GOLD + ARROW in Portland, OR

I went into Gold + Arrow Salon to have a haircut. I didn't know that the front door would be locked when I arrived. I had to knock on the door and tell the counter person who my service was with before Schmoopie and I were admitted. I waited a few minutes for the hairstylist to get ready. I was given a short glass of water. Schmoopie waited for my service to finish on the sofas by the front door. I noticed that most of the other women were much older than me. Over half of the women have silver or grey hair. I was the only African American woman to get a service here on that afternoon. Schmoopie parked around the corner. There is an outlet for water on that block.... and the water dripped (it was a slower drip) onto my hair. The hairstylist complained that part of my hair was wet after the service. She told me before that she doesn't like "touching wet things." I didn't get a shampoo... because Schmoopie and I had other things and tasks to do that afternoon. I got a haircut only. After I paid... I noticed that my voice was hoarse. The music in the Gold + Arrow Salon was too loud. I had to be louder because the hairstylist wanted to talk to me. I typically don't mind talking to people... except when the atmosphere is such that the noises or sounds are too loud. I sometimes tell people.... when the noises or sounds are too loud... "it's too loud for me to think properly..." as a joke. I'm guessing though that Gold + Arrow is going for a "hip or modern vibe" and therefore the music (which was "club music" was loud on that afternoon). I'm not sure why... the music was so loud. The service wasn't expensive.... but because I have long hair I paid more than I would at another hairstylist. Every hairstylist bases their pricing from their experience and their time, and labor involved... (which skill set they are employing during the service). I was quoted $130.00 before the service. Because the haircut took a little bit longer... the hairstylist walked away (from her station) for a few moments during the haircut to get me a glass of water... I was in Gold + Arrow for a little over 45 minutes. Schmoopie says it's not a good neighborhood anymore. I watched the local news recently... and the reporter said that there's more PPB (that's Portland Police Bureau) officers walking in downtown. This salon is a little too far from my condominium. I located a different hairstylist who is closer to my condominium.

If i could put 0 stars I would.  The most unprofessional hair salon I have ever dealt  with- I was in town for a wedding with an appointment the day of the wedding for a blow out at 1:00 pm.  I had made the appointment weeks in advance. They called at 12:15 to say that the stylist was still with her customer whose hair had not processed correctly- and to come in at 1:40 this was cutting it close but I figured I was in kind of a desperate situation.  At 1:15 they called once again saying that I would have to come between 2:00 and 2:30- when I asked "Taylor" the manager if she was sure the stylist could do the blow out at 2:30 - her answer was "well, no - unfortunately it will depend on the customer with the processing problem- could be maybe 3:00" Whaaaaat?  I then asked if the stylist that i was booked with could possibly do my blow dry while the client was processing (I mean- really - 2 plus hours to process ?????). She said - and im not kidding " we never double book" when I replied that isnt that exactly what she had done - with me on the losing end? She then immediately gave me major attitude.  Sadly i cancelled the appointment after that ridiculous conversation and did my own hair - it may not look great - but at least I didnt have to deal with that crew- here are my suggestions for Gold and Arrow:

1.  Send the stylist that is still working on the customers processing situation back to beauty school!

2.  Hire a new manager who at least can fake
common sense- and enroll her in a "Miss Manners" class as well.

Other than that -it was pretty epic!!!!

Fantastic haircut! I have very thick long hair with some wave. It's a challenge for most stylists. Teasa gave me an amazing haircut! She has technical knowledge, great vision, and a true gift of understanding what her clients want. Beautifully decorated salon with a chill vibe and a nice line of hair products.

I have been seeing Kassia for two years now and my hair always looks great when I leave!  She listens, then gives ideas and suggestions.  She is very knowledgeable.  I decided to stop coloring my hair and transition to allowing the natural gray take over a year ago.  She has helped this process be less painful and more "natural" as she did a combination of low lights and highlights to make it look blended.  
I also saw Joshua the other day because Kassia wasn't available on my time schedule before going out of town for a family celebration event.  He also did a great job!  My husband insisted we go out so he could "show me off" with my new hairdo.  
Thank you Gold + Arrow!

Great place to go, if you don't want a haircut...

My haircut appointment this morning was cancelled less than an hour before the appointment time. I understand that things happen, but this is the fourth time they've cancelled an appointment on short notice in the last 6 months or so. One time they cancelled because the online schedule showed a person who no longer worked there, a second time because a person that worked there wasn't actually in on the day appointments were available online, a third time because someone went on vacation. None of those times were they able to re-schedule me for the same day.

I've never had this many cancellations at any place I've frequented before. On top of that, the door to the business has to remain locked because of safety concerns. Yet the cuts are pretty expensive, even for Portland. $60 for a man's short cut, but usually more for any experienced haircutter.

Sadly, I've had some good cuts here, but won't go back because it's just too much trouble to actually get a haircut at this salon.