Activity: Manicure at T-accessible salon in the Boston suburbs
Estimated Cost: $22, $19 for manicure + $3 for tip
Actual Cost: $3 for tip
Savings: $19
NOTE: Before receiving my free manicure, I signed a waiver that I would not post negative comments about the salon or manicure experience in any social media outlets. My experience was positive, but I have still omitted the name and location of the salon in the interest of honoring the waiver.
Confession time: I check two sections on Craigslist almost everyday: “Missed Connections” and “Free.” "Missed Connections" appeals to my inner romantic, "Free" to my inner cheapskate. I usually scan the freebies for entertainment value and potential furniture upgrades. Last week, something unusual caught my eye: "Free Manicure." According to the post, a suburban salon was offering free manicures as part of a training program. A few emails with a name@salonname.com-type email address later and I had a 10:00am appointment.
The morning of the appointment, I had a moment of panic and called the salon to make sure the whole thing wasn’t a scam. It wasn’t, the receptionist assured me, so I headed out.
At the salon, I checked in with the receptionist, browsed the polishes, and admired the bright, airy atmosphere of the salon. I had settled on Essie's Glamour Purse ("an alluring almond taupe" according to the bottle) when the manicurist came to fetch me. We walked behind the receptionist’s desk, through a narrow kitchen-esque area with sinks and washing machines, up a narrow staircase, and emerged into the windowless employee break room. Between the employee lockers and a kitchenette complete with a lunch table, two small folding tables were set up as mini-manicure stations.
First I signed the waiver (on the "training model" line). I patted myself on the back for receiving compensation for modeling. Then I got my manicure. The manicurist was great. The training leader sat beside us and observed. She critiqued his filing technique, asked me how the hand massage was (great!), and, after a careful inspection, declared the final product “perfect!”
The Cost of Free: A perfect, salon-quality manicure for a fraction of the cost. The setting was little unusual, but it was fun to see behind the scenes. Always be sure to investigate Craigslist offers carefully!
Estimated Cost: $22, $19 for manicure + $3 for tip
Actual Cost: $3 for tip
Savings: $19
NOTE: Before receiving my free manicure, I signed a waiver that I would not post negative comments about the salon or manicure experience in any social media outlets. My experience was positive, but I have still omitted the name and location of the salon in the interest of honoring the waiver.
Confession time: I check two sections on Craigslist almost everyday: “Missed Connections” and “Free.” "Missed Connections" appeals to my inner romantic, "Free" to my inner cheapskate. I usually scan the freebies for entertainment value and potential furniture upgrades. Last week, something unusual caught my eye: "Free Manicure." According to the post, a suburban salon was offering free manicures as part of a training program. A few emails with a name@salonname.com-type email address later and I had a 10:00am appointment.
The morning of the appointment, I had a moment of panic and called the salon to make sure the whole thing wasn’t a scam. It wasn’t, the receptionist assured me, so I headed out.
At the salon, I checked in with the receptionist, browsed the polishes, and admired the bright, airy atmosphere of the salon. I had settled on Essie's Glamour Purse ("an alluring almond taupe" according to the bottle) when the manicurist came to fetch me. We walked behind the receptionist’s desk, through a narrow kitchen-esque area with sinks and washing machines, up a narrow staircase, and emerged into the windowless employee break room. Between the employee lockers and a kitchenette complete with a lunch table, two small folding tables were set up as mini-manicure stations.
First I signed the waiver (on the "training model" line). I patted myself on the back for receiving compensation for modeling. Then I got my manicure. The manicurist was great. The training leader sat beside us and observed. She critiqued his filing technique, asked me how the hand massage was (great!), and, after a careful inspection, declared the final product “perfect!”
The Cost of Free: A perfect, salon-quality manicure for a fraction of the cost. The setting was little unusual, but it was fun to see behind the scenes. Always be sure to investigate Craigslist offers carefully!
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