type of hair treatment such as coloring, perms, etc.

Lordy child....what's going to happen the next time they paint her nails the wrong color????

the owner of the salon will find him/herself in a hairy situation.

LOL Coriolis - good one.

If that's the case, most women would be able to sue their hairdressers.
Come on ladies, how many of you have had a bad haircut, perm, or coloring at one time or another? Me!!!!
She needs to get real!!! And grow up!!!

I suspect this same lady would have lost her marbles if they gave her an extra pickle on her Big Mac. You just can't win with these people...they are just living their life waiting to blame somebody for whats wrong with their life.

I can say I have had a bad haircut and color. What did I do - I waited a week and went to someone else and they repaired the damage and I turned out normal - or did I?????? LOL.

Patricia

at least for men, the difference between a good hair cut and a bad one is about $10 and a week's time.

LOL...... Ya, i have never paid over 10 bucks for a dang haircut... My wife can has ocasionaly gone and spent $100 dollars in some "trendy" salon...

These are the types of lawsuits that ruin it for people who have legitimate claims.

I pay 13 + $2 tip every 5-6 weeks. That comes out to about $150/year. This is what my wife and 2 daughters spend in 1 month! (a good month...a bad one can be over $200)

I used to be like that spending anywhere from $40 to $80 a month on my hair. I do like it professionally done - but I opt for the cheaper venues now. I get my hair cut every 5 to 6 weeks and it cost no more the $36 dollars and I don't buy them high priced products either - highway robbery in my opinion.

LOL.

Patricia

Wow interesting topic!

I've had bad haircuts but I've had them corrected. Either by going to a new hairdresser or just booking an appt. 1 week later with the same hairdresser. As soon as you sit down in the chair one week later, they put 2 and 2 together. If she/he is a reputable hairdresser, they'll fix it. And possibly at no charge. If it's a hairdresser with an attitude, then I'd never go back - scissors in hand are lethal if the hairdresser has it in for you.

Coloring.....my hairdresser of more than 17 years moved to a pricey salon. He began cutting/coloring my hair about 4 years ago. Total bill, w/o tip was $45. Then it went to $58 about a year later. Then $70. With tip it was costing me $82 every 4-6 weeks to keep the gray covered! His prices went up so much I decided I couldn't stay there. Reason was the salon had given him a 2 year window to charge his old customers his old prices. I said to the girl - I won't tell!!! That didn't work......$82 total bill. Ugh. Long story short, found a hairdresser close to home I liked well enough. She was the one that botched a trim once until I went back a week later for the cut I really wanted. She then said to remind her each and everytime exactly what I wanted (she's been cutting hair for 30 years now, not some newbie). So each time I'd have it written down on paper....then she copped somewhat of an attitude. At this point I realized she thought I was just picky - okay, I am. I'm a woman!!!! Our hair is important to us!!!! Oops, this was supposed to be a long story short thingy, well, I went back to old hairdresser of 17 years and color my hair now. At least when I sit down in his chair he never asks - what are we doing today? He already knows what I want. Never gets it wrong. Sign of a good hairdresser IMO - they can read your mind!!!! His cuts are pricey, $35 but I'm spacing them out. I can color for now - get this - $8! Woohoo!!! One more thing I've noticed and I may come under fire for this observation: male hairdressers suggest more flattering hairstyles (often long) to women. Women hairdressers seem to lean towards short styles and don't particularly care if it's easy for you to manage or not. My male hairdresser (BTW, straight, married with 6 kids) has never botched my hair. He was referred to me long ago and at this point I'm not going with anyone else, until he retires that is!

Okay now j - your head is spinning if you read this drivel huh? LOL

On one hand I feel for the woman suing but on the other she could just always have it cut real short and wait for it to grow back in. I don't think I'd sue. I'd just have it whacked off.

...and the only people REALLY cashing in on this "tort-crazy" fetish are the trial lawyers...

Another tip for the lady being sued (IMO she wants money so thats way she quit her job and became lazy) go shopping - buy hats - scarfs - scrunches - barrettes - trust me there is something out there that will cover, change or do your hair up....

Patricia

I actually read the entire "drivel" with interest. I'm frankly shocked out of my shorts that woman pay as much as they do for haircuts. Don't you all know that all us men really want is a woman with ruffled up hair, half covering her eyes, looking like she just crawled out of bed, a little lipstick if she feels so inclined.....We love ya just the way you are!!

Now....with the money saved do you think we could get in an extra round or two of golf every month??

Hey J -

My hubby feels the same way - but he wants the extra money for his hot rod. LOL.

Patricia

J - an experienced haidresser in the Cincinnati area - for a cut, wash and blow dry - charges about $35. No way around that. The previous woman hairdresser I tried recently charged $21, a steal but her salon had a policy that if she picked up the blowdryer, the fee was doubled, at $42. So I just always sat under a dryer and then went straight home. Laughing again, are you j? But that $21 bargain for an experienced hairdresser is rare I've found. $35 is more the norm. And yes women will pay it. Actually, if I could get my kids or hubby to cut the back of my hair I'd be all set. I can do the sides and bangs I just can't see the back very well. My male hairdresser knows this - I trim the bangs all the time. He doesn't care and just smiles. Maybe I should have been a hairdresser.....I do cut my youngest daughter's hair so that's a bargain at $0! She's 12 and hates that job - sometimes I give her $5 just she'll sit still for me. LOL

Golf.....shocked at what my brother spends on that hobby. Glad hubby isn't into that. But it's all relative.

Wow, this topic could morph into so many directions!!!! Ooops meant to just edit this on my last post - I'll stop!!!! 3 posts on one topic in a very short time is my limit.