Barry Hendrickson’s Bitz-N-Pieces

Wannabe high end spot LOL
Pretends to be full service for all wig needs from stars to cancer patients
Last appointment at 4 when they close at 6… One appointment is 20mn… How does this make sense???
Obvious Lack of flexibility
Pompous display of so-​said service that does not translate into value.
Should choose its camp… pretentious or customer-​oriented?

I never write reviews but after my experience at Bitz & Pieces I feel it my duty to inform other cancer patients before they select this salon.
On March 18, 2015, I finished 18 weeks of chemotherapy for Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer. I was elated.
On March 19^th I phoned Bitz & Pieces where I had my human hair wig made to wear during treatment. Athena, the manager answered the phone in a very flustered tone of voice. She asked if she could phone me back in 10 minutes and told me she was having «staffing issues», and generally not a great day. To this point in time, she had been nothing but courteous and helpful to me. More like 20 minutes passed without a call back and I needed to leave for an appointment so I phoned back. I told Athena I wanted to bring my piece in to have it washed and styled and also to have it examined as I had recently noticed that the hair was falling out and you could see through to the netting. She told me to come by and they would take care of everything.
I arrived at the shop and buzzed for entry, it took numerous trys for the door to get opened and when I opened the door, Athena was walking toward the reception desk with and EXTREMELY annoyed look on her face, huffing and puffing in dismay. She immediately spoke to me in a sharp tone, looking impatient before I had an opportunity to speak. I went to the restroom to take off my wig, came out and she called over the technician to look at the wig.
I have fortunately until this point in time, never had cancer, never had chemotheapy and never lost my hair and had to wear a wig so EVERYTHING in this process and journey was new and unfamiliar to me. I came to Bitz & Pieces for expertise, guidance, quality and superior work, support, and ongoing help during my treatment. On March 19^th, Athena and her technician literally shattered my beautiful day and left me in tears by their unproffesional, callous and rude behavior towards me.
I explained that I was confused as to why the wig was falling apart since i had rarely styled it beyond an occasional brushing with my fingers. It was more confusion than complaint, having paid $ 1800 for the piece I was confident that Bitz & Pieces would stand behind their work and take care of my problem.
The technician told me my piece looked 5 years old and that it needed to be rewoven. I agreed. She then explained that it would cost $ 450 to do so and I should «just go get a synthetic piece» to wear until my hair grew back for 2 – 3 months. I was shocked that she would make such a suggestion since I was very clear that I would be wearing the piece over the next months while my own hair started to grow. Just because I am bald does not mean I have lost my sense of style, it was extremely disturbing that the staff would brush off my needs as a client. At this point it went from bad to worse.
I explained I was unaware of the questions to ask on hair care, etc, and that I was in a vulnerable condition, focused on my health and had come to the salon for the high quality of service, to which Athena screamed at me, «All our clients are vulnerable».
I eventually left the salon and called the next day to speak with Barry, the owner. Athena screamed at me that she did not have his personal mobile number & did not know his whereabouts. I merely asked if she could get him a message, she then hung up on me!
I phoned back, shocked that Athena hung up on me. She told me that Barry said it was ok to hang up on clients. INSANE!
Barry did call, he did agree that when clients had «chemo brain» he told his staff. Again, I was shocked, «chemo brain», I have no idea what that even is. I was simply asking for the service I was promised.
I complained about the technician, Barry said, «we don’t pay attention to her, she’s on meds, but does good work». Again, insane!
Barry agree to fix my wig at a reduced price, I was so upset by all these truncations I wrote a review on Unilocal,Barry phoned and said «we have a problem». I can’t have that review online, you’re going to get your wig & be happy, so i should be happy to”, take down the review.
Since the salon had my wig, I was forced to remove the review fearing that they would ruin my pierce or not give it back.
Now that my hair is growing back, I felt it vital to share my experience so no one else should suffer as I did.
In addition, when i first got the wig, it looked NOTHING like my haircut or color and had to have it redone.

Our initial experience with Edward was excellent; he is a talent and darling. Athena, the manager, is a nightmare. As phony as the day is long, with a bizarrely haughty and hostile attitude that is a complete turn-​off. Just as she finished telling me that I needed to call until I reached the owner, whose hours were unpredictable, because, «he’s da owna,» an innocent-​looking young woman walked in, and this same Athena smiled sweetly and offered her a cappuccino. I explained that we needed to buy another piece, since my mother had ruined hers, and this too was impossible. She didn’t feel «comftubul» selling it to me, given my attitude. I tried explaining about customers and sales staff and how that relationship worked but wow, but none of this applied to Athena who is the «managa,» and therefore not a salesperson. Barry Hendrickson can do better.

I was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer and began my search for a wig…
I ended up buying a wig a couple of weeks ago at this establishment, and I feel a responsibility of writing a review.
«Maggie» was my saleswoman. Since our first appointment, she was very rude. I decided not to let her «get to me» and ignored her comments and attitude. She made me feel that I had no reason NOT to buy the 2,500 wig right away– as if I were purchasing 15 dollar shoes! I returned twice, once with my mother and the other with two friends. That third time, she made a comment such as «this is the third time you come around, and I don’t have time for this.» My friends could not believe what they were hearing! I told them, that I was not going to allow Maggie to get to me. When I told her I would buy the wig (a 600 dls synthetic one), I asked her if she could help me cut it into a nice hairstyle. When I asked her how she would do this (meaning, the haircut) she mocked me and rudely said, «with scissors!!»
In retrospect, I should not have bought anything from this establishment, or should have insisted that SHE not get any commission from my purchase… I should have left the store, but I didn’t… I bought my wig and I didn’t even see her at the end. she was with another customer.
I felt soooooo MISTREATED. From reading other customers reviews, I can see that this has been going on for a long time.
My Doctor at Sloan Memorial Kettering was the one who recommended going to Bitz-​n-​Pieces… I will definitely make sure they know that this is a very insensitive establishment who only care about the sale and not about the people. There are so many other options in NYC– If you feel vulnerable, stay away from this place. If you have CANCER please do not go here. they will step on you and disregard your emotions and what you are going through.

My husband and I came to NY via a bus from another state. We did not have an apt., but went upstairs to the salon to take a look, and then ask if someone could help us with a wig for me. They were all very rude, and told me that they did have some available time, but I had not made an apt. My husband asked why they would turn down business. We came a far way, and did not know about their «rules». I did end up getting 2 wigs, but they were all very snobby including the owner. I felt very intimidated by everyone there.

If you are a cancer patient, avoid this salon unless you have the thick skin of an elephant. Once you buy your wigs you will be treated like a nobody and reminded that «we treat many cancer patients» if you ask any questions about your wig. The front desk is flat out rude, dismissive and hurtful. Once I was hospitalized due to serious complications and when my worried sister called to cancel before the appointment they scolded her for the short notice and were utterly unsympathetic. I made an appointment to style my wig for a big event another time, it was meaningful to me to not feel insecure. When I arrived for my pampering, exhausted from chemo, the salon was closed due to snow. They had never called me to tell me not to come and never did after the fact. I had to go to my event not looking well. When I called to mention it and also make an appointment to complete styling on another wig, I was told by the receptionist A– that she «had no obligation to call me anyway» cause it was snowing and she lives uptown. No perfunctory apology or concern just insistence she had left a message «somewhere.» I was shocked because I was so nice to this person. When I asked about how to defrizz the human hair wig she told me to «look at the sheet» which I explained didn’t specify if it was addressing synthetic or real hair and didn’t suggest conditioners. «I don’t have time for this, I have three other people holding and I’m not a stylist, «she said. Whatever I said was met with audible Ugghs and loud sighs. It really was so upsetting. I had simple questions about the hair not big celeb style demands. This is not how one expects to be treated anywhere after spending 5,000 dollars at a salon. To date I have not heard from my stylist, Edward who was really very nice or the owner despite the fact that my husband called and was met with the same rudeness (he was told «you don’t pay my salary» by the same receptionist) so defended me and asked to speak to the owner. Spare yourself the heartache. There are many other wig places with kind staff all around who offer great wigs and followup to match. Google the New York magazine list for top wig salons.

I bought a fashion piece there yesterday to add some «umph» to my ponytail. My stylist was Edward; he was wonderful. Gave me lots of options to choose from. I’m thrilled with the piece that I got!
I bought real hair — again, just a small piece to add to my ponytail. Cost $ 250.
It matched my hair almost perfectly, but since I got real hair, will bring to my colorist for some fine tuning.
The place is expensive but I had a great experience and will likely go back for another fashion piece.

I started chemo this month so I made an appointment to come in for a wig fitting. I had a great experience. Maggie was patient, helpful, and listened to our feedback on each wig to bring new options. She spent a lot of time with us and was so sweet and friendly, even telling us about wig-​making and about RuPaul’s wigs. She let us see a couple of wigs that were more for fun than anything else and even let my friend try one on. It was a great experience, and I highly recommend them to anyone in need of a wig for any reason. If you are going through chemo they are able to give you a receipt for your insurance if you have a prescription and I believe they specialize in helping women who have lost hair due to chemotherapy, they even have a booklet about it that they hand out. I look forward to heading back soon once my hair has completely fallen out to get my wig refitted and styled.

Mom had an appointment with JT («Just Terrific») last week. He helped fit her for a beautiful short blonde wig to help her during her chemotherapy treatment. It looks absolutely stunning and she didn’t even have its styled yet (its still in the bag, he’s supposed to spruce it up or as he joked «butch it up» next week) He was compassionate and funny as they joked about botox amongst other things. More importantly, he made her feel like having cancer wasn’t the end of the world and that there are better days to come. A wig well worth it.