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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:
Velumental · 20/05/2026 17:33

Do the charge back 100%, I know people are saying why did you accept it but pregnant, caught off guard, etc I can see why you couldn't process at the time

igelkott2026 · 20/05/2026 17:30

And this is why you shouldn't have to pay in advance.

Good luck with the chargeback OP.

BlueMum16 · 20/05/2026 17:28

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.

Id email them and thank them for letting you know and to look out for your SALON reviews.

Then post everywhere about your awful experience. But stick to facts.

AlohaRose · 20/05/2026 17:23

DeftGoldHedgehog · 20/05/2026 16:55

I'm a lawyer and even I don't necessarily complain when someone is wafting scissors or chemicals around my hair. It can be very awkward in a salon!

Exactly. By the time you realise how bad things are, you have half a head of colour or dripping wet hair and it's difficult to know how to extricate yourself from the situation. The OP did also say that she is 7 months pregnant and probably more emotional than usual.

GinaandGin · 20/05/2026 17:07

Oh what am awful experience. So sorry that happened

Blanketpolicy · 20/05/2026 17:05

Make sure to leave reviews (everywhere possible including all local facebook pages - be factual and accurate) also saying the salon is also not interested in any issues with stylists operating on their premises so there is nowhere to go for any dispute resolution and as you pay via the app there is no way to recover payment for a service you did not receive other than possibly small claims court.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 20/05/2026 16:55

I'm a lawyer and even I don't necessarily complain when someone is wafting scissors or chemicals around my hair. It can be very awkward in a salon!

Smartiepants79 · 20/05/2026 16:53

pilates · 20/05/2026 16:49

Why on earth did you accept this appalling behaviour at the time. You should have complained while you were in there.

I was wondering this. Why did you just let her behave like this? Why didn’t you just say - actually I booked a 2 pm appointment, if you’ve not got time to do it properly then I’ll come back next week…..

Dragonflyspeeding · 20/05/2026 16:52

Yes. And leave negative reviews everywhere so she won’t double book clients again.

LondonTipton99 · 20/05/2026 16:51

name and shame OP

pilates · 20/05/2026 16:49

Why on earth did you accept this appalling behaviour at the time. You should have complained while you were in there.

DJKATIE · 20/05/2026 16:46

Absolutely do a charge back, you have not received the service you have paid for, after the charge back is finalised (untill it can not be disputed ) you could offer to pay for what you did received ie, just the cost of the colour. Also please leave a review so others can avoid this very unprofessional hairdresser.

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?

CanaryLibra · 20/05/2026 16:40

Yes I would do a chargeback. Not only will you be refunded, but it will cost her roughly £18 in fees (I use Fresha as a service provider myself).

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:35

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:34

I’ve been researching and think that’s right. They take payment on behalf but can’t refund it and have no dispute service! Seems dodgy but true 😰

Fortunately it looks like if you do a charge back the business will be liable for the fees they incur from Fresha. Silver lining and all that.

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:34

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:22

I don't think Fresha can issue refunds themselves can they? I might be wrong but I think it needs to be the business that issues the refund through Fresha?

I’ve been researching and think that’s right. They take payment on behalf but can’t refund it and have no dispute service! Seems dodgy but true 😰

OP posts:
Metromayhem · 20/05/2026 16:32

Definitely charge back and leave a scathing review on every single place you can! Awful woman.

Georgiapeach21 · 20/05/2026 16:22

Absolutely and leave them a shitty review too!

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:22

I don't think Fresha can issue refunds themselves can they? I might be wrong but I think it needs to be the business that issues the refund through Fresha?

Howdoidoit100 · 20/05/2026 16:19

What awful treatment.

As you have already reached out directly and asked for a refund, I would contact [email protected] and explain the situation and request a refund.

The problem with charge backs is that the financial institution tends to open a case and then wait for you to send evidence etc. This process can sometimes take weeks only for the case to be closed 'not enough evidence' and by that point out of timeframe to go back to Fresha. Fresha must have a process for this.

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:12

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.

What absolutely horrible service. I would definitely do the charge back and I would be leaving a review. Factually stating that despite arriving early at her request your appointment was rushed and she sent you away with wet hair. Hopefully then she will think twice about her customer service skills, or lack of.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 20/05/2026 16:10

Definitely do a chargeback then. She sounds appalling.

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.

OP posts:
FionaFifferson · 20/05/2026 16:04

Thats ridiculous (and first time ive seen an unanimous AIBU!!)
Id like to think id have said "you clearly dont have time for me. Lets rearrange" and walked out 😅

OhBettyCalmDown · 20/05/2026 16:00

I’d absolutely escalate this complaint to the salon first. Show evidence of your original booking and tell them you want a refund. You prob won’t get a full one but they should return a decent portion. I’d be leaving a bad review if you don’t get this sorted and try and claim the money back if you get no joy with the salon as you haven’t actually received the service you paid for