The deals that often catch my ‘frugal wandering eyes’ are those that often taut free with minimum purchase or free with a particular purchase. Free, often seems to have strings attached and it can be very deceiving to the pocket book. The one that I have recently seen and that I have decided to talk about is the latest from my inbound emails.
The latest ad copy I have, fresh to my inbox this morning, is ‘free eyebrow shaping with any $32 OR MORE Salon Service”
Free or is it?
FRUGALITY FACT #1 Free is only great as a consumer when it is free. I could travel to many area discounted Salon’s such as a Super Cuts and receive a cut from reputable stylists(same as that particular salon) and get my eyebrows shaped, and be at $32 with a tip. If I don’t need the eyebrow shaping, then my bill would be even less, so I would not be paying for services I don’t need. (let’s face it, eyebrow shaping is not an every month episode for many ladies, it is more here and there)
FRUGALITY FACT #2
If I wanted my eyebrows done alone, the cost would still not be $32, but seeing the word Free before something just makes it all the more tempting, but really read and understand the words, Free has a price tag on it in this particular case.
FRUGALITY FACT #3
A growing trend is waxing in Nail Spas. The staff often has a dedicated ‘waxing’ person and many times if you get a manicure it is free to get shaped eyebrows. I tried this out at a local salon and I was more than happy with the results. The prices on the manicures were not inflated it was just something that the nail spa was offering that day to increase their future ‘waxing’ services. Free was free.
FRUGALITY FACT #4
The fact that the service may be at a place you normally get your hair done is great, and the special may work for you, however, remember that the $32 PURCHASE that is required still requires you to tip on what the actual amount would have been, therefore your basic $32 style may end up costing you $42 and a tip on $42 not $32, you have actually spent more than you anticipated, once again, the store wins!
HOW YOU MIGHT MAXIMIZE THIS OFFER:
The salon actually offer kids cuts for ages 12 and under for $14, you would need at least 3 cuts in that session to get the free eyebrow shaping. The eyebrow shaping itself costs $12, so you would be spending, $42 + tipping on additional $12, total bill, $54, your cost, Tip + $42—– Not quite Free.
Perhaps Grandpa takes the children for haircuts? If so, Grandpa and a grandchild could get haircuts that would be $32, but, who is going to take the eyebrow shaping? NO Value here.
FRUGALITY FACT #5
This one may not be the most viable option, but if you are looking to get your hair done and your eyebrows shaped, nails polished and so forth, there are many Salon Schools like an Empire Beauty Academy, where you can get these services all for about $32 TOTAL! The catch- it will take a longer time because these are STUDENTS training and logging in their hours. If you are wanting a ‘professional’ cut, you would not be going here, but for kids cuts, a basic hair cut, and nails, the deals can not be beat. Most of the Salon Training establishments will take appointments. Ask others in your area if they have tried out those located by you before going and see what their results are.
THE BOTTOM LINE ON THE DEAL OF FREE WITH A $32 PURCHASE:
Most of the services (at the location I am discussing) start at $32 and above, tips should be factored into your overall price and please note that free is not really free in this case unless you regularly use the salon for your services, then you have actually scored a great deal, just remember to tip on the full amount, not the amount before the waxing.
FREE With a purchase is great if you are headed to the location that offers that particular item and if you were already planning on buying that item which would then give you Maximus Frugality Savings Power! However, if you never really shop the store that the FREE item is being offered, and you want the Free item that is being offered, see how much the item is actually valued at and where else you might purchase it for less.(think places you already frequent) Running out to grab a Free deal will many times cost you more, and then Free has a price tag!
These are my opinions, yours may differ. Article is based on an email received discussing a Free offer. You can see pricing for this particular store here
that is so true. Free is not always free.
Very true – free isn’t always free. Thanks for the tip.
Great points. Sometimes you don’t even realize it either. You have to make sure you read the fine print!
This is true! Most of the time, I don’t even look at “Free with purchase” ads because it rarely is something that saves me money.
So true! Free is just not always the case. Thanks for these great tips!