How do I dump my hairdresser?

[HeboreoMaltian]

I've been going to my hairdresser for about five years.
She's self-employed in a one-person unit so haircuts are just the two of us basically in a cupboard.

I have an appointment booked for next weekend.

But I want to change. I've booked an appointment with another salon. I need to cancel my original hairdresser.

How? What do I say? It's so awkward. And now its quite last-minute. I was thinking of just saying something's come up, will reschedule and then just never texting again 😩Seems like a cowards way out though.

Sounds like a perfect solution to me....

She's your hairdresser, not your best friend. Just cancel the appointment and forget about it.

Yes, just cancel.
You dont owe her anything.
A simple i need to cancel, sorry.

If she asks why then something's come up
Do you want to rebook
No thanks
Is everything ok
yes thanks

You can change your hairdresser at any point. It’s pretty poor to make an appointment, then book another elsewhere and just cancel in my opinion. You should have simply not booked last time.

I’d either cover the costs this time, and not booked last again or go this last time and either not booked or simply say you’re going elsewhere ( make up a reason if you want to ).

I had to do this recently , I felt my custom was being taken for granted ie they always fitted me ‘ around ‘ others in the salon so my appointments took forever and my hair was washed and conditioner was left in making it really sticky , all in all I wanted to go somewhere else . When I went to pay they said when would you like your next appointment so I said let me get back to you as I have a lot going on atm. I never contacted them again and ignored a missed call about a week later . I’ve used another salon now and never looked back .

I booked my appointment eight weeks ago at my last one.

I've been dreading it and this week got a surge of energy to actually do something about it and change.

Just cancel and don't rebook. I had to do this after a dreadful hair cut and no regrets!

You are massively overthinking this.

She is a hairdresser, you are a client, not a friend. Just call and cancel.

How last minute is it? I have to say if it’s a day or two away, that’s really short notice and I’d feel bad about cancelling. So I’d go to this one, but don’t book another appointment. Postpone the new hairdresser for your next appointment in 3 months or whatever.

The way I read the OP it's just over a week until the booked appointment with original hairdresser. I think most people wouldn't expect to cover the appointment cost if they cancelled that far in advance.

Hairdressers should be used to people disappearing and also if they're any good they'll be taking on new clients too. If they're no good they'll lose clients & they should realise why! I shopped around when my previous hairdresser couldn't fit me in. I found a cheaper hairdresser who was much quicker too so had to dump the other one. I had to walk past my old one sometimes & felt a bit guilty when she gave me a wave!

whatever you do, do it now rather than waiting any longer so she has the chance to book someone else in.

why do you want to change?

I'd go with the 'something's come up, need to reschedule' thing personally but it would be useful to have a response ready incase she messages you to chase in a few months or you bump into her at the supermarket.

Yes, fair enough.

You’re massively overreacting. Just cancel.

Just cancel. You're way outside the period during which you would need to pay a cancellation fee. This is not your friend!

I changed after 15 years with a very top level well known London hairdresser. I felt they just slapped on the same colour I’d had for years and dismissed my comments about the need for change. I paid the same vast amount as everyone else but was in and out the appointments as fast as they could get me. I just cancelled the next appointment and got a couple of calls which I ignored, then nothing. Don’t overthink it OP.

Yep I agree with pps. I had a similar thing - been going to same hairdresser for years. She was lovely but I was just a bit done with the salon and the prices! I messaged to cancel and said I was going to wait a while for my next hair appointment as I needed to save some money. She replied to say that's fine. I never heard from her again and I didn't message her either. We forget that we are one of many, many clients and they don't genuinely care about us really, but for us, we only have one hairdresser so we tend to overthink!

Just cancel it.

I’ve changed hairdressers loads of times. Sickness and diarrhoea is a good excuse, tell them you need to get over it before booking anything.

Two years ago I found the most wonderful hairdresser, but she’s retired early at 61 due to poorly elderly parents. I’m gutted, it’s the longest I’ve stayed with a stylist. Her daughter colours my hair at the salon and her mum says she’ll be able to cut my style, I do hope so 🤞

My appointment is next weekend - like Saturday 12/Sunday 13 weekend.

She's a 20-minute walk away.
She's incredibly slow and disorganised.
She talks non-stop about nonsense.
She talks really loudly so I always come away with a headache.
She never seems to be fully concentrating.

I just can't face another half-day of my life [and £150] for this experience 😂

ONLY on Mumsnet do people angst over this.

Applogise for cancelling say you’ll be in touch to reschedule when things calm down, and never contact them again.

Sorry OP but I dont understand this mentality at all.

I switch back and forth between hair stylists all the time- never been an issue at all. I get bored being with the same person. Why is it a big deal to simply cancel and never go back?

what exactly do you think will happen- will she be in tears sobbing on the phone, begging you to reconsider? be thrown into a deep depression that necessitates medication? will she be so utterly destroyed by your absence that she will end up becoming a hermit and moving to the outer Hebrides, never to return to civilisation again? You could always give her the number for the samaritans if you are that worried.

It's a fucking hair cut. Its not that deep.

It's really not that awkward. Just cancel. You don't need to give a reason. Then don't book again.

I bet they won't notice. And if they do they'll know you've either chosen to go elsewhere or can't afford professional hairdressing right now. Neither of which are her business and happen with clients in that industry all the time.

I've changed hairdresser at least 5 times over the last 15 years. Each time was due to them annoying me in one way or another!

It's simple, cancel the appointment and move on. You are only 1 of probably 100 clients and will soon be forgotten about.

(Current hairdresser on thin ice as she was bitching about another client last time which doesn't sit well with me!)

I'd phone and cancel, giving any old excuse. Then I just wouldn't contact her again. If she says anything I'd say my mum (or anyone) had bought me a voucher for a different salon so you'll be in touch when you need it doing. At that point I'd block her unless I had to bump into her regularly.