Playing the radio...

[DumBlonde]

Hi there, I would like a couple of opinions on something fairly silly, but here goes anyway... I own an upmarket hair and beauty salon with 2 partners and we've disagreed on playing the radio in the salon as opposed to playing cds - the argument being that playing the radio is tacky and makes the place look cheap. What do you guys think? If you were in an expensive salon having your hair done, would you think radio 1 in the background would sound out of place?

[keen2learn]

I would rather hear the radio than CDs - if you happen not to like the CD artiste much, it's too much of the same thing. Radio is more varied, and the DJ links are usually fun. Only my opinion though - be interesting to see what other people say.

[hugnie21]

Have to disagree but only because I can't stand Radio one's music or presenters. If you're CD songs are varied enough the customers should be happy

[morg_monster]

I'd rather listen to radio 1 than commercial radio cos there are too many adverts, but probably a good selection of cds on a changer would be better.  Nothing too loud though!

[Greedyfly]

I'd dsay radio 2 - its i funny and plays a wide variety of music for the younger and older clients and it doesn't get annoying like radio 1.  But I prefer listening to the radio when at the salon - gives me something to laugh about.  Some salons just play chart crap and I get enough of that at work

[FP]

Varied CDs.  But not that awful mix like supermarkets have.  Radio 1 would personally drive me away.  Nice soothing music - Led Zep!!

[FatCharlie]

What I find most annoying is when the radio or CD appears to be for the benefit of the staff rather than the customer.  Why not ask your customers?  Especially regulars who tip well !!

[Mortartube]

I know a hair dresser who has told me, that if you play any music (radio or CD) in a salon, you may find that one day, a bill will drop on your doormat for a public performance licence. This has happened to people he knows, and it ain't cheap.

[paddy_36]

Like all other replies this is purely my opinion, but I feel radio sounds a bit naff in shops and businesses, especially commercial radio - ads sound really tacky. I'm with FP - varied CDs, although the difficulty is that music taste is a very personal thing. Nothing too dancey/trancey, no rock or twee pop. Sorry, I'm getting a bit carried away - hope that helps! Agree with Mortartube though; make sure you've got that licence! They do carry out checks...(it happened in a place I used to work).

[woofgang]

What I like about the salon I visit, as well as the great haircut and the friendly staff is the silence!! conversations are carried on quietly and there is no muzak....very relaxing

[Pinotage]

If you want to use music to give it an upmarket feel then Radio 1 is not the answer. All the laddish banter? Ask yourself why you really want music. Is it for the benefit of the customers, or for the clippers? Usually music in any enterprise is there for the taste of the employees, the poor customer has to put up with it.

So I agree with FatCharlie - ask the customers what they want, hand out a survey form with one of the options being no music. Now thats classy these days, a quiet place.

Or contact your local music college and get some students a pitch for an hour in the morning and afternoon to play live.

[cocopops]

why dont you try Magic 105.4 where they play old, but not too old time tunes with a mellow flavour, there is also more music and less talk... its one of my fav radio stations...

[Wraith]

I think the radio would be better. CD's may please some of the customers, but finding music that everyone likes is practically impossible. At least with the radio there is a selection of music and you get the news too, which is always good for giving you something to chat about.

The other problem with a CD is that if you're in the salon for a long time you get it repeated.