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Hello everyone - is anyone else experiencing the following problems?
I've just received my latest system which I bought in the sale and yet again I'm disappointed with the density and knots.
I've previously asked HD more than once to reduce the density particualry at the front as it looks unnatural when compared with my own hair as it's thinned out since I first began purchasing HD systems some years ago. I also find having the hair too thick also reduces its movement and limits the style I like which tends to be a modern short style where you can see straight through to the scalp.
Also, in spite of numerous requests, the factory are still using double rather than single knots which gives a less natural appearance and movement to the hair. I know that for a fact cause all my new systems frequently shed some hair after washing and I can clearly see x2 hairs per knot rather than a single hair per knot.
Once again the knots arn't all bleached out in spite of several previous requests. I reversed the system and held it against my skin and could see lots of black dots.
This isn't so much of a problem because I can uased a bleaching kit to reduce these but I'm disappointed that this wasn't addressed before being shipped out to me.
I know HD can get things occasionally right as one of my last two systems was almost perfect in density. There were a few unbleached knots but I quickly got rid of these myself. Once cut in it look great. But this tends to the the exception rather than the rule.
Why can't this kind of quality be consistently repeated? Am I expecting too much? It's so frustrating because although HD is great at correcting things I still have to then wait at least another 5 weeks before getting my system back. At the moment I can't do that because my old system is worn out now so I'll have to hang onto this one until my next ones arrive at the end of November.
Please HD can you try harder on quality contgrol and to ensure future systems consistently right - thanks.
Born Again
Born Again: I know HD can get things occasionally right as one of my last two systems was almost perfect in density. There were a few unbleached knots but I quickly got rid of these myself. Once cut in it look great. But this tends to the the exception rather than the rule.
Bwaahahahhha. Ain't that the truth.
Seriously though, density isn't my issue, its size and shape of base. I've got two that are perfect now, but more than 50% I've bought over the course of my time with HD at times, have been off...some that were usable, but several that seem as though they were made by chimpanzees or were simply sent to me by mistake, originally made for a man with a head much, much larger than mine.
I am pretty sure its not actually HD's fault, but rather whoever actually makes these things.
The trick is to get up on your inventory, have several that are right, and then be able to have more coming that you can send back but still have usable units. Anything else (i.e. to COUNT on a unit to be right) is a gamble.
At least they ARE great about fixing things...it could be so much worse.
I keep seeing references to "stock pieces", which leads me to believe that the factory sometimes sends whatever they have that's close. My first two systems, from the place I currently go to, came in blond when I am closest to ash4c in the fitting kit. They fit perfectly but the color was so far off that I honestly think they expected the tech to dye them. It happens. People send stuff back that doesn't work to their liking. Do they just throw these systems away? I seriously doubt it. They probably become "stock pieces" and are resold to whomever will accept them. If your resolve is weak or you are easily intimidated, you become that person and end up unhappy.
Someone else mentioned getting units at a faster rate than you need them. This is a great idea, as you should not expect to be satisfied with every unit you get. I think total satisfaction every time is probably unheard of in this industry given the nature of the cheap labor that is used to manufacture these things overseas.
Hi Mr_Anonymous,
Stock pieces are actually available in two different base designs only. These stocks are meant for emergencies only and are not meant to be exactly what each and every client wants in a hair piece.
We also have what are called library units. These are the units that clients have sent back for whatever reason, and are at times made available to clients that are in emergency situations. Again, they are not exactly what a custom system would be but, can sometimes hold them over till a new unit is ordered.
At any rate, please understand that unless a client requests specifically to receive a "stock" or "library" unit to be sent to them, their hair will be custom ordered.
I just wanted to clarify the term "stock" and "library" units for eveyone.
HD Hair Tech
Yes, it was a problem on my 'sale' unit as well. It is back with HD now to fix. The front is/was very thick and the knots not bleached out like was requested several times. I tried to bleach an old unit but it didn't work for me, frankly though I don't feel I should even have to do that anyway when it is requested.
Anyway, it does look like a trend but I am sure the great team in PA are on it.
Mary:
Thanks for the clarification. I am about to send my first order in, so it is good to know that "custom" means just that. It does make sense to use the returns for emergency situations.
Mr. A
Hi again Guys
I agree with the earlier comments about having several hair systems which do fit right (preferably 3) so if things go wrong you always have a back up.
I have a question for HD - is it really that difficult to improve on the quality control. I'm convinced that the quality control at the factory end is inadequate to say the least and this is where things need to be right not once the hair system arrives in the USA where the quality control is much better. I think quality control at the factory end is essential. Is this due to keeping the costs down i.e. employing less people to check the quality of the units as they're made? If so, I think that's a false economy as the hair systems have to come back for modification or remake. It makes a lot more sense to get it right first time.
Secondly, I agree with Clint's comments, albeit it rather blunt, about the shedding of hair. I've experienced this on 2 of my last units which got too bald after only 30 days and I know have to send them back. I guess I should have used knot sealer which might have slowed down the shedding a little. I just hope they go easy on the putting new hair in as I've often found the factory go over the top with putting new hair in on a repair.
I've also found the front hairline has occasionally been knotted terribly + too thickly which has made a natural style impossible to achieve.
Achieving good results with hair systems is a bit of a fine art and I think the only way to avoid mishaps is having several systems on the go so you can send back the rogue ones to HD.
I have to agree with the majority of the statements. All of my units shed a ton of hair and I have to get creative with styling after week 4 because of the very large and very noticeable bald spots. This may sound funny but I've had to snake the shower drains twice in the past 6-months due to hair clogs. I think I do all the right things to keep the hair in the system - TDI knot sealer after every de/re, use a wide tooth comb to brush, leave-conditioner twice a day but nothing works.
Double knots - yep, here too. Same with unbleached knots. I have a tough time styling the hair to look natural because of how the hairs are tied in. It will only lay a certain way no matter how much product I use.
I've actually had a moment where I started considering going back to my old stylist/old system because this isn't working out like I had hoped/read about on site.
Hi everyone
Thanks for the honest feed back! We do apologize for the inconsistancies you have been experiencing. Unfortunately since these are hand made there will always be inconsistancies, most notably with density. We do request the factory have final QC on the orders for many reasons. One main reason is that when a problem is found with an order it is fixed right away before shipping to HD. This cuts down on transit time. Obviously not all problems are caught before shipping.
In the past that we did do all final QC here at HD and found that it did not help in most cases unless it was a glaring error from the order specs. Sometimes even those were missed. We are dealing with something that is more of an art than science so there can be errors when a finished piece is compared to specs during QC. I myself viewed one of the orders mentioned in this string and found it to be okay according to specs, but the client did not.It is relative sometimes to the one looking at the piece and what they have in mind as to the finished product.
We've also discussed the problem that not all knots might bleach out due to the ash base used in the coloring to help with oxidation. When the knots are then bleached to lighten to invisibility the hair will break off prematurely. Some of the knots will never lighten. In general, lace bases will lose hair quicker than others whether or not the knots are bleached. We are working on a few things to help with this problem but at this time do not have an "end all be all" solution.
There will also be more than 1 hair per knot on occasion mainly because of the base material and density requested. In order to get more desnity on some of the laces, more than one hair will be tied in the knot. There is not enough material to tie all of the hair requested using 1 hair per knot. Considering that the ventilator is trying to pick up 1 hair at a time there will also be times when more than 1 hair will be picked up and knotted. Depending on some styles, certain knots will be used that might appear to be more than 1 hair. Always keep in mind these are hand made from start to finish.
We are glad to hear that some of you do realize the importance of having at least one back up. Believe me we would like every order be exactly what you expect it to be when you receive it! As it is we do have a lower remake rate considering the nature of what we do. If any of you have not addressed your problems with a technician please do so...especially you SOP clients before your next order is placed. We need to give the factory specifics regarding problems. This will ultimately help with QC.
Thanks to all of you for your continued ordering despite some the bump in the road with the process. I will be moving this string to the HD Feedback area of the community.
Melissa McConnell HD Customer Service Manager melissa@hairdirect.com
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your honesty. It's always well appreciated when the techs don't make excuses. However, I don't believe the inconsistancies are just a result of being hand made. On my pieces, the difference in density from piece to piece is not even close ... not even close to close. It's way off! Plus, how does the contour of the hairline automatically get changed after years of receiving the correct front contour? I had one order where one piece had the correct front contour and the 2nd piece in the same order was wrong. Unfortunately, it's the customer who suffers most. We wait for the repair, or we are sometimes stuck using a piece that isn't right because time doesn't allow us to send it back. I've worn 6 months worth of "fixed" pieces. I always have a back up piece, but when a customer goes 6 months and none of the pieces are right, the back up pieces have to come from 9 months ago.
Based on the number of complaints in the forum, it is apparant that the factory just doesn't really have any QC standards, the standards have changed or they no longer look at certain specs when they look over a finished piece. "Thin" or "thick" is a relative term, but a good QC person needs to be somewhat consistant. I guess I am concerned how for almost 4 or so years my pieces were all very close in density and contour. Now, they somehow have changed. I just received a shipping notice, so I really hope that the pieces in route are at least close to what they should be. This time if they are wrong, I will refuse to have the front hi def cut off to get the correct contour. Or, I will refuse to have the density thinned out leaving stubble in the lace base. It's happened way too often and unless the factory is ordered to remake a complete unity and eat the cost, they will continue to make the same errors. Sometimes hitting their bottom line profit margin is the best lesson.
Hey Joebell & everyone
Of course we do want you to be satisfied with each and every order and because of this we do remake, repair, tweak in house...whatever we can to get you something you are happy with as quick as possible when things go wrong with an order.
I have emailed our factory rep about this string for her push them about the problems. Please understand even with QC on each order that the person(s) checking are looking at so many different details as far as specs from order to order that some things will be missed. The same specs ordered with 2 different base designs will in some cases appear to be 2 different orders all around to most people looking at them.
I'd just like everyone to understand the reason QC seems not being done by some of you. Obvious errors can and will be missed on occasion. Whether or not we check each and every order before it ships from our offices at HD will not prevent this from happening because it did happened when the hair techs checked the shipments and final QC was done here.
The shape should be accurate, I do agree there, and have asked our rep to check into this to see what could possibly be going wrong repeatedly with your orders. It is definitely a problem during the finishing of the order when the lace is cut at the final stage. Rest assured we're trying to get this corrected for you!
Melissa
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