Fantastic Sams Cut & Color in St Peter, MN

Our family would go to Fantastic Sam's on occasion and trusted the hairdressers, the friendly atmosphere and convenience. We never had a bad experience. Until today. My husband walked in before work for a quick clip and was told they can't take him, full schedule, and they set an appointment for following day. No problem. Deciding to get mine done at same time, I joined him. Entertaining, there were 3 staff, 2 customers in the chairs, and one customer waiting for one in the chair. The person who "greeted" us was abrupt, rudely informing my husband he was late. Mind you, no notification or reminders were sent as other salons do and we thought we were early. I asked if I could get mine done and she ignored me, making us feel as if we were an annoyance for being tardy, or how dare I ask! Short in tone, she finally said appointments only, as if I should have known they changed their procedure. As we waited to be squeezed in, a father brought his young son in. Again the hairdresser was cold in asking if he had an appointment. Again she sounded annoyed speaking to him, and the duo left, the father saying he thought they took walk-ins. THERE IS NO SIGN ON DOOR so how would customers know they changed??? When my husband had his turn, the hairdresser turned on the charm, asking her well practiced questions in a monotone voice but clearly not interested in conversation or his replies. A quick, less than 5-minute and he was done. As I walked out no one else entered for their next appointment. And, at no point did anyone offer to set up an appointment for me or offer to squeeze me in since no one else was waiting. I get we all have bad days, but if you want customers to return, don't take it out to on them.

I had a great cut and color with Ben here this week. He's been working in the industry for over ten years and has worked at some great salons in the past. He really aims to please and takes his time getting everything right. He makes you feel and look good. A very special gem in town, and the prices at Fantastic Sam's are hard to beat!

This is the second time I went to Fantastic Sams, I walked in at 4:45 on a Saturday and was told to come back tomorrow because they were booked. There was one person getting their hair cut and no one waiting in the lobby with at least two stylists available. The first person I talked to about this when I got back to campus said the same thing happened to her when she tried to go there and she will not return. I will not be returning tomorrow, I will not be returning at all.

The posted hours at this location say they are open until 8:00 PM on weekdays. Tuesday I arrived at 7:15 and was told they were full for the night and no longer accepting clients. I stopped in again the next day, Wednesday, and was told the same thing at the same time. Either this location needs to improve it's staffing or they need to follow the lead of other walk-in salons and set up online check-ins. It's not so convenient if you have to take time off work to get in to a walk-in salon.