An Amazon Blow Out - checking out the only Amazon Hair Salon in the world.

An Amazon Blow-out!

Discovering I was thirty minutes taxi ride from the only Amazon Salon in the world, felt too good to miss. So, the die-hard CX-er in me stroked my split ends thoughtfully, and booked on the spot.?The things we have to do in the name of research...

I was expecting more of a high-tech booking system. A quick google tells me I need to email. Though the email response is quick and answers my questions. Soon I am booked in. Cracking.

I find it slightly confusing that the email correspondence comes from a different salon name to begin with, before receiving emails and texts from Amazon salon. The Amazon Salon confirmation text was exactly as I hoped – my name, looking forward to seeing you, the date, time, and address, contact number and email address. The basics that I need.?

After being completely ripped off by the taxi firm called by our hotel and ￡40 lighter before I’d even arrived at Spitalfields, London, I found myself on a very fancy street, looking at a double shop front. Posh shops beckon me from all sides.

I stepped inside to a waft of something heavenly, and was immediately greeted with a smile, my coat taken, gowned-up (branded gown, neatly folded, ironed and looking fresh) and seated. Designer hand sanitiser squirted into my palms. I’ve arrived 30 minutes early (keen to soak it all up and watch the CX!). I’m given an Amazon tablet with a large volume of digital magazines. I choose Top Gear (forever the petrol-head) and settle in to read about the new Bugatti Bolide (drooool), whilst my greeter brings me a can of water and a cardboard straw. I appreciate the green approach. There’s a friendly buzz around the salon. Plenty of tech. Everything branded.?

My stylist comes over to check on me a couple of times, just to let me know he’s running late but making sure I’m all good and making me smile.?

He tells me he is 'all mine' about fifteen minutes after my appointment time and takes me to the hair wash area. This is where is tells me a little of the science of hair. PH balances. Protein requirements. He pops a treatment in my hair and my feet up. All the time, humming, singing and generally being fun and friendly.?

Back at the hair station, I ask his name – Karole (May be spelt differently!), and we launch into a conversation of how he advocates for dyslexic children and adults, standing up for those who need it. We talk about the salon, which only opened in May and how it is expected that Amazon won’t open any more. I’m keen to hear more on this, but a regular client arrives, and he momentarily greets her.?

He shows me the screen which allows me to ‘colour’ my hair any shade virtually. The lighting doesn’t work particularly well for the screen, and the screen could be bigger, but it’s a great concept and useful for all those colour conversations needed, where you can check your expectations meet the colourist’s reality. I decide a pink barnet is not really for me, and he sets to work removing the offending split-ends, and sculping my hair into a curly blow-out halo.?

I like the energy of Karole and the store, it feels friendly, pro-active, and technical.?

Whilst paying the bill, I ask if they can order me a taxi. I’m met with confused eyes from the team and just advised to hail a cab from somewhere down the road. A little disappointed I head out, taking a quick selfie on the way.?

I ask in M&S and Pizza Express for support with taxis they tell me the same, hail a cab, and all look a little confused at my request. Not just Amazon Salon then! I feel like a proper tourist as I stick my arm out on the busy road and try not to get run over by the constant stream of London buses or errant cyclists.?It's all a little nerve-racking if I'm honest.

After 25 minutes, my arm hailing/floundering are successful, and I have an enlightening chat with a London cabbie – Douglas who only charges me ￡20 for the return journey, and gives me tips about roulette tables.?

He tells me that Amazon have a store concept (4-star stores – now open in Westfield and Bluewater) where you can buy the top non-food items, all of which have received 4/5 star reviews and above, and we launch into a conversation all about electric pressure cookers. He takes me up a cheeky service road back-route to return me quicker, warning me of the bumps in the road and cranks me out a receipt, without even asking. Douglas is excellent at CX!!

My ‘do’ survives until my 'do' the next day, and back at my hotel, I receive a well worded and upbeat feedback request via text from Amazon Salon via Phorest.com.?

Would I go again? Yes, If I was local. Was I blown away? My hair was (my treatment worked wonders). Was it any better than any other good salon? Not really, but as a concept, it was well executed and the CX was pretty good too.?Give it a whirl if you're curious and nearby!