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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To charge back my card? (Hairdresser).

207 replies

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 15:45

Booked hairdresser for 2pm for a full head of colour (dark brown/black) and a cut and blow dry. I realised at half 12, she’d emailed me at 11am asking if I could come in any earlier. I emailed back and said earliest I could go in was 1, which she said was fine. I’ve been to her before and she’s always been fine.

Get there and she’s incredibly short with me. Seems pissed off that I didn’t come in earlier and she’s been “waiting around all morning” even though I booked a 2pm appointment. Doesn’t offer a tea or coffee or anything and slaps on the colour. Leaves it for 25 minutes, then starts saying she may not have time now to do a full blow dry as she’s busy but could blast it with the hairdryer. I’m annoyed and sense tension but say fine. She then proceeds as she’s washing it to say actually she may not have time at all, and as I’m only going home after can only towel dry it. We weren’t even at my original appointment time yet.

She then cuts it quickly, just the ends and not my usual layers and when I mention it again she says about time. Things are getting tense and I’m getting tearful. (7 months pregnant too). She then wraps my hair in a paper towel and says that I’m finished and I look at her gone out.

She says sorry needs the chair back for next client. I say fine whatever, get up and leave. Issue is I’ve booked through Fresha and they’ve taken the full amount from my card. I emailed the salon once I’ve got out and processed everything and they’re point blank refusing a refund even though I got barely a cut and absolutely no blow dry.

i won’t be going there again but can/would you request a bank charge back? Paid by debit card and it was £85😭 im so upset, money is tight anyway and this was suppose to be a birthday treat.

OP posts:
YourRareMember · 21/05/2026 18:17

100%, I would email them again first and let them know that you are going to request a chargeback and see if they change their mind. Did you take pictures as well for the state she left you in? She sounds absolutely vile.

WilCh · 21/05/2026 18:16

Contact your bank & let them know you did not get what you had paid for xx

Stanthedog15 · 21/05/2026 18:13

Advertisement is how a hairdresser gets her Clients. So make sure you rate your visa especially if they have a website. Fb or insta.

Plus tell her via messenger that you are disgusted with the service. The rushing. The treatment.

You are allowed to write about her as long as its honest and truthful.
You can tell as many people as you can. Your not likely to get any money back.
It's horrible how you were treated. As for paying in future. Pay cash. Cash is fantastic as you can pay less explaining why.
Also if you find a great hairdresser. Remember to thank and Tip .
Great hairdressers are very wanted. x

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 21/05/2026 18:11

It looks like you need another cut (layers) and maybe colour redone so I’d factor that cost in.

Gwenna · 21/05/2026 18:11

VIII · 20/05/2026 15:55

If the salon are refusing to issue you with a refund or discuss the issue the yes I absolutely would. However I would first send another email to make sure you have the full matter in writing and see if they will resolve the problem so you have a clear paper trail.

This is excellent advice, and I would also try and chargeback in the meantime. What appalling service.

Chocolation · 21/05/2026 18:09

Definitely call trading standards and they’ll advise you the best way to proceed as sounds like abreach of contract. I’ve used them a couple of times and they were great and I got a full refund both times.

liveforsummer · 21/05/2026 18:09

AlohaRose · 20/05/2026 16:45

I presume this was a hairdresser you had never used before? Sounds like Fresha has over-booked her, which is by no means your fault though. After her slapdash approach though, maybe it's best she didn't cut your hair. How is the colour?

She has used the hairdresser before. It’s there in the first paragraph of her OP

Peoplesfrontofjudea2000 · 21/05/2026 18:08

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:08

Got an email back from the salon owner to say that as she rents a chair, it’s at her discretion to refund and on this occasion she won’t. That they don’t handle payments etc and it goes to each person who rents a chair. Such a nightmare.

Write to trading standards

Glitterbiscuits · 21/05/2026 18:05

I’m invested now.

Please let us know how you get on OP

Good luck

SarBe · 21/05/2026 18:01

100% chargeback as you did not get what you paid for

Flowerlovinglady · 21/05/2026 17:59

I would pursue that with your bank but I would let the hairdresser know before you do that. I would be quite clinical about it - "I was booked in for an appointment at this time, came in earlier etc. etc". i.e. completely factual. Let them digest that and let them know that if they continue with their nonsense you will pursue it with your card provider and if you can, complain to Fresha. Do you have any video footage or anything to back up your story? Did you send a text to anyone that would timestamp your pissed off ness. They have treated you absolutely appallingly and even if nothing comes of it after you complain, I would definitely pursue it.

I have pursued two claims recently (with the help of Chat GPT advising and writing suitable correspondence) and both times have got full reimbursement even though both tried it on beyond the tolerance of most people. Good luck.

OldScribbler · 21/05/2026 17:58

They have found the short cut to bankruptcy.

grizzlyoldbear · 21/05/2026 17:54

What a rude twat.
It's already rude to ask you to come earlier, let alone the rest of it. Pure entitlement. I'm so sorry that happened.

RosaMundi27 · 21/05/2026 17:53

Find the salon on googlemaps and leave an honest review of the appalling treatment you received. Google reviews, as long as they're legal, won't be taken down. You could do it in your real name and use it for leverage to get some money refunded. The hairdresser was totally wrong here and I can understand why you're so upset.

BuildbyNumbere · 21/05/2026 17:51

Why did she email rather than call … seems ridiculous. People aren’t checking emails every 5 minutes!!

Voneska · 21/05/2026 17:45

Go back in person, when you know she's THERE!!!!..... In front of others. Make sure you have time to hang around. ( You will be able to see this through if you are unusually, cool, calm, collected. As when you're ULTRA COOL it gives people the herby jeebeys) Stay until you get A decent refund, or a full refund if you lay it on thick) THIS TYPE OF THING IS GOOD FUN!!!!! IF you approach it right. Ha ha ha ha ha

AccidentalPrawnYouFool · 21/05/2026 17:43

That is absolutely diabolical! I’d write a letter before action and tell them that If they do not refund that you’ll take them to small claims court. And then give them a really scathing review. (ChatGPT for both LBA and review!!)

ihearyoucalling · 21/05/2026 17:42

FairKoala · 21/05/2026 17:35

Why are you having your hair dyed when you are pregnant?

Jesus Christ

Voneska · 21/05/2026 17:41

Go back in person, when you know she's THERE!!!!..... In front of others. Make sure you have time to hang around. ( You will be able to see this through if you are unusually, cool, calm, collected. As when you're ULTRA COOL it gives people the herby jeebeys) Stay until you get A decent refund, or a full refund if you lay it on thick) THIS TYPE OF THING IS GOOD FUN!!!!! IF you approach it right. Ha ha ha ha ha

Larrythecatforpm · 21/05/2026 17:40

I would go back in and demand a bloody refund before you plaster a bad review online, cheeky bitch.

Imthefunfriend · 21/05/2026 17:40

Yes I would and then I would write a review detailing what happened.

Howdidlifegetsobusy · 21/05/2026 17:36

i would start by emailing them to confirm the conversation you had so far, and request th refund again in writing, or to receive the fully booked service, and correct the poor haircut.

which have good advise around consumer law. Also the email trail of her asking you to attend earlier will assist you.

you can then mention you will have not choice but to look at a chargeback.
you may have to look at chargeback rules on value and whether you laid by credit or debit card (different rules).

but definitely do not return to the hairdresser, and also leave a google review.

Monzo1ss · 21/05/2026 17:35

Just raise a chargeback with your bank

some hairdressers think they are above the law.

I remember I had issues with hairdresser A at salon B. He did my extensions badly amongst other things. He then left the salon with zero notice.

I complained to the salon, they upheld my complaint and basically booked an appointment in with a different stylist, whilst waiting for new hair extensions which did not arrive in time. So I got charged for that 2nd hair appointment even though no service was provided (because their supplier did not deliver them on time.)

So, I raised TWO chargebacks with my bank against the salon. One about the appointment with hairdresser A, then one about the new cancelled but charged in full appointment. Got my money back for both, region of over £400.

mounjaroatlast · 21/05/2026 17:35

She was completely in the wrong. If you want to get hold of somebody in a hurry you telephone them, or text rather than emailing. Not everyone checks their emails regularly, why should they?

I would go for a chargeback, and definitely look for another salon. She was extremely unprofessional and rude. Make sure that the salon owner knows the full story because it reflects badly on her business name.

FairKoala · 21/05/2026 17:35

Why are you having your hair dyed when you are pregnant?