BINTULU: A haircut for RM5. Now that’s a mind-blowing deal which will probably make you lightheaded. How is such pricing even possible in this day and age?
Truth be told, even the most regular of patrons get to hear that haircuts cost more these days owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, presumably to make up for losses during the pandemic lockdowns. What better justification?
But one hairdresser here has turned such argument on its head by sticking to her fare, come rain or shine, pandemic or post pandemic, inflation or whatever.
And she has been charging RM5 per haircut for some 43 years now! Wait, there’s more. The price is the same for both men and women, yes, even those whose crowning glory defies their age! If they want it trimmed, it only costs RM5.
Nicknamed Auntie Anna, the woman who owns a a chain of 60 Anna Gunting shops is somewhat of a celebrity for her RM5 haircuts since the year 1980.
A resident named Pathe Morni said he accompanied his wife to get a haircut yesterday at one of the outlets in Kampung Baru on the outskirts of town.
“Auntie Anna has been doing this business for 43 years, amazing, and it’s still surviving.
“The fee charged from the past until now has not changed, only RM5 for men and women’s haircuts,” he said.
Auntie Anna, in an interview with Suara Sarawak, was matter-of-fact about her justification, simply saying that not everyone has a lot of money.
“There are more poor people than rich people. If people have a lot of money, they can go to a salon.
“I don’t rent this shop, the capital for the shop is not as much as other businesses. That’s why I can offer low prices.
“If you sell vegetables, when there’s a flood, the price of vegetables goes up. You can’t sell them cheap,” said Anna to illustrate her point.
An appreciative Pathe Morni intends to spread the word on Auntie’s shop on Facebook so that more people will know about it, especially with school reopening soon and children wanting to get a haircut.
Another customer, Jenyfer Racha Nyanau, said that besides herself, her mother also patronises Auntie Anna’s.
According to Jenyfer, not only does the haircut cost only RM5 but Auntie Anna’s quality of work is good.
Anyone interested in a haircut at Auntie Anna’s can contact her at 016-5258337.
