Columbia (Re-opening Summer 2017) - Wig, Beauty, Costume Shop

Category:	Costume Store
Address:	66 N Front St, Kingston, NY 12401, USA
Phone:	+1 845-339-4996
Site:	columbiacostumes.com
Rating:	3.7

Location

Photos 22

Reviews 6

Meg Baker

Today I went to columbia to purchase two packs of 100% human hair extensions. I have been coloring and lightening extensions for my clients for years. I always use silky straight human hair. I needed to buy a black pack of hair to lighten the tips for an ombre effect and after, deposit purple color into. I also needed a blonde pack of hair to deposit dye into the tips. I told the sales associate I needed 100% human hair because I would be doing ombre and coloring. She showed me the black hair in virgin hair and silky straight 100% human hair. I decided to buy the silky straight because the virgin hair was wavy. She said they didnt have blonde in stock, but they had it in synthetic. I said I needed the 100% human hair because I color all my extensions. (Keep in mind this is why we as consumers pay more for 100% human hair, because it can be colored, bleached and styled.) I left with my black 100% human hair went back to the solon and proceeded to bleach the ends of the hair. After 3 times bleaching the hair and realizing it wasnt lifting a single level or even a tint, I realized this is something Ive never seen in 100% human hair. I showed this to the other stylists and they said they had also never seen real hair react this way to bleach. It was like the hair was a piece of solid black plastic rather then a strand of protein which color can be removed from. I then called columbia and the sales women said " human hair extensions (if processed) can not be lightened." THIS IS A LIE, I have only lightened silky straight processed extensions, I dont like curly or wavy hair. The brands I have lightened before are; great lengths, so-caps, sassy and euronext. I have never encountered anything like this. She then said she would have the associate who helped me call me back. She did call me back and the women who helped me buy the hair went on to say when I was talking about coloring the hair she thought I was only depositing on the JET BLACK not lifting. Which is absurd because if you simply deposited on black hair you wouldnt see anything. Then she changed her story again and said she had only heard me talking about coloring the blonde. Another lie. I truly believe the associate who helped me did not know their human hair couldnt be lifted and wasnt told until the manager had her call me back and then she played dumb. The bottom line is that 100% human hair, processed straight or not, should eventually lift, maybe not as quickly and without damage as virgin hair. BUYER BEWARE their "human hair" does not lift AT ALL because its "processed". I dont know what process they use on the hair, but real human hair lifts after the karatin treatment, brazilian blowout, and japonese straightening system. I guess the carry the only brand of human hair extension that is sealed in god knows what! I know that there are no returns with hair, but this was a total misrepresentation of human hair on their part and they did nothing to rectify or remedy this issue. Needless to say this cost me a lot, I am just glad that I didnt ever put this hair on a client and have them ask me to highlight it. They would end up with only their own natural hair lifting and the extensions doing nothing. They lost a customer.

A Private User

Great costume shop. 2 complaints. One is that they do not post their "No Return Policy" in a manor that is available to customers to see. Its located behind the counter, at the eye level of a child. If it is so strict, then it should be a bit more obvious. Such as posting a sign in the window, as well as at the counter. The other is the lady who rang me up. Every other employee in the shop was pleasant and helpful. When faced with an issue of my own doing (returning the costume), she was incredibly rude with her comments, as well as her forceful nature, and the rolling of the eyes did not help. This reflected onto the girl next to her, who decided to make a comment as I, the unhappy customer, was leaving the store. This does nothing for the store owner - as I was ready to call the friend who recommended the place, and tell her it was a horrible recommendation. Thankfully Laura the owner, was a pleasant woman who took my return as one time, against all policies situation. If she had not been so wonderful, I would not direct anyone I know towards the store. I hope the girl behind the counter learns a thing or two about customer service, because the way she treated me was irresponsible and rude.

collin payne

To Meg Baker....I am also a stylist, who use this product and you were informed correctly.The reason is that the human hair has been processed with textile dye aka carpet dye - you cannot lift the color unless you want a funky pink or green shade. You were told correctly. Deposit is not a problem but you cannot lift any levels without ruining the hair. You have to remember this hair has been sourced from many people, then processed with a slow bleach to get the desired level then processed with carpet dye so it will not fade. To leave a negative message is bad karma especially if you dont educate yourself on the process of how hair is collected and transformed into extensions. All manufacturers do it figuring they are working with Chinese or Indian hair. Ive never seen a blonde Asian have you?

Scott T

After doing business with this shop for many years all I can say is never again. Called them about a specific mask and the lady did not know of it and told me to come up there. I can accept this but after finding said mask on their website called again. She still wouldnt take the few minutes to see if they had it in stock. I explained to her I was an hour away. She wouldnt even take the time to look it up on the computer. Basically told me they had no computer and hung up on me .I have never dealt with a more rude, unhelpful condescending sales person in my whole life. I can spend my hard earned money somewhere else and encourage others to do the same.

A Private User

I bought a belly dance top. It was too small after I tried it on. I went to bring it back and the store associates were so rude. I was looking for my receipt and it took a while. The whole time I was looking for it , I had to hear that if I dont have a receipt they would charge me a $20.00 restocking fee. Well, the top was $20. Th size M was right next to me on the rack for $20.00. It would been an exchange less than a week from the date of purchase. I found the receipt and I exchanged it. They were beyond unprofessional. I spent $172 there. Everything is made like garbage and is falling apart. I wont ever return.

Nick Kop

My daughter, 15 years old, lost a lot of hair due to a medication she is taking. She stopped going to school because she was ashamed. I brought her to Columbia Shop in Kingston. Toni, the hair expert, took her into a private room filled with hair pieces and a comfortable stylist chair. She had a gentle and kind manner that my daughter feel comfortable. Toni found a perfect top piece that you could never tell wasnt the real hair. My daughter is now going to school. These pieces can be extremely expensive, but here the prices are quite reasonable.