How much does a "normal" sheitel cost?

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:35 am

My sheitel is almost two decades old and desperately needs to be replaced. But it's not in the budget, and I don't wear it every day (I do chores and errands in a snood), so I've made it work.

A very kind family member recently offered to pay for a new sheitel for me. I am SO grateful. She even specified that she doesn't want me to buy a "cheap" sheitel, and she's happy to pay the normal price, whatever a sheitel costs these days. The thing is, she doesn't wear sheitels. (I know, she's amazing, right?) So she has no idea what that price is, and either do I. I asked her if she was sure, said that I had heard they were more expensive recently, like double the price of pre-covid, and she said yes, she's willing to spend whatever a "normal" sheitel costs, I shouldn't get a cheap one. B"H she is well-off and so, so generous.

I have an appointment scheduled with a sheitelmacher soon, but I feel like I want to tell her around how much I'm willing to spend so she doesn't take advantage of my ignorance and sell me something crazy expensive. At the same time, I want it to be something that will last because I know that I will likely not be getting another one for a very long time.

What is a normal price for a good-quality sheitel? Not lace top or lace front, nothing super fancy, not long (maybe shoulder length or slightly longer?) and not blond (maybe light brown or with very tame blond highlights?). Any advice would be so helpful.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:46 am

I realized I forgot to add--I live in a large OOT community. Not sure if that matters in terms of the price.

Also, does anyone have any advice to make sure that I don't mess this up? I'm nervous to spend this much money, and not my own(!), on something that I know people have gotten and not liked before. I specifically choose a sheitelmacher that I'm familiar with and trust, and I've heard the same from people who have bought sheitels from her. But any other advice to someone who doesn't know the nuts and bolts of buying sheitels?

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 6:55 am

amother DarkKhaki wrote:

Have her wash and dry it so you can see how the hair really is.

Interesting. Can you explain what that means? Have her wash it before I even buy it? What would I look for to tell "how the hair really is"?

I'm really an ignoramous here...thank you!

Also, any more advice on pricing would be helpful. Based on the posters who have already responded (thank you!), it seems like 2-3 thousand is a normal range for this type of sheitel. Does that sound right?

amother

Apricot

Yesterday at 7:00 am

My guess would be around 3k.
You could go higher but for 3k you can a good price for good quality.
Ask your shelter macher to see a few companies. Some are denser, some are sleeker. I would add the highlights instead of buying something ready to wear.

honey36 ↓

Yesterday at 7:09 am

amother Apricot wrote:

Why would you do this?

IME, much better to try to get best match to your hair as possible. Once you start playing around with highlights and color, firstly, it could come out not as you imagined and by then it's too late to return. Secondly, it will oxidize faster.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 7:13 am

amother Nectarine wrote:

Non lace is prob $2-2500 in a shorter length if processed (Irene, Sary, Eva and Chloe)
If virgin hair much more, like $5000.

Make sure wig is washed and dried

Come with inspo pictures so that they can see what you like.

Pretend I'm someone who knows nothing about sheitels. (Because I am.)

What does processed vs. virgin hair mean? I mean, I can figure out what the words mean. But is there any real downside to processed hair? I'm not looking for top of the line. Are standard sheitels typically processed? In other words, is a processed sheitel considered a "cheap option" and virgin is normal? Or is virgin considered a luxury and processed is normal? I'm assuming, based on the price range that you gave me, that virgin is more for people who are willing to spend more than the average, and processed hair is "normal" and will still typically last. Can someone confirm that that's true?

Also, can someone tell me what I'm looking for after it's washed and dried? Would a "bad" sheitel suddenly look awful (tangles, straggly hair) after it's washed and dried? Also, do I ask her to do this before cutting it, and that's a normal request?

amother

↑ OP

Yesterday at 7:15 am

amother Apricot wrote:

I'm nervous I won't know whether "dense" or "sleek" are better. I really have no idea. I'm looking for a typical classic yeshivish (not trendy) sheitel. Can anyone tell me which brands I should opt for, and which I should stay away from for some reason? Or what I should look for? I feel so clueless...

amother

Viola ↓

Yesterday at 7:21 am

I would say, around 3-3.5k for a good Rina, zisi etc... maybe a bit more depending on length/color.
(But Dini and Yafi can be 8+)
Also, just saying, this thread really shows that people should be dan lekaf zchus for anytime they have doubt of how someone can afford something, people really buy presents for eachother.
I feel like there is so much bashing here on how people spend their money, people do get gifts!
Enjoy your new wig, and try not to feel guilty, she really wants to buy it for you. Smile

↑ honey36

Yesterday at 7:21 am

I agree, I would say don't spend more than 2-3000 MAX!

Remember a sheitel, ANY sheitel is still HAIR. That automatically means it will wear out. It's not like buying a dining room table that will last you a lifetime.

A $10,000 might look slightly more beautiful, but it won't last many more years than a $3000. Maybe it will last 2-3 extra years, but considering it's more than triple the price, not a good choice in my opinion.

itsokay

Yesterday at 7:23 am

You got this OP! Regular shaitels are processed. Normal brands are sary, eve and chloe, Irene. Definitely pay for all the upgrades/work the shaitel macher will put in like baby hair, weft removal, color adjustments like rooting or face framing, taking the wig in so it will fit your head better. That work will make a huge difference in how much you like the wig. I would expect the total cost to come in at under 3K but it doesn't matter cuz you're not paying. Just ask for normal high quality processed wig brands and what work the SM recommends putting in. If you want me to explain more in depth any of what I said above let me know and I'm happy to go into more details. I hope you end with something you love!

Last edited by itsokay on Wed, Dec 25 2024, 7:37 am; edited 1 time in total

amother

↑ Viola

Yesterday at 7:26 am

also, ask her about "cap shape"
They all have different lengths of the part, and how far back it goes on your head. Zisi looks terrible on me, Rina had a deeper part.
I have a friend that has a Zisi and loves it.
Whatever you do, don't settle if you're not feeling it 100%. Maybe try a different sheitel machet if she doesn't have a brand that works for you.

amother

↑ Chicory

Yesterday at 7:33 am

amother OP wrote:

If you find a good shaitel macher (ask anyone who you like their shaitel for recommendations) they will tell you what to get.