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.

I changed hairdressers having been at the same salon for decades. I didn't have the same person all those years though as people moved on for various different reasons. I became unhappy with the last person however and eventually just didn't book another appointment and went elsewhere. I felt like I would ask for something a bit different but somehow always ended up walking out with the same old style regardless. I am much happier with my new hairdresser, although it is a bit more expensive.

Just message and say

”really sorry but going to have to cancel next weeks appointment”

and that’s it no explanation required. I wouldn’t say somethings come up. Just simply you have to cancel and you are sorry xx

You simply cancel the appointment. If it’s within the range that you should pay for the cancellation- pay it - then leave it be. You don’t need to explain anything.

I have this same issue and I find it really awkward! I've been going to mine for years (probably 10+) and I just don't know how to dump her! It feels different to any other service because you spend so much time chatting - I know we're not friends, but she still tells me things about her life and her family and so it feels more personal than just going to a different dentist or something..........
I keep telling myself she wouldn't care in the slightest, as she'll have people cancelling and stopping all the time, but I still feel bad about it!

Hi there, sorry but I have to cancel my appointment next <whenever>. I'll let you know about another booking, thanks. Maltian.

We might go to the same hairdresser 😂

Book with someone else.

It’s a service you’re paying for, if you’re not happy just cancel but do it sooner rather than later, for what you are paying you want a nice relaxing experience and to be happy with the service.

I’ve just had to do just this. My hairdresser is a lovely chap, really experienced and it all started so well but he went through some personal trauma and I felt like I was giving 4 hour counselling sessions, coming away much poorer and with either a dodgy cut or colour.

He used to snip then stand back and talk for 5 minutes, then there would be another snip. Inside I was screaming as I hate sitting still that long. if anyone came in, there would be a long interruption while they nattered about nonsense.

i did genuinely have to cancel my last appointment due to a work thing coming up, went to another hairdresser as he couldn’t reschedule me and omg so much better. Took half the time, is much more convenient and I got what I asked for. I’m going back next week.

I would just say somethings come up and you can’t make it but you’ll get back in touch once you get a min to book in. What if you don’t like the new hairdresser? I’d keep polite incase you need to go back. If you don’t, you don’t xx

Just out of interest, is this just a hairdresser thing or do people feel they owe others they deal with explanations or apologies instead of just swapping providers?

Is it general eg explaining to the milkman why you are cancelling having your milk delivered or is it a personal grooming thing eg hair, nails and waxing? Or is it a small business/sole trader thing?

I've never felt any sort of guilt in stopping buying something or obligation to keep buying it or give one last payment by way of apology. I just cancel (in accordance with any formal t&c if there are any) and walk away and never think of them again and assume they never think of me again either.

Cancel now.

It is really unfair to delay cancelling once you know you are going to cancel.

Just cancel - you don't need to give a reason, and say "I can't re-book now - I'll call you" - then if she chases you for an appointment say "Oh thanks for getting in touch - sorry to have to tell you my hairdresser friend moved back into the area and has agreed to do my hair from now on. You've been great, byeeeee"

Just cancel it and do it now, without wasting any more energy on it.
You don't want to go to her any more.

"Sorry but I'm going to have to cancel my appointment next weekend".

I work with clients and sometimes people just stop coming, for whatever reason. The vast majority give the required notice.
It's fine. You get used to it working in jobs like this.
If they want to go to another provider that's their choice.

£150!! Hope your new salon is cheaper!

I'd go cowards way! I can't see your hairdresser putting much thought or even noticing whether or not you reschedule, whereas dumping her just seems like feedback she can't do much with and will make her feel a bit crap for no real need.

For £150 you could go somewhere like Jo Hansford and get the full on glam Mayfair experience rather than being talked at in a cupboard.

I agree. You should go to the appointment you booked then don't book another appointment.

I agree with this.

I think it's quite specific to hairdressers.

I spend half a day with her every eight weeks where we talk about families, holidays, plans, health, all kinds of things. I don't know weird to explain.

I can guarantee that you don't mean as much to her as you think you do. Just say you're cancelling and trying someone new. If you say you'll rebook it's so obvious that you won't and will just be irritating. Treat her with respect and be honest.

Most hairdressers have a cancellation list so will be able to fill it if you cancel. You don’t need to say why.

I had this recently. I went to a lady who had a home based salon so it was always one to one appointments. The issue I had was she literally did not stop talking about herself from the second she opened her door to let me in. I could barely get a word in and I even had to stop her applying the bleach and interrupt her talking to tell her how I wanted my hair!
I would drive home three hours later with a banging headache and my ears bleeding. I lasted for two years. I used to dread the appointment and on the morning of the appointment on the way there, I would remind myself she's fairly cheap and always accommodating appointments wise.
But eventually I started to miss looking forward to going to the hairdressers and having the salon experience. I decided it was worth paying the extra cost to feel that it was a treat and a calm, more relaxing experience with not as much talking. I booked myself into a local salon I had been "following" on social media, and then messaged her to cancel my next appointment. I said that my husband had bought me a gift voucher for said salon for our anniversary and that I would get in touch to sort out my next appointment whenever my highlights needed doing after that. Obviously I never did book and she never chased me.

I hated ditching her as services like these especially with a mobile hairdresser feel very personal, as you get to know all about them and their family on a personal level (especially in my case going to a complete chatterbox) so no its definitely not the same as changing dentists or similar.

I actively change hairdressers every couple of years for the change. I do get the awkwardness though the lady I used previously messaged to let me know she had moved salons and looks forward to seeing me there believe it or not I was sat in the chair at my new place at the time 😆

Just phone up and tell them you have to cancel the appointment and tell them you will rearrange another. (In reality you’ve already arranged another with someone else, so you haven’t lied., 😂

As others said you are overthinking it a bit. All you have to say/message. Hi x, I am sorry I need to cancel my appointment on x day at x time. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. This is due to circumstances out of my control. Thanks