Sticker Shock

Yesterday, I was reminded that just because the crowds diminish after Labor Day doesn't mean the prices do.

After two weeks out here, my nails were more chip than polish and I needed to find a salon pronto. The Endz, which gets points for its clever play on the town's ubiquitous nickname, is within walking distance of our house, so it seemed like a good bet, that is, until I opened the door and was nearly bowled over by the smell of permanent wave solution that I thought salons had stopped using in the 70's. As it turned out, it was not the only surprise I got as I sat down in the seat offered me and extended my hands.

"How much is a manicure, by the way?" I asked as an afterthought, since I'd already passed the point of no return.

"Twenty-two dollars."

I thought possibly some clarification was needed. "Just a regular manicure," I smiled.

"Twenty-two dollars."

Having grown up in the Hamptons and spent every summer of my adult life here, I am no stranger to sticker shock. I pay $40 a pound for lobster salad without blinking an eye. However, since I've been paying $8 for a manicure in Huntington for pretty much ever, I admit I was a bit taken aback. Wow, I said, telling the manicurist what I was accustomed to paying UpIsland. "Yes," she said, stating the obvious, "everything costs more here."

I'll say. A polish change, which cost $5 in Huntington, is $12 at The Endz, more than I had been paying for the whole megillah, which included a hand massage and back rub!

I succumbed, of course, but when I got home, I did some research to see what my options were. It turns out that a manicure at Pamela's is a relative bargain at $20.

And then there's Gurney's, whose spa was offering a sweet deal - $60 - on a mani/pedi that costs approximately $25 in Huntington. It's normally $85. If you only want mani, Gurney's charges $30 for its oceanview manicure, which may explain the steep price since, as everyone knows, anything that comes with a view of the ocean costs more. The manicurist at The Endz had shared that Gurney's has a 50% off special on Wednesdays, but it took some probing before the woman I spoke to shared that that price was only for "locals" and she wasn't at all certain that I'd qualify, although she was a bit vague on the criteria when I tried to pin her down. "But I own a home here," I said somewhat plaintively. Still, she couldn't say for sure, but, for the rock bottom price of fifteen dollars, next time I need a manicure, I'll take my chances. I'm bringing my tax bill. And my 8th grade diploma from Montauk Public School.