Missed hairdresser appointment

[Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain]

I missed my hairdresser appointment this morning. It wasn’t in my phone calendar and I actually didn’t think I’d booked it. Got a call off the hairdresser angry that I hadn’t contacted her. I do feel unwell.

Should I offer to pay her? I’ve also been quite depressed recently.

To be fair to me, when she rang I’d completely forgotten the appointment (as it wasn’t in my calendar) and I was caught off guard and didn’t think to offer payment.

I’m now going to ring back and pay the other hair though. As that’s fair.

Next appointment ask her to write it down for you a physical note will help you to remember even if you take a notepad/post it.

Half not hair!

I highly doubt she will let you book with her again after 2 no shows. The reason is irrelevant to the fact that this is how she pays her bills. She needs clients who turn up.

Even after I paid her and apologised?

OP, it sounds as if this isn't the first time you've missed an appointment with this hairdresser.
Illness happens, things happen, but you didn't contact her to let her know.
It's also a Saturday, probably her busiest day, so I get why she's upset.

I just said in pp that this appointment wasn’t in my iPhone calendar. Nor written down. I had no idea I had an appointment today.

It looks like I’ll have to find another hairdresser which is a shame as she’s so good. I also told her about my mental health issues eg why I missed the other appointment and she was really understanding and caring towards me.

I totally get why she was upset today though.

Also as I stated before, the previous time I was in a psychiatric unit, I wasn’t allowed to use my phone then. So in that case I couldn’t see appointments or ring her.

I think if you pay her for the appointment it will be fine. Going forward I would make sure you put it in your phone calendar whilst you’re actually there to avoid missing any future appointments.

I absolutely do not think you need to find an alternative hairdresser if you like her feel comfortable going, you sound like you have a hard enough time with your illness that looking for another hairdresser is the last thing you need to do,

That’s what I usually do, I swear I did it at my last appointment, back in February.

I don't think you need another hairdresser , what about offering the other half as a deposit for the next booking and perhaps some flowers .

Do you think I should explain to her that I am quite depressed?

That’s a good idea. 👍

Yes, even then. I'm sorry OP but you being depressed doesn't take away from the fact that she needs to get paid and cannot have clients who don't turn up. This is her job.

You can offer to pay in advance for all future bookings but personally I just wouldn't rebook you. It's hard enough being self employed as it is.

I would keep it light, just say you haven’t been feeling well lately.
Maybe ask for a written card as well as putting it in your diary for double measures.

I’m sure she’s having a busy Saturday at work OP, please don’t phone her to tell her how depressed you are or how your back is sore. Just make sure that in future you always ensure your appointments are in your phone.

Don't over think this now hun, v otherwise it will affect your mental health more. You've rang her up, apologised and gave her some of her costs, now focus on your day and getting better. We can't get it right all of the time.
Hope you feel better soon 💐💐

If you find she is funny about you booking again, offer to pay in full up front. I’m fairly sure if you’ve paid for something, you’ll remember doing so which means you are less likely to forget to go to it - and if you do forget, she won’t get out of pocket.

Good hairdressers are worth their weight in gold. Definitely make sure she knows you are sorry and how you plan to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I understand the first time you weren’t in a position to call her, and if she’d not been understanding I’d have said she was being a dick. But this second time is on you. You’re trying to excuse it, but it’s on you to remember to add an appointment to your calendar, to set any reminders you need etc. it’s not her fault that you didn’t do those things. Yes, mistakes happen - we all forget things. But you have to own that mistake. Making excuses of “well I do actually feel unwell” (clearly this isn’t the reason for not going or you’d have called to cancel) or “it wasn’t in my phone” is trying to shift the blame. That might be why she was angry.

Going forward, tell her you are having health problems which affect your memory, and would like to pay in advance every time you book from now on. No need to find a new hairdresser. 🌻

If you have solid T&Cs, you can take them to small claims court. First, you send them a notice of late payment letter stating that they have X days (usually 7 to 14) to pay in full and if they don’t, then you have no choice but to use small claims court to force them to adhere to the T&Cs they agreed to before service. If the bill is £300 or less, the court cost is only £35 to file, and remind them they will be responsible for their whole initial bill plus any court costs you incur while seeking payment of the debt. You have to make ignoring it no longer an option for them. I usually recommend two late payment type letters and the second one should say “Final Notice!” on the outside in BIG sparkly letters. (sorry if you’re already doing all this!)

I agree with all of this. You’ve come to an amicable agreement OP. Try not to fret (coming from the person who overthinks everything, but still …)

I get it, OP. Paying the other half as a deposit for your next appointment and sending flowers or just a card is a great idea. I think your plan makes up for your mistake nicely and you can both move forward. If not, it is her problem.

My stylist has my card details. She texts (on an automated system) 72 hrs ahead and I text back to confirm. Not sure if my appt would be held if I forgot to reply! Also, the text contains a reminder that a 50% charge will be taken for cancellation within 48 hrs of the appt.

I think this is a good combination, fair for everyone. If a client has a last minute emergency, the stylist should not lose out.

Take care and best wishes

I honestly find it so weird when hairdressers don’t send a reminder text, easy enough to do automatically. It prevents so many missed appointments and gives people the chance to cancel if needed.
Also yes to deposits or a card hold.

It doesn’t matter why. It’s still her livelihood. She has bills to pay.