Hairdresser cancelled appointment at my appointment time

I don't believe her, she's lying.

She's double booked you or taken a day off and forgotten to rearrange.

If she was really sick, she or the salon would have let you know before now.

Bin her, find another hairdresser.

This! Whatever her cancellation policy is should work both ways.

I guess you've never had one who really puts you at your ease and just knows how to do what you are needing. That's the bond. I am fiercely loyal to anyone once I get the service - car garage, accountant, hairdresser, even the double glazing company.

I’ve reread your post.

she’s offered you discount off your next appointment. I don’t think she’s pulling a fast one.

she won’t get paid for today, then is willing to take a pay cut for next time, plus will have her rent to pay today while not working.

She’s genuine. You really don’t know what is happening in her life today.

I just wouldn't bother contacting her again and fi d a different salon. However I've ever understood the loyalty some people seem to have with their hairdresser - there are enough others to choose from!

Bizarrely, I had something very similar happen to me yesterday! I had booked for a cut at a local salon for the first time, and when I turned up for my appointment, was told that the stylist was off sick and they had been "trying to get hold of (me) all morning". I replied that I didn't have any texts or missed calls, and the guy breezily replies "No, we didn't have your number..." 🙄

I rebooked for earlier today and they did a good job, but I have made sure they have my number now!

In your shoes I would probably take the discounted appointment on this occasion, but make a point of saying "I just wanted to check that you have my contact details in case you need to cancel again, as I don't want to have another wasted journey." How they react to that should tell you whether they value your time or just theirs.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope your hair looks fabulous!

This. No one on here can tell you what to do because none of us know how much you value your hairdresser. You decide.

I would walk across hot coals for mine, but I've had plenty more before her who I'd happily change at the slightest chance.

Added to which, I know when I've been ill it doesn't half affect how you view things, so I'd understand why letting all her clients know may not have been her first thought / why some may have slipped through the net. Being kind, I'd like to think the salon had a process in place to inform you, and that it may have not been 100% efficient.

Does she have your phone number? Before you messaged to say you were at the salon?

I’d give her the benefit of the doubt. If it happens again then obviously there’s a problem.

Who knows what’s happening in her life.

I would be suspicious she's on a last minute holiday otherwise the other stylists would have been sorting out her diary if she's been off sick all week.

Definitely time to move on to a new salon.

I don't believe she's been ill all week for a minute. She only texted AFTER you turned up for your appt.

If she was genuine, she'd have worked through all her appts. with a cancellation message first thing in the morning. After all by day 3, you'd just Copy & Paste your basic message, would you? It wouldn't take very long to do that.

I'd bet good money that she's either double booked you or fancies the afternoon off.

Find someone less flaky.

It certainly isn't spiteful. It's giving her her just desserts.

I think I'd have to reply. It's not on to have let you get as far as the appointment and then cancel after you've tried to check in! This wasn't a last minute emergency - she's known all week and just didn't bother. That's really rude.
She'd get a message and a bad review on her site.

I'd reply to ask why she didn't let me know in advance.

There have been other similar stories on MN where the OP discovered the hairdresser wasn't sick at all but on vacation. As others have said either accept it or don't. People mess up. Sometimes royally. But some people are great BS-ers too. I had an appointment booked more than a month in advance for an important date. The hairdresser/colourist rescheduled it because she decided to go on vacation. I dealt with it. But she scheduled it to the day I was having my hair cut by another lady. The first lady ran a bit over. But I was struggling (and unbeknownst to me I had sepsis and being determined...just kept barrelling along because early that morning the GP said I was fine!!!!) Anyway, when I got to the colourist about 15 minutes late she said she no longer had time to do a full head because of her other bookings. I didn't argue. The colour was shit. She'd always done a good job but it was awful. Two days later I was recovering from septic shock with a blonde that didn't match my skin tone ... I never went back to her but guess what I... I found other awesome hairdressers/colourists at the salon and went to them instead. It did take some time to get that awful blonde out.

"I'm geared towards not replying and going elsewhere."
That's probably what I'd do too, for all the reasons you've already given.

Check her social media to see if she’s actually in Ibiza.

You know what. She made a bad customer service decision. But she’s ill- stands to reason that she’s not doing anything very well at the moment.

To tell her I’m pissed off and it’s shit customer service

Why bother

I would reply ‘Hi poorly hairdresser. Whilst I hope you get well soon, I’m disappointed that you or a colleague failed to let me know that you’ve been off sick for a week. Being told as I’m stood at the door was frustrating as I’ve organised my whole day around the appointment.’ Her response will be indicative of her customer service.

Agree, it was unprofessional for her to not let you know. However, I would accept the discount, keep that appointment and see if she acknowledges her error. The amount of sincerity in her apology would determine if I would continue to return.

That’s just spiteful.

It's difficult

If they can't see who's at the door I don't blame them for the method they use.

Yes, this is really annoying. You can’t help illness but you should give customers as much notice as possible and if they’d been ill all week, they could have given you more notice. I’d take the discounted appointment and then look for somewhere more reliable.