Richard Farrell Responds to "Hair Systems 101"

I have little empathy for the anonymous authors. It is difficult for me to believe that such "victims" really exist. They complain about Hair Club for Men and Apollo Hair Systems for reasons discussed later in this response but refuse to take any responsibility for their apparent poor consumer skills. They argue that they were somehow led like sheep into wearing a hair system. That just doesn't happen in this business anymore. I'll bet that if Hair Club for Men and Apollo Hair Systems told their version of what happened with these disgruntled customers we would hear an entirely different story.

Wigs Systems 101 was last updated two years ago. If it actually was a group effort complied by people from a newsgroup as it claims, then that whole newsgroup is living in the Dark Ages. The authors want "newbies" to consider the authors as experts in the field of nonsurgical Hair Replacement based on an antiquated piece of misinformation of which nearly nothing is relevant today. Yet these so-called experts aren't aware and don't mention any state-of-the-art-techniques or products occurring today. I am an expert. This is my art form and I have thousands of perfectly happy clients under my belt. The authors of Wigs Systems 101 are not experts on anything but disseminating incorrect and outdated information on an industry they clearly know nothing about.

I'm confused as to why people are giving this posted document the attention they are. It seems to be one big complaint leveled against Hair Club for Men and Apollo Hair Systems by some dissatisfied customers who also make false indictments about the entire Hair Replacement industry. If I were a judge, sitting in a court of law, I might be tempted to order that Hair Club for Men (HCM) or Apollo Hair Systems give these clients half of their investment back. So far, however, I have only heard from the anonymous authors. I would sternly lecture the clients on their apparent lack of consumer skills during every step of the process.

I know HCM and Apollo Hair Systems have warranty agreements and refund policies that protect them from these types of people who, intent on revenge, simply compiled every negative thing they could find in order to write Wigs Systems 101. Why didn't they take those companies to court in order to get their money back? Is this the only way they could "make it right?" Why are they using false e-mail addresses and names to cover themselves against a liability lawsuit? If they were relating facts instead of fiction, they wouldn't need to be so cloak and dagger. This much is clear.

Before I comment on the document "Wigs/Systems 101", I want to make it clear to readers why I am not a part of the gigantic hairpiece industry. Most in the industry simply buy $75 (or less) factory made hairpieces and they try to get as much money as they can from a client. Think about that for a moment. Then all they do is cut the hairpiece in to a style and charge you anywhere from $1500 to $3500. In my view that is one expensive hairpiece haircut. Most of the factory pieces that they put on your head fall apart so easily that they furnish you with two or even three hairpieces a year. So what! That only means you wait for the next one to come from the factory and you hope it will work better and look better than the last one. Good luck! I feel fortunate to be able to make these statements knowing that I have established credibility in this industry. I can make these assertions and sign my name to it. I will go head to head in court with any company that thinks I am in anyway stretching the truth.

Let me give you a glimpse as to how I am different from the companies you are all familiar with: I have never ordered a factory-made system in my life. From the very beginning of my career, I have designed and made all of my own systems for my clients.

I pay my American workers an average of $15 per hour to make our systems. Do the math. An average worker spends two weeks tying the knots. My cost of the ventilating alone is around $1200. I still need to make the base, buy all of the materials, Eurosilk, condition and draw the hair. There are some other things I do that are too difficult to explain to a non-artistic industry and consumer. Let me just say there are many other steps towards completing an "ultra-custom" Hair Replacement System.

You'll never see me in a suit behind a desk because I actually work on most of the systems myself. I supervise and triple-check the progress on each and every system. Then there is entire fine-tuning process where we incorporate many proprietary elements that make the system look like the hair is growing right out of the client's skin.

My costs are high, it's true, but the end result is that our clients look incredibly good and we hardly ever lose a client. Who else is going to put that sort of effort into an ultra-custom system like we do? The answer is: Nobody. Only Farrell Hair Replacement offers ultra-custom systems that replace your hair on your head exactly as it was before you lost it.

I will acknowledge that I had a factory in Mexico, just across the border. I had hoped to cut my costs slightly and pass the savings on to my clients. The only way those systems turned out perfect, however, was for me to relocate there and be involved with every step of the process, much like I am now. While living down there I lost control of my salon in Los Angeles. I then closed the factory and regained control of my Los Angeles location. My costs did go down slightly because of the operation in Mexico. Now I am working on a way to have a few of the basic processes completed down there while the really important and artistic things are done here in Los Angeles.

I am not in this to get wealthy. I'm not even close to wealthy. Rather, this is my craft or, better yet, it's my art form much like a violin maker I give people the most amount of art for the least amount of money. That is what Ultra-Custom hair replacement is all about. As far as I know, I am the only person in the world producing this high of a level of ultra-custom hair replacement techniques.

Now, it is probably true that the authors of Wigs Systems 101 have had some bad experiences with Apollo Hair Systems or Hair Club for Men or other hair replacement companies. None of this is news to me. Many nervous consultation clients walk into my Los Angeles location and relate similar horror stories to what the authors have written about. I already understand why they come in uptight, angry and frustrated. After I consult with them they calm down because they actually start to see and understand the difference between me and the rest of the industry.

Experienced Hair Replacement wearers who have been through all the disappointments and betrayals the Hair Replacement industry puts them through are the most appreciative of what I do. They are ecstatic that they finally found me because I deliver what I promise. Everyone leaves saying the same thing. "Wow! I knew it would look great, but this is even better than I expected!" Sure, the authors of Wigs Systems 101 will say to themselves, "Richard Farrell is conning me like everyone else has!" Well, get away from your computer, come in and meet my staff and me. You will instantly know that I am not the kind of person who would even consider making a living out of making people look goofy. I never have and I never will.

I have been a guest on more television and radio shows than anyone in our industry for one reason: Because word has spread that I offer something the others in the industry do not, and that is total undetectability. I simply replace a client's hair to exactly how it was before he or she lost their hair. Other companies get on TV by buying running infomercials telling and showing you only what they want you to know and see. I get on television and allow hosts to scrutinize my work and me. I relinquish this control because I have nothing to hide and everything to share! Ever since my appearances at the American Hair Loss Council shows, most companies have been trying to copy my systems. They always fail because nobody can duplicate my systems in any factory.

At one time I joined the American Hair Loss Council (AHLC) because I thought I needed to know and meet the Hair Replacement industry people- the big boys, the owners of chain salons, the factory owners and the independent salon owners of the industry. After two years I decided I didn't like any of them and they certainly didn't like me. Doing business my way was only going to cost them incredible amounts of time, energy and money. Plus, where would they get the skilled labor I have? They are happy being wealthy salesmen. My employees are second and third generation hair system-makers who I have taught and challenged to push the boundaries they were use to working within.

I never met one artist while acquainting myself with the industry and the AHLC. The whole industry is a close-knit "good ol' boy" network of salesmen. I had closely examined all of the AHLC trade show literature and brochures and I never even once saw the words "art," or "artistic" or "artistry." Well, too bad for them. Now I am out there and now I am known and people can see the difference. If I may be presumptuous, I'll repeat: Hair replacement is art. My suggestion to the industry is this: If you are in the business and you don't have an artist's mentality, I suggest you open up a wig shop instead. At least you are being more honest.

The authors of Wigs Systems 101 must realize that several of the same factories in Asia and the Philippines make most hairpieces sold today. No real effort is made towards producing a great hair system. The salons that sell these cheap factory systems do so usually by employing used car salesmen types. We all know how to get past salespersons, so as a potential customer the goal is simply to get a perfect hair system and not look at the fluff. Let's face it, you can only expect mediocrity at best from a company that orders hairpieces from factories.

The factory owners compete with each other in what amounts to a price war. Whoever is the cheapest wins. To the untrained eye the quality of the hairpieces almost look bearable. They are cheaply made hairpieces that will quickly fall apart. Then these salons sell them to you for as much as they can get from you. If they hook you, it's entirely your fault. You could have talked to their customers inside and outside of the building. You could have asked more intelligent questions or you could have researched the web for yourself to see who is the best. Your search would bring you to me.

I will respond to Wigs Hair Systems 101 point by point, leaving the original text in green capital letters and including my response directly underneath:

WIGS/SYSTEMS/RUGS WORN BY ACTORS IN THE MOVIES AND ON TV ARE DELICATE, "LACE FRONT" HAIRPIECES THAT DON'T LAST VERY LONG AND REQUIRE A VIRTUAL ARMY OF STYLISTS TO KEEP THEM LOOKING GOOD. EVEN THEN, THEY CAN STILL LOOK RATTY AND BE SPOTTED A MILLION MILES AWAY (PAUL REISER, WILLIAM SHATNER, BURT REYNOLDS, SEAN CONNERY IN HIS HAIR MOVIES LIKE "THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER" TO NAME A FEW).

Some hairpieces worn by actors are delicate and some are not. Ronald Mc Donald's wig will last him 20 years. The wig of the Wicked Witch of the North will probably last just as long. Actually, I am joking here because of the absurdity of the comment. Excuse me. I will try to take this more seriously. I have much expertise in this matter as I learned my craft after spending years working in the movie industry.

First, try to remember that "set systems" are made to enable an actor to change character. Hair enables one to change character many times on a daily basis. Think about how you look in bed, after the shower, after the gym, and then again in your Brooks Brother's suit. How about kicking back with your woman and then maybe jumping back in bed again. Those are several situations, characters or moods you should be able to project everyday. What's the matter? You can't? Then you don't know of me, or you are wearing a cheap factory-made rug (your responsibility), or you are bald and you can't project a different character or mood.

Come on, give Sean Connery a break! He wears hair for different roles. He doesn't wear hair on a daily basis. Some of my clients are the same way. Public opinion was that he looked great in "Hunt for Red October". He looked even better in "Medicine Man". But the authors of Wigs Systems 101 slam him only because he is one of a few they know who wears hair systems. There is no reason to comment on Paul Reiser. He looks great whether it's real or not. If he were wearing one of my systems, he would look even better. Period. Would you rather see him bald?

Burt's choices of hair in the past were somewhat lame but everyone agrees he looks great at the moment. Of course, remember this: Wigs Misinformation 101 is about two years old now. Nobody should be posting such outdated garbage and even less people should be taking it seriously.

I find it humorous that the authors only comment on people the public already knows wear hair. You so-called "experts" didn't mentioned even one of my actor clients who wear my hair systems Come on, I thought you could spot hair systems a million miles away! I challenge you to post a list of five more people that you know wear systems. I'm talking about actors that the public are not aware of. You claim that you have the gift to bust people from a million miles away? Go ahead. Take my challenge! After all, I am only asking for five. If you have the guts I'll sit you across from five of my customers for a three-hour business lunch. Their hairlines will be exposed and I'll give you a thousand dollars if you can pick the one who is wearing a system. Every wrong guess, you give me a thousand. You can do it. You are experts remember?

Nobody on my actor-clients' sets knows they wear a system- not even the makeup persons or the hairstylist. But of course the authors will know from a million miles away. There isn't an army of stylists making their systems look good either. The authors of Wigs Misinformation 101 don't know the state-of-the-art of nonsurgical Hair Replacement and have probably never set foot on a TV or movie set. I wonder what made them feel they had the expertise to write this trash?

MY POINT IS THAT THE AVERAGE JOE ON THE STREET CAN'T AFFORD THESE TYPES OF PIECES ON A REGULAR BASIS-- AND IF HE COULD, HE PROBABLY COULDN'T GET THEM TO LOOK NICE WITHOUT A LOT OF HELP.

I am located in West Hollywood in Los Angeles so I have and have had my share of movie and television actors. They are a minor part of my business and most are young ordinary guys. Most of them are broke and working second jobs. So, I have to say that the majority of my clientele is comprised of "Average Joe's" who need no help in looking great every day. The authors of Wigs Misinformation 101 are wrong again.

ALSO, SINCE MOST OF "THOSE" TYPES OF WIGS SYSTEMS ARE SHOWN ON EITHER TV OR IN THE MOVIES IT IS NOT A REALISTIC SETTING. IN THE REAL WORLD AND OFF THE CAMERA AND WITHOUT THE MANIPULATION OF THE FILM CREW IT WOULD NOT LOOK ALL THAT REALISTIC.

The authors need more help here. Hair Systems made for movies are usually for the character, not for the actor to wear in real life. That doesn't mean an actor can't wear their "set system" on the streets, it's probably just not the style they want in real life.

My actor clients look perfect at all times or they are here in my salon until I fix a situation. Guess what, though? I don't have to send their system back to an overseas factory. I simply modify or fine-tune it to their particular preferences while they wait. Because I make everything myself I am different than the rest of the industry. The industry chooses to not conduct business in this manner. It is too difficult and labor intensive and, most of all, unprofitable. I believe that it is the only way to conduct business.

A DISTINCTION MUST BE MADE BETWEEN A PERSON WEARING AN "OFF THE SHELF" RUG THAT'S SERVICED MAYBE ONCE A MONTH AND WORN EVERY DAY AND A "HOLLYWOOD TYPE" WEARING AN EXPENSIVE PIECE ONCE OR TWICE AND SERVICED BY AN ARMY.

There is no reason to make such a distinction. Any system can be worn in any manner. We have our own attachment methods that allow independence from monthly visits to our salon. Our systems can be worn for a day or for a few weeks or even longer. There is no army taking care of the Hollywood types.

Actors normally won't let an army of stylists work on them. Even if they wear a bad rug they actually want you to believe their bad rugs are their own hair. If you suggest otherwise you are off the set or worse. For instance, once a new client, a producer, came to me and during his consultation he stressed to me how undetectable he needed his system to be. "No one can ever know that I am wearing a system," he said to me. Yet the system he walked in with was terrible.

It was the normal factory made hair system that most companies sell as their best. He told me a story of how after a business lunch he was being driven on the freeway in a convertible Mercedes with the top down by a scriptwriter who was pitching his script to this particular producer. As they were stopped at the freeway off ramp he said, "I hope the wind didn't mess up your hairpiece." To that, this producer said "No problem". I said to the producer: "You must have been traumatized by being busted by this guy." He replied to me, "No. He'll never work again in this town."

So you see, the authors know nothing of movie sets or how so-called "Hollywood types" closely guard their secret. They won't allow armies of wig makers helping them to look good unless it is for a character role where they need a wig.

If the film industry wants to make a good hair system, it could be made by some set hairdressers or makeup artists. The original ones that Max Factor made were very good. My systems are light years better than anything that anyone else can make at this time. I learned the film industry techniques from a studio hairpiece maker in the beginning of my career and I was determined to make them better and even more believable. This resulted in my ultra-custom systems being completely undetectable.

SO, NOW WE HAVE THE ABOVE MENTIONED AVERAGE JOE WEARING A TYPICAL RUG. IF IT'S HUMAN HAIR, IT'S GOING TO SHED. THAT MEANS MORE HAIR WILL HAVE TO BE ADDED. ALSO, IT'S GOING TO FADE. THAT MEANS IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE COLORED. THINGS LIKE SWIMMING, SKIING, RUNNING, AND BEING OUT IN THE SUN, ETC. ALL JUST ACCELERATE THESE PROBLEMS. (BY THE WAY, EVERY WIG/SYSTEM WEARER KNOWS THAT DOING ANYTHING LIKE THE ABOVE MENTIONED ACTIVITIES IS JUST A DREAM) AFTER A UNIT HAS BEEN COLORED, IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO GET A GOOD COLOR MATCH. YOU ALSO TEND TO END UP EITHER WITH A RED OR GREENISH TINT. THESE PROBLEMS WILL STILL OCCUR REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE OF BASE YOU HAVE FOR YOUR "WIG SYSTEM".

Let's get real. Everybody's hair will fade, especially hair on a system that isn't growing and replacing itself. Hair loss will also happen. Take one of your hairs and see how easy it is to break and you'll also see why most hair systems need occasional maintenance. This is no secret.

There is no reason to stop swimming, running and going out in the sun like the authors imply. My clients live fuller lives because they have hair. I have yet to see one of my clients "greenish." It will only happen to people who choose cheap hair systems from discount dealers or chains sold by undereducated and under-trained hair replacement technicians with more sales experience than artistic skills.

The authors of Wig Systems 101 chose to have cheap systems put on their heads. It's totally their responsibility for not doing their research. They chose to buy a bicycle and they are complaining that it's not a Rolls Royce or Viper. In this industry, you get what you pay for.

All of my customers are told that they will experience hair loss, color loss and other things. I don't use the coarse Indian or Asian hair that the factories use. As that hair is lightened to make colors other than black, the hair pulls red. In other words, the hair goes from black to brown, to reddish brown to red, to light red, to orange to reddish yellow and to pale yellow. If you lighten past pale yellow the hair is basically useless and weak. That explains why inexpensive Indian and Asian hair cannot work for the majority of my customers. The color is always reddish.

I get my hair from all over Europe and Russia and I am looking into other countries. If I need straight hair for a Chinese client, of course I'll use Asian hair.

DOES EVERYONE KNOW HOW A WIG SYSTEM RUG IS ATTACHED? REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE " WIG SYSTEM " IS CALLED, REGARDLESS OF WHAT BASE IT HAS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT TYPE OF HAIR IT USES (HUMAN OR SYNTHETIC), A RUG HAS TO BE ATTACHED TO YOUR SCALP IN SOME FASHION. THERE ARE FOUR WAYS: GLUE, CLIPS, TAPE, AND WEAVING.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, A "TRACK" IS SHAVED AROUND YOUR HEAD DOWN TO THE SKIN WHERE THE UNIT WILL BE ATTACHED. SUPER GLUE IS THEN SPREAD ALONG THE DONUT SHAPED BASE OF THE WIG/SYSTEM AND THEN PLACED ON YOUR SCALP. TAPE IS SOMETIMES USED AND IS APPLIED TO THE UNIT. THE UNIT IS THEN PASTED TO YOUR HEAD. WITH THIS OPTION, YOU CAN'T TAKE THE UNIT OFF UNTIL IT'S NEXT SERVICED, PERHAPS 3 OR 4 WEEKS. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE A GLUE/TAPE COMBO, WHERE THE SIDES ARE GLUED DOWN AND THE FRONT IS SECURED BY TAPE THAT'S CHANGED EVERY DAY. SOUNDS LIKE FUN, RIGHT? YOU GUESSED RIGHT IF YOU THINK THAT WOULD MAKE IT HARD FOR YOU TO CLEAN YOUR SCALP. AFTER A MONTH IT REALLY GETS UGLY UNDER THE SYSTEM. KIND OF SMELLY AND UGLY LOOKING. AFTER ALL YOU HAVEN'T BEEN CLEANING YOUR SCALP FOR A MONTH. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

Yes, some type of an adhesive is necessary to attach a hair system. Big deal. Was this supposed to be a secret? We only use the weave track for some of our women, very longhaired men and some hair integration systems. In general the weave track is an archaic method. No technique we have ever used has ever caused traction Alopecia as the authors have implied.

Many companies sell skin-like bases to their customers. They are made of polyurethane or vinyl. Some companies even claim the plastic breathes. Some even have the nerve also to say that their adhesives breathe. I only believe in making systems with extremely thin totally breathable mesh-type bases for my customers. In between the hairs we tie to the mesh are open areas which show the actual scalp. They breathe, are always clean and never smell. As far as an alleged "smell," maybe the authors never wanted to mess up their hair and never showered. No matter how bad their system from the past was, they could have bought some shampoo and used it. There is no reason to ever smell whether you wear hair or not.

Wait a minute. Something just occurred to me. Did the authors actually buy a complete polyurethane or vinyl base? In other words, was the base all-plastic? Even if you punched holes in the bottom of those units anyone would know systems like that are going to get filthy underneath. Is that what you authors purchased? You must have. Come to think of it you guys really never mentioned the particular base your systems had in your Wigs Misinformation 101. In fact, you experts never discussed the pros and cons of anything so my guess is that you did the most ridiculous thing possible.

As far as activities are concerned, I hang out with only the most active of my clients. My best friend and client John and I are ski mountaineers, which means we climb mountains and ski down them. I have scuba diver clients, kick boxers, you name it they do it without any of the negative consequences as the authors suggest.

CLIPS ARE PIECES OF METAL SEWN INTO THE SIDES OF YOUR HAIR AND THEN THE UNIT IS "CLIPPED" ON. AT LEAST WITH THIS ATTACHMENT METHOD YOU CAN TAKE THE DAMN THING OFF AT NIGHT. YOU REALLY CAN'T LET ANYBODY SEE YOU, HOWEVER, BECAUSE YOU STILL LOOK PRETTY FUNNY WITH A HALF SHAVEN HEAD AND THESE CLIPS SEWN INTO THE SIDES OF YOUR HAIR.

This barely needs to be addressed. Clips are not sewn to the sides of your head anymore. The authors must have gone to the far reaches of the planet to find one person who might still practice such an ancient technique. Maybe the authors meant snaps, or Velcro. Those attachments are just as embarrassing and any knowledgeable hair replacement specialist doesn't practice those techniques. My rule is to only use attachments that make sense. I'm more convinced than ever, after reading the authors' accusation above, that they know they are using ridiculous and dishonest examples and statements.

OH, WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH ALL THE FUN YOU CAN HAVE WEARING A WIG/SYSTEM. YOU CAN'T REALLY LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR HAIR. THE WIND IS STILL YOUR ENEMY. IF IT RAINS OR YOU SWEAT, THE UNIT CAN LOOK PRETTY RATTY, REAL QUICK ALONG WITH LOOKING REAL FAKE. HOW ABOUT THE STARES FROM STRANGERS IN PUBLIC PLACES? THEY ARE REALLY NOT BEING RUDE, BUT IT'S A NATURAL REACTION. THE EYES GO FROM YOUR FACE TO YOUR HAIRLINE AND BACK AGAIN. YEP, YOU'RE BUSTED.

These anonymous authors are either paranoid geeks or they just settled for the worst units possible. If that's the case, they deserved to be stared at. Sure that can happen, but not with any of my systems. My systems and especially my newest systems- the Ultra-Minimals - are so undetectable that it would take a surgeon to find what is real and what is the system. Wind is never a problem. Maybe diving off the Golden Gate bridge might loosen the front of the system. Do you think that is a successful attachment?

I'VE READ STORIES ABOUT GUYS WHO SAY THEY HAVE WORN A WIG SYSTEM FOR YEARS AND NEVER HEARD ONE REMARK. YEAH, NEVER HEARD ONE REMARK TO THEIR FACE. AROUND THE OFFICE OR OUT IN PUBLIC YOU'RE "THE GUY WITH THE RUG" (AND THAT'S A KINDER SENTIMENT). MANY MORE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO RIDICULE YOU BEHIND YOUR BACK OR WHEN YOU LEAVE THE OFFICE OR PLACE OF WORK. PERHAPS IN THE LUNCH OR BREAK ROOM IT MIGHT BE BROUGHT UP. OR EVEN IN THE MEN'S OR WOMEN'S ROOM. "HEY YOU KNOW THAT GUY, YOU KNOW THE ONE WITH THE WIG SYSTEM RUG". MANY WHO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU ARE WEARING A WIG MAY JUST SMILE OR GIGGLE AT YOU.

A very bad system can be spotted even by the untrained eyes of the authors of Wigs Systems 101. I don't know of anyone goofy enough to walk out of a salon wearing a system similar to what the authors suggest. What were they thinking? Simply don't buy bad systems. Stop buying from companies who don't make their own systems and who order from factories. My clients come from all over the world because I am rated the best in the world. Check out what Hairsite.com says about Farrell. "Farrell has been voted the finest Hair Replacement in the industry eight consecutive years. As of now, it is still hard to find a hair system that can rival the workmanship and artistry offered by Richard Farrell- the pioneer of Ultra-Custom Hair Replacement."

Undetectability is what it is all about. My clients never get detected because our systems are ultra-custom and we incorporate many proprietary, time-consuming elements which make the hair look as if it is growing right out of the scalp. Since the materials I use actually disappear on the scalp, they really are not detectable to both sight and touch.

NOW FOR THE DETAILS OF WHAT IS ENTAILED IN GETTING A WIG/SYSTEM AND THE COST OF SAID SYSTEM OR SYSTEMS. FIRST OF ALL YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE A SALESMAN AT HAIR CLUB FOR MEN OR APOLLO HAIR SYSTEMS OR WHEREVER ELSE THEY ARE ALL THE SAME. AT THE APPOINTMENT THE SALESMAN WILL USUALLY SHOW YOU A VIDEO OF THEIR SYSTEMS. THE GUYS ARE SWIMMING, HORSEBACK RIDING, AND DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A CONVERTIBLE WITH A FINE BABE ON THEIR ARM. HAIR CLUB FOR MEN AND THE LIKE ARE OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO SHOW THEIR SYSTEMS AS REAL LIFE AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN. UNFORTUNATELY, YOU CAN NOT DO ANY OF THIS IN REAL LIFE. WE WILL GET TO THAT LATER IN THIS "MANIFESTO."

Well, again the authors keep hammering away on one company while still making indictments about the entire industry. Granted most other companies use sales techniques with videos but who cares? I would never sit through a video presentation. I would insist on a real person to look at and to talk to.

I don't have salespersons at my clinic. I feel if one uses sales techniques to convince a person into buying a system then one will have to constantly sell them into liking it. We set the client in to a styling chair with the next available stylist or myself. We start designing after we show them what we can do.

The physical activities you say can certainly be done while wearing hair and they are all are done regularly by my clientele. Let me repeat… there isn't one activity that you can't do. Even full contact karate.

ALSO, IF YOU ASK HCM TO SEND/MAIL YOU MATERIAL ON THEIR WIG/SYSTEMS THEY WILL SEND/MAIL YOU OUT A BROCHURE. IN THIS BROCHURE YOU WILL SEE MEN SWIMMING, PLAYING SPORTS ETC. THE PICTURES OF THE MEN IN THEIR BROCHURE ARE TAKEN FROM SUCH ANGLES AS TO CONCEAL THE "FRONTAL HAIRLINE BASE PROBLEM". I SUSPECT THE PICTURES ARE DOCTORED AS WELL FOR GOOD MEASURE. HOW IS THAT ONE FOR MISLEADING?

HCM will show some acceptable hairlines in their advertisements so again the authors of Wigs Systems 101 are exaggerating every point they try to make. All of my models have always been photographed with their hair combed straight back from their hairlines. What better angle is there?

THE SALESMEN AT THESE COMPANIES ARE USUALLY TRAINED IN THE "PSYCHOLOGY OF HAIR LOSS". THEY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. THEY REALIZE THE FACT THAT MANY ARE IN A STATE OF PANIC REGARDING THEIR HAIR LOSS. MANY SALESMEN AT THESE COMPANIES WILL ALSO TRY TO 'SIZE YOU UP' PSYCHOLOGICALLY. THEY WILL OFTEN USE OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU.

My crew consists of second and third generation hairpiece makers who also have their cosmetology licenses. Salesmen they are not and neither am I. We show people what we have. They meet our actual clients in person. If you don't want to pay us what we deserve, which is in line with many of the discount chains, please travel on to the discount chains.

SUCH AS WHEN YOU GO INTO THE OFFICE AND THE SALESMAN IS THERE WITH ALL THESE PICTURES ON THE WALL OF HIM AT THE BEACH, BY THE POOL, DOING SPORTS, ETC. THIS IS JUST A CHEAP PSYCHOLOGICAL TACTIC. IT SAYS "BUY THE "SYSTEM", AND LOOK WHAT YOU CAN DO -- LOOK AT ALL THE FUN YOU CAN HAVE-- LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE MISSING..." MY SALES GUY EVEN HAD A GYM BAG WITH A BASKETBALL IN PLAIN SIGHT-- THIS WAS YET ANOTHER MESSAGE "I'M AN ACTIVE GUY-- I'M YOUNG, I'M FIT, AND ITS ALL BECAUSE I WEAR A WIG/SYSTEM..."

My photos, videos and my new infomercial all contain active clients. No photo touch ups have ever been done to any of them and my ads always state so underneath the photos. Yes. I try to show active clients because my clients are active. People like the authors need to see that you can live an active, normal life. I think the authors of Wigs/Systems 101 use their bad rug experience as an excuse to be couch-potato computer nerds who have no reason to get out, look good, go to clubs or join any active part of society.

HERE IS AN EXACT QUOTE FROM ANOTHER FORMER WIG SYSTEM CLIENT REGARDING OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL TRICKS: "ON MY FIRST CONSULTATION, I WASN'T CONVINCED (I WISH THE HELL I HAD STAYED THAT WAY). MY SALES GUY HAD A FOLDER WITH MY NAME ON THE TOP. HE MADE A BIG SHOW OF WRITING A LITTLE BLURB IN MY "FILE" "PROBABLY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT HIS HAIR LOSS..." HE SAID ALOUD AS HE WROTE IT. (THIS IS AFTER I TOLD HIM NO THANKS AFTER HIS PITCH). THIS REALLY PLAYED WITH MY MIND. I FELT THAT MY THIN HAIR WAS A CHARACTER FLAW, AND I HAD REJECTED A REASONABLE METHOD OF FIXING A BAD PROBLEM. VERY SMOOTH. YEARS LATER, WITH EXPERIENCE AND A COLLEGE EDUCATION, I CAN EASILY SEE THROUGH THE MARKETING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TACTICS."

Salesmen don't belong in my business. My staff has never had a sales meeting. We are artists that simply solve the hair loss problem. But buyers shouldn't be so weak that they can be sucked in by such nonsense. Do you buy every encyclopedia or vacuum cleaner from every salesman that comes around? To the authors, I recommend that you don't buy any swampland in Florida. If you do buy the swampland and realized you were duped, do everyone a favor and don't write manifestos about not buying those ugly worthless homes in Beverly Hills. After all, they are so bad that you can spot them a million miles away.

THE SALESMEN AT HAIR CLUB FOR MEN AND THE LIKE ARE USUALLY WEARING WIGS SYSTEMS THAT LOOK 100% NATURAL UP CLOSE. THE HAIR IS COMING OUT FROM THE SCALP. THEIR WIG SYSTEM IS SO REAL BECAUSE IT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SYSTEM THAN THE ONE YOU ARE GOING TO GET OR BE SOLD. THEIR WIG SYSTEM IS USUALLY MAINTAINED "DAILY" BY THE HCM SALON STAFF. THEY MUST LOOK AS NATURAL AND AS GOOD AS POSSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SELLING THE PRODUCTS.

If their hair looked that good then you could probably do it also. That is, unless you have two left feet for hands. Again, at Farrell Hair Replacement, we teach all of our clients to maintain their own system as best they can to save them money on maintenance visits.

WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS THAT WHEN YOU GO TO THE APPOINTMENT YOU WON'T EVEN NOTICE THIS FRONT HAIRLINE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE THERE FOR YOU TO NOTICE. YOU ARE NOW ASKING WHAT DO I MEAN BY FRONT HAIRLINE PROBLEM? OK, HERE IT IS. THE SYSTEMS YOU ARE SOLD ARE MORE RUGGED SINCE YOU WILL ONLY BE IN FOR MAINTENANCE ONCE A MONTH. THE FRONT HAIRLINE OR BASE OF YOUR WIG/SYSTEM WILL NOT LOOK LIKE THAT OF THE SALESMAN. YOUR WIG SYSTEM WILL NOT LOOK LIKE IT IS COMING/GROWING OUT FROM THE SCALP. THE HAIR OF YOUR WIG SYSTEM MUST BE STYLED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CONCEAL THE FRONTAL HAIRLINE OR BASE. NOW ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE?

All of the above is not at all accurate. If the authors ordered a heavy unit, then that's what they got. Didn't they ask any intelligent questions? Authors, when your system was delivered weren't you aware that it wasn't what you ordered? Are the authors sheep or men? Of course, factory made units are going to be thicker than what the customer might expect. Why did you walk out with the system?

I make my own systems and I can make them with whatever materials my client and I agree on. No client of mine will ever walk out with a system not made to his or her specifications. I find that the most minimal systems work the best. Everything bad about hair systems in general are things I want to eradicate. That is why I, Richard Farrell, have led the industry in developing new technologies to improve the state-of-the-art of Hair Replacement Systems.

HOW IS ALL THAT FOR MISLEADING? OK, NOW YOU ARE TAKEN TO A ROOM AND REYNOLDS PLASTIC WRAP IS PUT ON YOUR HEAD. THEN THE CLEAR SCOTCH TAPE IS APPLIED OVER THE REYNOLDS PLASTIC WRAP TO KIND OF MAKE A CAST OF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD. AT THIS POINT A MARKER IS USED TO OUTLINE THE BASE OF THE WIG/SYSTEM TO BE CONSTRUCTED. ALSO, A SMALL SAMPLE OF HAIR IS TAKEN FROM THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD.

There is nothing misleading about being taken in to a room to design a system by using the cellophane and markings. We use plaster in order to make an exact head shape of the client on which we make the system. It's actually fun and is nothing worth sniveling over. It is the start of the learning process that a new entrant into Hair Replacement usually appreciates. He/she ends up understanding exactly how their system is being built. Knowledge is good, so we involve our clients with every step of the process.

THIS IS SO THEY CAN MATCH THE COLORING WHEN YOUR WIG SYSTEM COMES IN FROM THE "MANUFACTURER". ALL THIS IS THEN SENT OUT SO IT CAN BE MANUFACTURED. YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT A MONTH FOR YOUR WIG SYSTEM TO COME IN. AT THAT TIME YOU ARE TOLD TO LET YOUR HAIR GROW AND PAYMENT MUST BE MADE IN FULL.

Yes, it takes about a month to produce the system. We are not in a race. It is simply a lot of work which must be tediously accomplished without any mistakes. We don't care if you let your hair grow. We replace the hair that is missing and we replace it with all of the tendencies your hair had. We then cut the system and blend it perfectly with your own hair.

Oh no! You were told to pay for your system when it was delivered to you? How insulting! Did you pick up your paycheck at the end of your last workweek? Then yes. Of course, if you don't mind, please pay us in full at the time you walk out with your system. After all, we did work a solid month and invested considerable costs and effort in order to make it the best system in the world.

WHEN YOU COME BACK TO HAIR CLUB FOR MEN FOR YOUR FIRST FITTING AND CUT YOU WILL TRY TO BE SOLD A SECOND SYSTEM. ALSO, YOU ARE TOLD THAT EVERY 3 THREE MONTHS THE SYSTEM HAS TO BE SENT OFF TO BE RECONDITIONED AND HAIR ADDED. SO YOU WILL NEED A SECOND WIG/SYSTEM TO WEAR IN THE MEANWHILE. BUT THIS IS OK; BECAUSE HCM AND THE LIKE WILL TRY TO HELP YOU OUT BY SELLING YOU THE SECOND WIG/SYSTEM AT A REDUCED RATE. USUALLY AT $700 TO $800 DOLLARS. YOU ARE ALSO ASKED TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT/CONTRACT SAYING YOU ARE SATISFIED WITH THE FIRST SYSTEM YOU JUST RECEIVED. GEE KIND OF FAST TO BE SATISFIED. YOU JUST GOT IT 2 MINUTES 32.5 SECONDS AGO. BUT OH WELL WHAT THE HELL. SO YOU SIGN AND BUY THE SECOND.

Only the cheapest of injected hair systems fall apart at that rate. Artisans on the premises can fix a great system immediately and correctly. That is the way we work, yet every client should have two systems. This way, no matter where the customer is on this planet he can overnight his system to us for repair while he wears the other. It's no big deal at all. My price structures always include the second system right from the beginning. Since most of my clients travel to West Hollywood from all over the world, they need both systems to be in perfect condition at all times. If service is needed on one, they simply wear the other. A few days later, they receive the one they sent us all cut-in and looking like new again.

We find that we can't let our customers go to a discount chain for repairs. The system would be ruined since they do not know of the techniques necessary to work on an ultra-custom system. The lace would be ripped. They would change the color of the lace while coloring the hair. They would add hair with large knots tied directly over old or broken knots and then there are so many other things they would do incorrectly that they are too numerous to mention in this response. So, having two systems makes sense doesn't it? And since I sell the two for the price I usually sell one for, I am giving the clients the quality, convenience and affordable price structure I think they deserve.

WIG/SYSTEM/RUG THINKING YOUR HAIR PROBLEM IS A THING OF THE PAST. THE TOTAL COST OF THESE WIG/SYSTEMS WILL BE ABOUT $3,000 DOLLARS TO GET IT ALL STARTED. THAT INCLUDES AT LEAST TWO SYSTEMS AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE MAINTENANCE FEES AND OTHER SUPPORT PRODUCTS YOU WILL NEED.

We give the client two systems as I mentioned earlier, however that will cost about $4800. The yearly maintenance will be about$500. Many people with growing hair plan a beauty budget so that they can spend that much getting haircuts throughout the year. My systems last minimum 3-5 years contrary to most all other systems on the market today.

My clients come from all over the globe so I need them to be totally independent of our salon services, except for occasional color service, hair addition or new front.

As long as the client looks completely undetectable and if the hair also feels as if it is their own, they don't mind the occasional services. If they are wearing the normal junk systems that the industry mass produces, then those added costs bug them. If you don't want to wear the best, then shave your head and wear nothing. You'll be better off.

NOW YOU ARE TOLD YOUR FIRST MAINTENANCE IS FREE. BUT THE NEXT ONE WILL BE $70 DOLLARS EACH PLUS TIP. YOU ARE TOLD "OUR CLIENTS TAKE REAL GOOD CARE OF THE STYLISTS HERE" MEANING THEY EXPECT YOU TO TIP THEM $20 TO $30 DOLLARS EACH VISIT. ALSO, YOU WILL NEED TO BUY SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, REVITALIZING FORMULA, HAIR SPRAY AND TAPE FOR THE FRONT OF THE WIG/SYSTEM/RUG WHICH ALWAYS SEEMS TO LIFT UP AND COME LOOSE AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS.

Please come here and tip my stylists 20-30 dollars. A $5 or $10 tip to a stylist is appreciated, especially when the client realizes that if it weren't for the efforts of my staff they would be like the rug-wearing clientele of other salons. Big deal. You guys are really cheap.

YOU WILL END UP SPENDING ABOUT $100 TO $120 A MONTH MAINTAINING THIS WIG/SYSTEM. BUT THAT'S OK BECAUSE HCM OR APOLLO HAIR SYSTEMS WILL HELP YOU OUT HERE YET AGAIN. SOME CLUBS, LIKE HCM, SELL "SYSTEM PLANS"-- WHERE YOU GET TWO HAIRPIECES A YEAR, SERVICES, ETC. FOR A FLAT MONTHLY FEE. THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY IN THE SHORT TERM BUT IS NOT REALLY A GOOD DEAL OVER THE LONG HAUL. THESE CLUBS AND HAIR ORGANIZATIONS WANT A PERMANENT CLIENT-- THEY WANT YOU TO BE DEPENDENT ON THEM FOR HAIR, COLORINGS, HAIRCUTS, PRODUCTS, ETC.

The major portion of my clientele simply come in for their haircuts. They might require an occasional hair addition, color and in about 9-12 months, a new front. As I said before, my clients usually elect and are trained by us to perform their own attachments. Again, because most of our clientele come from all over the globe, where else should they go? Most elect to do their own attachments. So, your numbers might be relevant to HCM but not at my place.

IT IS A DIFFICULT TASK TO EDUCATE THOSE WHO KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OR VERY LITTLE ABOUT WIGS SYSTEMS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO A NEWBIE THAT FROM THE START THEY HAVE AN "UNTRAINED EYE". MANY WIGS SYSTEMS LOOK GOOD IN THE BEGINNING TO THE "UNTRAINED EYE" OR "ROOKIE". MANY LACK THE EXPERIENCE THAT COMES WITH BEING AN EXPERIENCED VETERAN OF THE WIG SYSTEM INDUSTRY. BUT, AFTER A WHILE, YOU WILL BECOME 'EXPERT' AT DETECTING A PIECE (INCLUDING YOUR OWN).

First of all, it is more difficult to educate the authors than it is "newbies." I think we have all learned by this point that the authors of Wigs Systems 101 are not experts. They simply assembled a lot of negativity. Most of their points are exaggerated to an absurd extreme. The article is 2 years old now and I believe that even HCM is probably better than what the authors suggest. But best of all, none of the authors' points relate to my business.

Newbies are like green apples. They come ready to ripen. The authors are like over-ripened fruit. From here, where do they go? They rot. No one needs anymore of their views of the Hair Replacement industry. Their ideas are antiquated and I doubt if anyone is interested anymore.

MANY WIG/SYSTEM BUSINESSES HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT THE STAPLE OF THEIR CLIENTS COME FROM BOTCHED HAIR TRANSPLANTS. FOR THESE UNFORTUNATE INDIVIDUALS THEY CANNOT SIMPLY TAKE THEIR WIG SYSTEM OFF AND THROW THEM UNDER THEIR CAR TIRE WHERE THEY BELONG. FOR THEM IT COVERS THE OFTEN HORRIFIC AND BUTCHERED RESULTS OF SCARS AND PLUGS OR PATCHES OF HAIR. HCM AND APOLLO HAIR SYSTEMS PREFER THESE MEN AS CLIENTS FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT THEY CAN NEVER LEAVE HCM OR APOLLO HAIR SYSTEMS AND MUST PAY WHATEVER HCM OR APOLLO HAIR SYSTEMS DECIDE TO CHARGE THEM.

The majority of my clients are young guys who have done their research on the web and decided to come to California to get their system from me. Most do not have plugs yet. They figure it's safer to start out non-surgically at first before botching up their scalp. I am currently on tour throughout the United States since last May. I am trying to save clients from having to fly to the West coast to see me. They won't be coming in for monthly services; so again, this doesn't apply to my business or any future hair replacement business that decides to go ultra-custom in the future. Farrell is not a jail. Clients are not bound by any contracts. They are free to try any other company they choose. They choose to stay with Farrell Hair Replacement.

WAYS TO SPOT A WIG SYSTEMS: #1. WIGS SYSTEMS ARE EASILY SPOTTED IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. THE NUMBER ONE RULE OF THUMB IS IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE HAIR GROWING OUT FROM THE SCALP IN THE FRONTAL HAIRLINE THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUSPECT AND IS MORE THAT LIKELY WEARING A WIG SYSTEM. EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE A FULL HEAD OF HAIR AND CHOOSE TO WEAR IT IN BANGS. USUALLY ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HAIRLINE IS COVERED BY THE BANG. NOT THE ENTIRE FRONTAL HAIR LINE. AGAIN THIS IS VERY SUSPICIOUS.

Well, in the beginning of my response I said that I would respond to each point, so I will. None of my clients wear bangs or cover their hairline. Styles today demand many moods that are expressed through using hair fixatives, styling aids like gels, mousses and the like. As I said before, my systems all look as if the hair is growing right out of the skin. In many of my advertisements I challenged every hair company to make a system as undetectable as a Farrell Hair Replacement System. To this date, no one has taken the challenge. The challenge is still out there for the taking. Let the National Hair Journal hold the money purse and let's go for it! I know what goes in to one of my systems and nobody gets the results I do.

#2. WITH TIME (A FEW WEEKS FOR SOME TO A FEW MONTHS FOR OTHERS) THE WIG SYSTEM COLOR CAN BECOME TWO-TONE IN NATURE. THE TOP AND SIDES ARE NOT THE EXACT SAME COLOR OR TEXTURE AS THE SIDES AND BACK OF THE HAIR.

This is more misinformation. The texture will not change with high quality hair like I use. Cheap hairpieces from discount chains or dealers will have a multitude of problems, but a high quality system like mine never has those problems.

#3. THE WIG/SYSTEM IS UNNATURALLY THICK AND THE BACK VERTEX PART OF THE SCALP IS TOTALLY COVERED. EVEN WHEN BETTER WIG/SYSTEMS TRY TO MIMIC THIS "SHOWING OF SOME SCALP" THEY USUALLY FAIL MISERABLY.

I can make a system as thin as the client wants. How about one with only sixty hairs on it? Do you want to see it done? The authors know nothing about the state-of-the-art of my business. If one buys junk, one will get junk. It's that simple.

#4. THE INDIVIDUAL IN QUESTION NEVER RUNS HIS HAND THROUGH HIS OR HER FAKE WIG SYSTEM RUG HAIR. WHEN WE ARE TIRED OR STRESSED IT IS A NATURAL REACTION TO RUN YOUR HAND THROUGH YOUR HAIR. USUALLY FROM THE FRONT OF THE SCALP OR FRONTAL HAIRLINE TO THE BACK. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COME IN FROM A WINDY DAY INTO A BUILDING. YET, INDIVIDUALS WHO WEAR WIGS SYSTEMS CAN NEVER DO THIS FOR FEAR OF SHOWING THE FRONTAL HAIRLINE WHICH MUST REMAIN COVERED AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN PUBLIC.

Even the companies the authors are complaining about can achieve a fairly decent hairline. No one comes close to achieving the looks I do simply because of all the elements I incorporate when I make a hair system. So, the authors of Wigs Systems 101 are publishing only the most negative things from the past that they can find. Again I question their motives. Do they have a life? Do they think they are helping people with all of this misinformation? Hair Club hasn't responded to these authors because the authors admittedly hide their e-mail tracks, but if the things they say are true, they should be out there going head to head with them. My name is on this letter. I am exercising my first amendment right to tell the truth. Why can't the authors do likewise? The answer is obvious.

#5. THE HAIR OF THE WIG SYSTEM WILL NEVER SWEAT. THIS IS A DEAD GIVE AWAY. THE FAKE HAIR WILL NOT SWEAT BECAUSE IT IS NOT REALLY PART OF THE SCALP AND CANNOT RECEIVE THE SWEAT FROM THE SCALP.

This is an absurd claim. My clients come straight from the gym or roller rollerblading or whatever and they are sweaty as hell. We have to wash their sweaty hair before we work on them. More misinformation from self appointed experts who know nothing of how great a hair system can be. Maybe these authors have never even worked up a sweat?

#6. THE HAIR WILL ALWAYS BE STYLED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CONCEAL THE FRONTAL HAIRLINE.

Never, never, never have I ever had to style hair to conceal a front hairline. Not from day one have I ever had to do so. I take pride that I actually perform non-surgical Hair Replacement. That is exactly what it is. All of the growth patterns, tendencies, textures, and anything else I can throw into the equation ends up with a system that is as good as if the client was actually growing the hair. This means that the hair can be combed straight back from the hairline. Why don't you authors come in, sit in the waiting room and see for yourself how clients walk in and out. Every style is perfect or we have our work to do to make it right. And we always get it right.

#7. AFTER A WHILE WIG/SYSTEM CAN LOOK KIND OF DRY. THEY LACK THE SHINY OR OILY APPEARANCE OF REAL HAIR.

The authors are only familiar with cheap rugs from discount dealers. They have never experienced beautiful cuticle hair from northern Europe or Russia, so what can I tell people like this? Hair is dead once the young cells at the hair follicle are fully keratinized. Everything past the first 1/16th of an inch is dead. Hair can be kept in a healthy state for decades.

#8. (THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TO DETECT OF THE BUNCH) THE HAIR OF WIG/SYSTEMS WILL NOT BOUNCE IN A NATURAL WAY WHEN ONE IS DOING SOMETHING ATHLETIC. ALSO, A LIGHT TO MODERATE BREEZE WILL NOT BLOW MUCH OF THE HAIR FROM IT PRESENT POSITION. MANY OF THE STYLES ARE KEPT IN PLACE WITH A LOT OF HAIR SPRAY. SINCE IT IS NOT REAL HAIR "THE FRONT IN PARTICULAR" MUST BE KEPT FROM MOVING OR FLAPPING UP AND DOWN LIKE REAL HAIR. THIS IS BECAUSE IF THE FRONT OF THE HAIR LINE IS EXPOSED FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME THE BASE OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE SEEN, AND THUS YOU ARE BUSTED. SO THIS WOULD ALSO BE AN INDICATION OF HOW TO SPOT A WIG/SYSTEM. THE "LACK" OF NATURAL MOVEMENT OF THE HAIR. AN ARTIFICIAL LIFELESSNESS OR GENERAL LACK OF MOVEMENT WHEN MOVEMENT OF THE HAIR WOULD BE EXPECTED "UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS".

Come on fellas, even the discount chains can get through windy situations. Hair sprays aren't necessary either. Where have these authors been? Do they ever leave their computer? Natural movement comes from using high quality hair, making the right densities and blah blah blah. Things experts like the authors should know about.

OTHER PROBLEMS WITH WIGS SYSTEMS: WHEN ONE FIRST GETS A WIG SYSTEM THEY OFTEN FEEL THEIR HAIR LOSS PROBLEM IS A THING OF THE PAST. THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE AT ALL. WHAT USUALLY ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO CHOSE THE WIG SYSTEM ROUTE USUALLY ENDS UP BECOMING PARANOID IF ANYONE CAN TELL THEY HAVE A WIG SYSTEM ON OR NOT. AND SINCE MORE AND MORE OF THE PUBLIC IS BECOMING EDUCATED TO THESE WIGS SYSTEMS THIS PARANOIA IS NOT UNFOUNDED. ANYONE WHO REALLY HAS EXPERIENCE WITH WIGS SYSTEMS AND HAS NOTHING TO GAIN FINANCIALLY WILL NEVER RECOMMEND ONE AS A VIABLE SOLUTION TO THE HAIR LOSS PROBLEM.

High quality non-surgical Hair Replacement is a solution to large areas of Male or Female pattern baldness. I have thousands of extremely ecstatic clients who will never be detected. One of my clients went to surgical company for a consultation wearing his system. They were shocked that he was wearing a system and brought all of the other surgical staff in to the room to look at the system. They never knew a system could be made to be completely undetectable. They tried to sell him on implants but after looking at the photos and interviewing a few of their customers he decided, as many other have, that his system was better than anything he could get surgically.

ALSO, THE WIG SYSTEM LIMITS WHAT YOU CAN DO SO MUCH THAT THEY JUST SIMPLY ARE NOT A REALISTIC SOLUTION TO THE HAIR LOSS PROBLEM. I COULD NO LONGER RIDE MY 1988 HONDA 750 INTERCEPTOR MOTORCYCLE, ONE OF MY MANY PASSIONS. THE WIG SYSTEM WOULD NOT LET ME. IF I RODE WITHOUT MY HELMET THE WIND WOULD MOLD THE FRONT OF MY HAIR LINE BACK EXPOSING THE BASE OF MY WIG SYSTEM, WHICH I HAD TO KEEP COVERED. IF I RODE WITH MY HELMET ON IT WOULD SMASH THE TOP OF MY WIG SYSTEM TO THE POINT WHERE IT LOOKED LIKE A REALLY FAKE WIG WHEN I TOOK OFF THE HELMET. SO I COULD ONLY RIDE IT WITH MY HELMET AND RIDE BACK HOME. NO MORE STOPPING AND CHATTING WITH OTHER CAFETYPE BIKE RIDERS OR TAKE MY HELMET OFF AND TALK TO THE GIRLS WHO LIKE THESE TYPES OF BIKES. IT WAS JUST RIDE AROUND AND RIDE BACK HOME. AS YOU CAN SEE IT TOOK SOME OF THE FUN OUT OF IT. I ALSO COULD NOT SWIM. I LOVE TO SWIM. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE WATER EVEN AS A SMALL BOY. FORGET IT WITH A WIG SYSTEM.

I have a full head of natural hair. I don't wear a system and I have had motorcycles in my life since I was 15 years old and obtained my learner's permit. I raced professionally as Team rider racing factory production road racers. When I took my helmet off, I had helmet hair also, until I ran my hands through it.

My friend and I ice climb on frozen waterfalls and we wear helmets while chopping with our ice axes and hammers. My climbing buddy John is my client and best friend. He wears a system designed by me. When he takes off his helmet after burning close to 1000 calories an hour as we ascend the ice he has helmet hair. Big deal. He runs his hands through it and it's gone.

WIGS SYSTEMS ARE JUST NOT THE ANSWER. MANY IN THIS NEWSGROUP WILL TRY TO TELL YOU THEY ARE. BE CAUTIOUS OF SUCH NEWS BEARERS. SOME WILL TRY TO CONVINCE YOU THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS "FIND THE RIGHT COMPANY OR BUSINESS" AND ALL THE PROBLEMS CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT WILL DISAPPEAR. YET OTHERS WILL TRY TO SAY "JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO LAZY TO DO A LITTLE MAINTENANCE YOU TRASH THE WHOLE THING. THEY WORK". MANY OTHERS AND I MAINTAINED OUR WIGS SYSTEMS RELIGIOUSLY. UNFORTUNATELY, THE INHERENT PROBLEMS WITH WIGS SYSTEMS STILL REMAINED.

To the Authors of Wigs Systems 101: You and the many others you talk about did not do your homework. I am surprised because you certainly had enough time to research as to where to go. Every one of your complaints has been addressed but I'll bet you are still going to trash the business. You know nothing of the state-of-the-art of our industry. But at least I had the opportunity to help you look inward at your own mistakes. It's okay to make mistakes and it's all right to change from a Republican to a Democrat, but it takes guts and you need to swallow a little pride to admit you are wrong about every point in this letter.

Of course, you can stay how you are and keep misleading people but you should do it openly and not under false e-mail names or however you are hiding. I think after my response, which you asked for, people can now see that whatever response you might prepare next you should stand on firmer ground.

Right now the industry is in a transition period. Yes. Many of the things you complained about in this Wigs Systems 101 might have been close to accurate 10 years ago but they are things of the past.

Someday, others in my industry might start practicing this art form the way I do. If they don't their doors will eventually close. In the same way the roller set salons of the past closed their doors as Vidal Sassoon started the trend of precision haircutting.

BE WARY OF ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THAT WIGS SYSTEMS ARE "THE WAY TO GO". THEY ARE USUALLY NAIVE INDIVIDUALS WHO LACK MUCH OF THE KNOWLEDGE CONTAINED HEREIN.

No. Be wary of the naïve people who wrote Wigs Misinformation 101. The authors are not experts. I am an expert and a leader in technology in this industry. I don't sit behind a desk. I work on each and every system that we make. My wife double-checks every system as the client leaves our salon. My receptionist does the same as does every person the client might meet on the way out of our salon. We strive for and achieve perfection. This is art. We don't make Ford's or Chevy's. This is Picasso kind of work. We get our satisfaction from witnessing the satisfaction on the faces of every one of our customers. Ultra-Custom Hair Systems are the way to go. You are welcome to visit me on my premises to witness it for yourself.

STAY AWAY FROM WIGS SYSTEMS RUGS---YOU ARE JUST TRADING ONE SET OF CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HAIR FOR ANOTHER. ALONG WITH LOSING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

Young men and women come to me with major hair loss situations everyday and they come from all over the world. High school kids look 50 years old when they are bald and they hate their situation. Guys in their twenties look 20 - 30 years older also and most of them feel they look terrible without a head of hair. Unfortunately the world out there is very judgmental and critical as are the writers of Wigs Systems 101. Do you prefer they stay bald and suffer?

My chemotherapy clients want a healthy self-image looking back at them from the mirror and it has been proven that a healthy self-image helps in the recovery process. Many of them would like to keep their careers going while they are fighting their illness since many of them still feel well enough to work. Only Ultra-Custom Hair Replacement like I practice replaces their hair right down to their sideburns and they live totally comfortable in their systems. Do you also prefer these people stay bald?

My clients are mainly young people with extremely active lives. My wife and I love coming to work everyday because we have people who love what we do and love how they look.

When I started in this industry, I went to work for a Hair Replacement salon here in Los Angeles. They had their share of happy clients but in general everyone was deep down sick that they had to wear the ugly rugs that salons used to put on their clients at that time. I saw the owner wrestling with customers on the floor as the customers threw fits of dissatisfaction with their ugly hairpieces. Even at that particular salon, I doubt those things are happening any more. I believe that the state-of-the-art is much better than what these authors want people to believe.

This document was revised two years ago. What is it even being posted for? I have too many things to do on a daily basis to spend my time on the Internet in discussion groups, so this written response is probably the only time you will ever hear from me. My daily responsibilities require that I keep thousands of customers looking great and it's a lot of work.

There is always a chance that the discount chains might some day get the message that they need to change their business practices and conduct business the way we do here at Farrell in Los Angeles. There is room for other people in our industry to start Ultra-Custom too. But that day probably will never come until the Old Guards of this industry fade away. Until then I want you all to know that you can have the best system on the planet that is the closest thing possible to having your own real hair. You simply can have all of your hair back exactly like it was before you lost it. But go to an artist, not a salesman, and never put up with what a factory ordering company can give you.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO STEVE AND OTHERS IN THE ALT.BALDSPOT NEWS GROUP WHO MADE THIS DOCUMENT POSSIBLE. REVISION (05/16/98)

I am not sure what the above newsgroup is all about since I only use computers at work to manage my business. I can only hope that they are giving non-surgical Hair Replacement companies a little bit more credibility than the authors of Wigs Systems 101.

This document brought out many emotions in me because of its inaccuracies and because of my passion for my art form. I have done my deed. There are more things to say about this industry. It can turn around as artists start to enter into it again. The authors that collaborated in writing Wigs/Systems 101 are not knowledgeable about the present state-of-the-art of non-surgical Hair Replacement. They certainly have some hidden agendas. I am a hands-on maker of the best systems in the world. Period. Do your own research and find out for yourself.