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Original poster

Salon increased price of service since I booked and paid deposit

34 replies

shinytartlet · 17/08/2024 07:29

A couple of months ago I booked and paid a 10% deposit at a hair salon. Regular customer. Been there a year+ and already had around 10 appointments. Generally happy with the service.

When I booked I paid a £6.50 deposit as usual for my £65 cut and blow dry.

I've now been sent a reminder for my appointment and the price of the appointment is now apparently £75. I assumed the reminder email was wrong, but I checked the website and the price of a cut and blow dry has indeed increased to £75.

I wasn't notified of this above 10% price increase, and there were no comms on the salon's social media channels. To be honest it's not an increase I can really afford given how regularly I go (short unruly hair!), and I'll likely look for another salon.

Am I being unreasonable to ask not to pay the increased price when I go for my appointment next week? I have the original booking confirmation stating the original price of £65.

OP posts:
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saltinesandcoffeecups · 17/08/2024 22:21

SaintHonoria · 17/08/2024 15:38

Unless you're Gloria Hunniford, do you really need to have your hair cut and blow dried TEN tkmes a year?!

If you don't like the price hike but like how they do your hair, try spacing it out and go eight times a year!

I go every 4 weeks 🤷‍♀️

NigelHarmansNewWife · 17/08/2024 21:38

SaintHonoria · 17/08/2024 15:38

Unless you're Gloria Hunniford, do you really need to have your hair cut and blow dried TEN tkmes a year?!

If you don't like the price hike but like how they do your hair, try spacing it out and go eight times a year!

I have short hair and go every five weeks. My hair grows quickly and is thick.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 17/08/2024 15:59

Have you called them yet? Why are you getting outraged by something that you don’t know is even going to happen?

SaintHonoria · 17/08/2024 15:38

Unless you're Gloria Hunniford, do you really need to have your hair cut and blow dried TEN tkmes a year?!

If you don't like the price hike but like how they do your hair, try spacing it out and go eight times a year!

Izzynohopanda · 17/08/2024 13:32

Have you spoken to them? Just reply saying that you have previously agreed £65, for the next two appointments, and asking them to confirm and honour this price.

Ivehearditbothways · 17/08/2024 13:26

Comingupriver · 17/08/2024 08:43

Does Tesco notify you when they put their prices up?

No, but they haven’t taken your order, given you the final quote for the price and then taken a deposit. It’s totally different.

A quote is legally binding at the time of the booking. They have the quote for their prices available, you booked at that price and paid a deposit. It is legally binding.

Shopping in Tesco is totally different. You go in, the price is what it is on the day and you choose and pay for the product on that day. No contract was previously formed at a different price.

OP, their original price quotes is legally binding.

Ilovecleaning · 17/08/2024 13:21

Achangearama · 17/08/2024 10:33

They’re probably not enjoying the rising cost of their food, utilities and business related costs either. Blame inflation, not your suppliers

Show quote history

But inflation hasn’t risen by 16%/20%.

WigglyVonWaggly · 17/08/2024 11:11

They should notify people of price increases. Mine gives 4 weeks’ notice and so do I (I’m self employed). I’d hold firm and pay £65 at the till. Say that’s was the cost of what you booked and paid a deposit for. Draw it out in cash and that way you don’t have them taking more off your card.

Achangearama · 17/08/2024 10:33

Ilovecleaning · 17/08/2024 09:49

I don’t like these random price increases. Our gardener (mows 2 small lawns front and back) has just increased from £15 to £17.50 (16%) window cleaner from £4 to £5 (20%), hairdresser added10% across all treatments. Irks me but there’s little I can do about it.

They’re probably not enjoying the rising cost of their food, utilities and business related costs either. Blame inflation, not your suppliers

Ilovecleaning · 17/08/2024 09:49

I don’t like these random price increases. Our gardener (mows 2 small lawns front and back) has just increased from £15 to £17.50 (16%) window cleaner from £4 to £5 (20%), hairdresser added10% across all treatments. Irks me but there’s little I can do about it.

Anitapu · 17/08/2024 09:39

BLOODY HELL!
£75 for a haircut these days!

happinessischocolate · 17/08/2024 09:33

Take cash to pay and if they try to charge you £75 then refuse and pay them £65 less the 2 booking fees.

I suspect it might be an oversight though with the automated reminders.

Achangearama · 17/08/2024 09:14

most salons use a third party booking system and it’s likely it just automates the emails, so before getting all bolshy about it - just give them a call and check.

£75 for a cut and blow dry does sound on the pricy side - especially if you go often so maybe it’s time to look at another salon (or I hate to say it - but a cheaper to maintain style).

CautiousLurker · 17/08/2024 09:07

shinytartlet · 17/08/2024 07:47

Thanks everyone for the replies so far.

The super annoying thing is that I actually have 2 upcoming appointments booked with them as I always book in advance. For both I have booking emails confirming the £65 price.

If you have emails confirming the price they are legally obligated to honour that, unless there is small print in the email. In contract law - you’ve offered to buy a service, they accepted that offer by booking you in, you offered consideration in the form of a 10% booking fee and the nature of these actions demonstrated an ‘intention to create legal relations’. Basic GCSE law stuff.

I would point it out to them, say that it is worth them understanding that if they are doing this to other customers, they are in breach of contract and at risk of damaging good-will with existing loyal customers.

The only way they can get around this is by cancelling bookings and refunding the booking deposit, on grounds of lack of staff for example as this will be in their T&Cs, and then offering to rebook at the new higher feel.

TheOccupier · 17/08/2024 09:07

Go in and speak to the salon owner to ask them to honour the £65 for the appointments you've already booked.

Sunshineandrainbow · 17/08/2024 08:58

I hope they honour the first price.

My cut and blow dry recently went up from 45.00 to 53.00 which I feel is a big jump. Just means I can't go as often :(

Original poster
shinytartlet · 17/08/2024 08:57

Comingupriver · 17/08/2024 08:43

Does Tesco notify you when they put their prices up?

No but I don't pre-book and pay deposit with Tesco. Completely different situation.

OP posts:
Tourmalines · 17/08/2024 08:56

They should be honouring their original price . I’m sure they wouldn’t want to lose you as a client over it either .

Tourmalines · 17/08/2024 08:54

Comingupriver · 17/08/2024 08:43

Does Tesco notify you when they put their prices up?

That’s hardly comparable.

Createausername1970 · 17/08/2024 08:50

Comingupriver · 17/08/2024 08:43

Does Tesco notify you when they put their prices up?

No, but they don't ask for a deposit.

Comingupriver · 17/08/2024 08:43

Does Tesco notify you when they put their prices up?

thecatsthecats · 17/08/2024 08:43

I think it might simply be an error with their booking system automatically reminding people using the new price regardless of when they booked. If you have emails confirming the booked price, just go along and pay the £65 amount, as you have a written contract for that price.

TwinklyAmberOrca · 17/08/2024 08:33

@shinytartlet I'd expect them to honour the price for all booked appointments where the email says £65.

I'd just phone them to check and if they insist on £75 I'd cancel and get your deposit back.

That's quite a hefty price increase.

Ineffable23 · 17/08/2024 08:30

Hadalifeonce · 17/08/2024 08:28

I would think if you have original emails confirming a price of £65, and that is what your deposit was based on, then you have both agreed that price. It is not acceptable for them to try to increase their price, after that agreement. In fact, I would be tempted to take the balance in cash.

This. I'd expect it to be honoured for any appointments I had booked.

Edit: posted too soon. If they weren't prepared to honour both I'd accept them honouring one but taking £13 off - i.e. both the deposits I had paid.

Hadalifeonce · 17/08/2024 08:28

I would think if you have original emails confirming a price of £65, and that is what your deposit was based on, then you have both agreed that price. It is not acceptable for them to try to increase their price, after that agreement. In fact, I would be tempted to take the balance in cash.