Abu Dhabi women complain about price rise at salons
Residents allege salons cash in on huge demand during Eid
Abu Dhabi: Many Abu Dhabi residents expressed their concern about how beauty salons in the capital have suddenly increased their prices, cashing in on the demand for beauty treatments during Eid Al Fitr holidays. Most of the salons work extra hours to meet the Eid rush, a situation that was being exploited, residents said.
Hind Mohammad Elkamel, 22, a Sudanese student, said that it was a problem she faced every year before Eid. “I noticed an increase in prices when I went to a beauty salon located on Hamdan Street on Sunday. I went for usual services and while I used to pay Dh90 for a full body wax, [this time] they charged me Dh100 more,” Elkamel said.
“It made me mad, but I had to pay up because I was busy and I didn’t have any other free time to [try out another salon],” she said.
“They [salons] know that people are busy with preparations for Eid and need their services,” Elkamel said.
When Gulf News contacted the salon named by Elkamel, they quoted Dh185 for full body wax, saying the prices were never increased on special occasions like Eid. But Elkamel reiterated that their price for full body wax was Dh90 only until a few days ago.
Hoor El Shafei, 20, an Egyptian student, said she had to shell out Dh170 for some facial treatments, which used to be much cheaper. She said the same salon near Al Wahda Mall was charging Dh300 for eyebrows, cleaning and colouring, instead of their regular price of Dh100.
When contacted, the salon informed Gulf News that it generally charges Dh100 for the same service but Dh300 is charged under a new arrangement called ‘VIP system.’ However, the salon did not respond when asked whether this new system was a ploy to cash in on the rush for services during Eid.
Toqa El Salhy, 22, an Egyptian student, has a similar complaint. A beauty salon on Muroor Road charged her Dh180 for manicure and pedicure while the pre-Eid charge was Dh120, she said.
The salon did not answer phone calls from Gulf News.
The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, which addresses complaints from residents about prices of goods and services in the emirate, was not immediately available for comments.
