QuoteReplyTopic: Great Lengths Posted: October 11 2007 at 9:47am
Why is the actual cost of GL such a secret?????
I am finally getting my dreadful GL out today and I know it is going to be the worst day ever! I am going to have zero hair left. I feel very misled about GL. I would caution anyone thinking about GL to do some serious research before.
The sad part is it was suppose to have been a friend that installed my GL at such a deal (haha). I paid $300/bundle plus tip plus extra for a color. and it seems no one will actually say what the real cost to the hairstylist is. I have found stylists that charge $1000 for 5 bundles. But still not finding out the real cost.
I do not understand the big deal. As consumers, we know that there will be a markup as there is markup on practically everything. But is it a reasonable markup? That seems to be the question.
I guess for my own personal reasons I would like to know the cost so I know if my friend is truly selling me the hair at cost. My instinct tells me otherwise but would really appreciate some honesty.
Thank you
malibu
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How many strands did your friend say were in a bundle? Typically GL is sold in bundles of 25 strands and usually costs the stylist $75. I know this because the girl I had do great lengths told me I would have to pay for the hair first and then when I come in, I would pay for her to install at a rate per strand. This way, if I didn't show up, she wouldn't be out money for the hair. She was very honest and didn't charge a markup on the hair. SHe only charges for her services and they are pricy but at least I know what I am paying for
It sounds like your friend unfortunately way overcharged you. Not a very good friend IMHO.
harleygrl
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Thank you Malibu and Sofiaone for responding. Just had them taken out and yes my hair is trashed... It is eneven and very thin. Very, very, very bad!!! I was told by my hairstylist that everyone who has told me I am being ripped off is wrong. She insists that bundles must be getting cut in half blah blah blah. Will I ever know the truth?? Sofia I have heard $75 before and I believe it. I just cant believe she is insisting she has not overcharged me... Oh and I had to pay $100 to have them taken out.... She also said GL mandates that removal is $100/hour. Boy would I like to know someone at GL....
malibu
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Ouch. Sorry to hear that harley. Sometimes when you get your extensions out you feel like your hair is really thin because you're used to the thickness. As for the un-evenness, did she cut your hair after she applied the extensions?
I think everyone gets ripped off with hair extensions at some point. I remember when I tried Mark Barrington and I got completely hosed. I was also charged $100 for removal and I only had highlights. I think I had 15 bonds. I also remember trying GL for highlights at $10 per bond.
harleygrl
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Nope. My hair is truly trashed. My best friend who has known me for many years actually cried when she saw my hair. I am now at war with the so called friend who did my extensions who still claims she was not overcharging me and no empathy whatsoever when she saw what little hair I had left. She axtually treated me badly. I guess sometimes you find out who your friends truly are... oh and She also says GL dictates the cost for removal. Whatever...I wish I had found you all prior gl!! You have been very helpful and sympathetic...
malibu
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Your friend sounds terrible. GL doesn't dictate anything about removal fees. My hairdresser does it for free (included in the price I paid for the hair extensions). SOme will charge an hourly fee to remove but in no way does GL dictate this. I think their regional rep is Brett Butcher or Brett Butler or something like that. YOu can call GL and report the stylist so that they know she is being dishonest.
How did she remove them? When I had mine removed, they didn't hurt at all and didn't pull since my stylist uses the GL remover on the bonds to disentgrate them and then cracks them with a plier and they slide right out. I have now tried hair locs and don't honestly see why this method is healthier than GL. I think I will lose more hair when this method is removed.
hi! She put 3 bundles of hair in. Does anyone have an email or phone number for GL... When I get the picture of what my hair looked like after the gl were removed i will post it.
I think GL is the only company that actually tries to dictate to the stylist what the minimum price they must charge. I don't like that concept at all.
I think that sadly there are many hair extensionists that overcharge for the hair and service. Not all of us are like that though, you just have to do your homework to find them.
I never mark up the cost of the hair, and my install prices are reasonable, based on what other stylists in my salon charge hourly for doing 'regular' salon services.
Malibu: sorry to hear you had a bad experience with MB. That system still remains one of my top favorites. Sadly some stylists give a good method a bad reputation.
i was in the same boat, I had them in for 3 months and it took two girls two hours to get them out, what was left was thin damaged short hair, I went in to get my GL with shoulder length hair, and when they took them out from al the breakage it was a little past my chin, and the answer was, well the glue got matted...yeah im coming back to you people. hang in there I did blow $195 for this fekkai over night hair repair and it whipped it back in shape within a month, pricey but it was healthier and grew faster.
Currant method Hair locs.
harleygrl
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Malibu: sorry to hear you had a bad experience with MB. That system still remains one of my top favorites. Sadly some stylists give a good method a bad reputation.
I definitely think it was the person who installed them and not the fault of the system. I did notice with the Mark Barrington that the bond (not the tube) left major glue on my hair. That was what took her so long to remove and it felt like she was pulling my hair out. My eyes were tearing. Then she charged me $100 to remove 15 bonds. I just had them for highlights. My eyes started tearing again.
I don't agree that Great Lengths is as bad as people are saying. I think a lot of people had bad experiences with their stylists just like I did when I got Mark Barrington. After my experience with MB I hissed at the name too but it's pretty obvious to me that it was the stylist who didn't know what she was doing.
malibu
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Do you have the picture on fotki or another album? You view the picture and then copy the URL. Go back to your post here and click the little camera icon. Paste the image URL there.
Or you can just post the URL and we'll click to it.
I wore GL for only three months and really was not happy with them for the cost. I did have some breakage upon removal also. It wasn't major damage but the worst I had ever had from an extension system. I blame that keratin bond that they claim is so gentle. It really is not! It is a hair glue no matter how fancy pants they want to build it up to be. Its not magic, thats for certain.
As far as the hair quality, I was not impressed. It seemed course to me even when it was brand new and freshly installed. It only became more rough and matted the longer I wore it. It did not blend well with my natural hair. Some people seem to love it but it was not for me.
harleygrl
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until I figure out how to post the pic, if anyone is interested in seeing the damage, PM me with email and I can email it to you...Ikki, I clicked on that link and it took me to hear u wear and then to salon locator... I am thinking I need to find a GL representative.....
DipsyxGrl
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Your story makes me nervous about getting mine removed. I got my GL install on September 28th and 3 have fallen out since then while brushing my hair. Is that normal? Besides that, I haven't had any problems.
I'm going tomorrow for my 2 week checkup appointment, so hopefully she'll redo the few that have fallen out.
3 are probably okay I would say. Just make sure you are brushing it firmly so any more that are getting loose will come out and then you can have her replace them on your check up.
Gosh! I’m so glad to be done with slipping bonds! That used to bug the be-jesus out of me when they would come out, especially if it happened in public it could be embarrassing lol. Then you have to save them until you go back and the hair keeps looking thinner and thinner. I’m so glad they invented wefts and sew ins! lol
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Why is the actual cost of GL such a secret?????
harleygrl wrote:
