Wigging Out
Yesterday was my big wig consultation. Not big wig as in “hotshot” or “Ms. Important” but as in hair replacement, get-a-wig, consultation. Let me tell you something, there are some folks out there that have turned cancer into a huge racket. I found out how huge yesterday.
The hair salon I went to specializes in helping cancer patients with hair prosthetics which is why I chose to visit them. They were very, very nice to me over the phone and once I arrived. I thought, “Wow, great customer service! How unusual!”
The consultant took me to a private room where we had a discussion about my illness and what I was looking for in terms of hairstyle. Then he told me the starting price for their wigs: $1,200! I felt a little vomit in my mouth. He must have seen me turn pale because he proceeded to tell me that for cancer patients they start at $800.
Oh, what a bargain!!!
I stood up to leave and told him the wigs were completely out of my price range and the prices were completely ridiculous. That’s when he told me those were the prices for human hair wigs. WTF? The synthetic wigs started at $250 and ranged to $800. He proceed to shove a bunch of catalogs in my hands and expected me to choose a wig from a catalog.
Well, it’s a good thing I did my wig homework prior to the consultation because the wigs in the catalog were the same exact wigs I saw on Wigs.com except the salon was charging three times the price!!! So basically I would have to choose my wig from the salon’s catalog and pay $650 instead of $175 at Wigs.com.
What a waste of time.
When I got home I went through the website again and asked for Cam’s and Teenie’s opinion on what wig I should get. Cam could of cared less. Teenie was very particular because she’s very upset that I’m going to lose my hair. She wants it to look very much like what it looks like now…cut and color.
So, Teenie and I chose this wig with this color:
Pretty darn close to what I have now! And it only cost me $178!
I know that most of you voted for long hair and even Dude would like me to have long hair as well so when we come back from our trip I might order a longer wig if there is some leftover spending money.
So what do you think? The wig’s name is “Fiesty”…is that apropos or what?
Filed under WTF? |28 Responses to “Wigging Out”
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11:31 am on April 27th, 2008
That’s a really nice cut, and I think it’ll look smashing on you. Makes me wish I had a wig for bad hair days, lol.
Rachaels last blog post..Guess what I did last weekend, part three!
11:38 am on April 27th, 2008
I love it! It’s got serious attitude! Sure to keep you in there fighting.
Rona Michelsons last blog post..Decisions, decisions
11:43 am on April 27th, 2008
Heh thats what I would call it.
geeks last blog post..Saturday post
12:48 pm on April 27th, 2008
With everything going on, Teenie probably needs that little bit of stability of Mommy looking the same as always. I think it’s a good choice.
1:11 pm on April 27th, 2008
Looks faboo. Course, you’d look faboo in green dreadlocks, so…
Karls last blog post..Shockinawe
1:20 pm on April 27th, 2008
I think its damn cute! Hold on to it tight when you go on the rides!
1:46 pm on April 27th, 2008
CUTE! I cannot believe that salon’s are ripping people off like that, AND can still look at themselves in the mirror & sleep at night. asshats. SO glad you did your research!!
Tugs last blog post..Phlebotomists can suck it
2:05 pm on April 27th, 2008
Rona, There’s nothing better than hair with attitude. Woo hoo!
Pam, In talking to her yesterday I could tell how much it bothers her that I am going to lose my hair which is why I made her a part of the decision. She doesn’t want me to look any different than I do now.
Karl, Can I seriously adopt you? You are so sweet. Green dreads though? Hmmmm, there’s an image I’d like to make in Photoshop!
bluepaintred, I made sure to get the gripper thingie so it will stay on my head. I’ll still have my own hair when we go to Disney unless my CT Scan comes back horribly bad tomorrow.
Tug, I was shocked…sticker shocked…when I saw the prices in their catalog. WTF? I understand they need to make a profit but all they are doing is ordering a wig the same way I would…they are just making a $400 to $500 profit on it. On human hair wigs they are making an even higher profit.
They are so lucky I didn’t put a link to their website on my blog. So lucky.
2:09 pm on April 27th, 2008
I think Fiesty is so you. Maybe you can name the longer one Fancy.
cajunvegans last blog post..My Vegas Is Showing
2:20 pm on April 27th, 2008
One thing you CAN do is send the story to consumerist.com. They’re awesome about getting the story out there so no one else gets screwed!
Tugs last blog post..Phlebotomists can suck it
2:25 pm on April 27th, 2008
That’s unbelievable! How can they justify that?
It’s a very cute wig you picked out! I’m sure it will look great!
Lisas last blog post..Friends
2:59 pm on April 27th, 2008
I think that is SO cute.
It’s probably like anything else, they charge about 3 times the price. It’s the same if you go out to eat or many products you buy at smaller stores (or stores that aren’t like Wal-Mart, you know) that’s the markup.
I don’t know how that salon can justify charging that much, though. Maybe they are experts at choosing and fitting and trimming, but still… I think they’re taking advantage of vulnerable people.
I think you do a fine job of picking one to suit you. I like this one better than the other ones you showed. I think this is a good choice of cut and I LOVE the color!
annies last blog post..Live From New York…
3:24 pm on April 27th, 2008
It’s very sassy. I love it!
Also, I read that if you get a prescription a “cranial prosthesis,” your health insurance will cover your wig. Some people may be eligible for a wig through the American Cancer Society or cancercare.org (1-800-ACS-2345) or Cancer Care (1-800-813-HOPE).
Thought you might like to know this if you don’t already !
Hugs
5:55 pm on April 27th, 2008
Oh I love that style and color so much. And the name is perfect and it’s going to look very hot on you!
As much $$ as I spend on my hair (covering gray), I should just get a wig and be done with it, I’m thinking now!
Yikes about the prices at the salon!
Paulas last blog post..Dear Lisa
7:03 pm on April 27th, 2008
NICE wig!!!!
Lis… I’m a little worried about Cam. She couldn’t care less just about hair or she just acted like she didn’t care? It sounds like she might just still be not dealing with it and maybe she thinks that if she just ignores what’s happening and doesn’t take part and doesn’t cry that it will go away… but that of course never works.
Give her an extra hug today from me. 
girlinthecrosswalks last blog post..Drink me slowly.
8:06 pm on April 27th, 2008
Tug, It would be painfully obvious who submitted them because I live in a small community and I had enough to say to them while I was there. I’m pretty brash on my own word alone. They lost a HUGE sale…insult enough.
annie, God help me but I’m shopping at Wal-Mart again because everyone is charging outrageous prices. I’m actually finding much better quality stuff there too than I did in the past. Stuff made in the U.S.A.
Charging $750 for a $178 wig is horrific and I’m sure people are getting suckered and the people getting suckered are sick people with cancer. That’s money needed for chemotherapy and radiation.
They should be ashamed of themselves.
Wait, what was Tug’s idea again?
Mattie, To get a wig through the American Cancer Society you have to go through their Look Good, Feel Good program by calling their 800 # and then by getting linked to a local office. Their selection is limited but it’s a great alternative for people who absolutely cannot afford to pay more than $50 for a wig. With a prescription the wig is free.
I’ve been a volunteer for the American Cancer Society since 2005 as a Community Ambassador and Relay Chair.
Paula, Thanks…I think the color will match the one I have now. I was able to justify the cost by the amount of money I’ve previously spent on my hair…cut, color and hair products every 8 weeks. The wig and wig care products equaled the same thing! Since I’ll wear the wig for at least 6 months…most likely longer then it’s already saved me money!
I may stick with wigs for a long time!
girlinthecrosswalk, Cam doesn’t care about hair in general. Girly stuff just isn’t her gig. She could care less about clothes, fashion, trends…anything like that. She is so not my child…LOL.
8:34 pm on April 27th, 2008
It makes me sad to hear that about the human hair wigs when I know so many people that have donated their hair just for that reason and now to find out that they are super expensive and those that need them are not able to get them….it wouldn’t suprise me if the stores were selling the donated hair ones to regular people because the cancer patients couldn’t afford them. I guess the donated hair might go the ACS or another org like that and avoid the commercial retailers altogether. I hope so.
I think the wig looks cute, you did good.
Mishkas last blog post..Beachin’ It
8:58 pm on April 27th, 2008
The American Cancer Society has the ability to offer low cost and free synthetic wigs because of donations and the Relay For Life.
9:28 pm on April 27th, 2008
I’d still e-mail them. In the info you want printed, just say *local hair shop* or whatever…let them know you’re willing to talk to them about detail privately, but not willing to have it go on the ‘net. They, from what I’ve seen & read, are on the up & up, and the story really deserves to get out there. IF you’re up to it…
9:29 pm on April 27th, 2008
when i did some research about donating my hair, i found that wig companies will only get their human hair from women in third world countries b/c they usually wear it long and it’s relatively “dirty” compared to women who live in the western world: they don’t treat it at all and don’t wash it nearly as much as women in wealthier countries. i suppose the cost of processing it and shipping it to other countries is high, but not nearly high enough to charge $1200 for a wig!
i’ve donated to locks for love before and their site says that it takes 6-8 donations (of something high like that) to make one child’s wig. 6 more donations and someone could get a pure sister d wig, lucky them!
i’ll give you a call back tomorrow. love ya!
10:41 pm on April 27th, 2008
I love the wig. I think the name is quite appropriate.
I lost my Mom to cancer and my Sister is a cancer survivor. I’ll do a few laps for you at this years Relay for Life in June.
5:07 am on April 28th, 2008
Wow! That’s ridiculously overpriced! To me it sounds like they are taking advantage of cancer patients. It is wrong on WAY too many levels!
I must say I like the wig you chose even though I originally voted for longer.
Colin Brookss last blog post..note to self
7:40 am on April 28th, 2008
Oh that’s cute. And I can see wanting something “fun” - but needing something “normal” too.
Miss Britts last blog post..How Miss Britt Makes Low Carb Bread: A Bedtime Story
10:25 am on April 28th, 2008
I love the color. I am glad you went with short. Because you mentioned the collar thing earlier.
Absurdists last blog post..Sorry I haven’t been around
12:02 pm on April 28th, 2008
Sister D, So does that mean your donation of hair doesn’t even get used until you make six to eight more donations? That would be insane.
Mary, I am so sorry to hear that you lost your mother to cancer but I’m happy to hear that your sister is a survivor. The Relay For Life has been a big part of my life for the past three years and I was the Mission Chair for my Relay this year but stepped down because I’m so sick.
My goal is to make the Survivor’s Lap.
Colin, I’m so glad you approve of my choice!!!
Miss Britt, Yes, there are going to be days when I don’t feel “fun”.
Abusurdist, I have the feeling this won’t give me any problems.
2:32 pm on April 28th, 2008
The wig is very cute. I LOVE the color.
Staceys last blog post..Do You Want to Hear a Secret?
5:38 pm on April 28th, 2008
It looks great and I’m sure will look fabulous on you!
6:16 pm on April 28th, 2008
Cindy, I hope it looks good…I’ll take pictures once it gets here.