If "F10 QuickCut" is any indication, we'd say this is NOT the best time to be an -established- business in low-end haircare.
"F10 QuickCut" is tenance 164a at Centro Arndale, in newly-opened entry hall [not far from Big W & Independent Sports]
These guys come from Taiwan, they say (and their web site confirms), and - from their "New Oprning" (sic) promo tissue-advert - their opening-price is $10 for a haircut; how long that price will last is anyone's guess (as is risk that another "standard price" hair care operator might - G-d forbid! - have nearby F10's shops "torched," after hours, just to stay in business…)
Compared to an $18 mature-aged "barber shop" here's what we found:
it currently costs $10 for a haircut
it's quick, a bit painful & limited in what you get (eg, no eyebrow-trims seemed available)
[dull] straight-edge razor was used to shave back of neck, after cut, with no shaving cream or other lubricant; unexpectedly painful, but not cut AFAIK
didn't see straight-edge razor in (or come out of) sterilizer
not seen were any hint of trade qualifications (perhaps the industry is unregulated? or practitioners no longer need to post copies of qualifications?)
cutting staff wear [what looks like] surgical masks
some cutting staff did not speak English adequately (in fairness, another person - who seemed to hold the money - would translate)
they have a "sterilizing" machine for some tools (but NOT cutters, in SA shop; they left hair from a previous cut on cutter & had to be told to brush it away, eg, to help prevent spread of nits, etc.)
they use a "new [thin, paper] neck towel" between shared hair catcher & each customers' neck
the thin paper towel easily folds, defeating the purpose; cutting staff don't always notice or fix this, unless they're told to
cutting staff said to have "clean hand" (sic); didn't notice washing, but was busy getting questions translated
a vacuum-hose is used to suck away hair cuttings that may be on your neck or clothing
a queue-ticket machine stands by the door (& is used even when no one is waiting)
We can offer -no- assessment of the value in what F10 offers; you get what you pay for
One can expect to be sharing tools, etc. with those who cannot afford better, so - in one sense - F10 may be providing a service (eg, attracting low-end of market clients [some with "nits"] away from other haircare shops.
Web site says they're a franchised operation, which may mean that some of the $$ you pay may go to franchise operators [in Qld…? or maybe Taiwan…?].
Let us know what you think & feel about "F10 QuickCut" (if you're brave: try 'em first; if not, tell us how you feel about their "disruptive" business-model, in principal).
Is it going to help existing haircare businesses lift their game? Or will they more likely consider early retirement or selling-up…?
But every F10 is $10? Not a bargain…
Can go to SB and get it for the same price. It's no opening special and you'll realise the price will never change.