SaxInTheCity's Blog

Seriously, how much do you REALLY have to pay to get a decent haircut in Chicago? In June, I met Marianne Strokirk at her namesake salon on Oak Street downtown while putting together a story about "Chicago's Most Expensive/Glamorous Places/Things" (it's in the blog here somewhere--look for it!) and I honestly couldn't believe what people paid for a haircut there:

$350 for a first-time consultation!

YIKES!

 As you'll see in the story below (aired 8/16/07), I normally pay no more than $35 (not including the exhorbitant tips I obviously leave!).

So I got to thinking, let's do a little test here! I had Marianne cut my hair, and a month later (or earlier--I'm not saying which) I had my regular guy (David Rosenthal at the Anna George Salon/225 North Michigan) cut it as well. We videotaped each cut and then asked YOU the viewer to vote.

Here's the story (ignore Suppelsa's smart-aleck anchoring comments--I already gave him a whooping as punishment) AND the results of the viewer vote!

Regardless of these results, I'm still sticking with David at Anna George because he's:

 a) right in the same building as FOX and very convenient, and...

b) I don't have enough HAIR to justify Strokirk's prices (nor am I anywhere near rich enough to afford her cuts!). To be fair, her price drops to less than $200 a cut once you become a regular, but that still ain't cheap enough for this cheap reporter!!!!!

Overall, I think they both did/do a great job, though! Thanks to both for their willingness to sbject themselves to this experiment!