or do you think this is what is known as a "f*** off quote" ?

[pookamoo]

Well not so much a quote but you'll see what I mean...

DD is 2.7 and so far we've not had her hair cut. It could do with a tidy up, and I thought "ok, let's take her in"

I haven't had my own hair cut for more than a year now, but we were in town today and so we popped in to the place where DH goes. Unisex salon, not particularly expensive, he pays about £9 for his short back and sides.

DD has very fine baby hair, and could do with having the ends cut off to make it a bit tidier, more like a bob than a straggle! I'm not quite brave enough to do it myself, and I have doubts she would sit still for me. She has been there with DH when he has his cut, and sits quietly in her pushchair watching what happens. I explained it would be a bit like when she had her face painted at a fete a couple of weeks ago, and she agreed that sounded ok. She sat beautifully for the lady that time, so I know she can do it.

Anyway, the salon was empty, and the staff were drinking tea. I spoke to a man who I understand to be the owner. How much do you think he told me it would be?

£17.50

I was a bit embarrassed, and even asked him if he was serious, but apparently they don't have a "separate pricing structure for children" which I can understand for a school age child who actually has hair that needs a style, but whoa...

He just didn't want to do it, did he?

Incidentally, I asked in the other hairdressers in town, and he said he is a men's barber and wouldn't do it. A bit when I know my friend takes her long haired 3 year old son there, but still.

So poor DD said sadly to me as we walked back to the car "I'm a bit too little Mummy - I will have to grow a bit and then they will cut my hair" Now trying to summon up the courage to do it myself!

Was the salon being unreasonable (he could have just said sorry we don't cut small children's hair) or was I being naive?

I live near a town that has a hairdressering salon just for children, and they charge a tenner a time. Obviously I wouldn't take a toddler there, but my 5 year old is very happy with the results and the lolly he gets given afterwards. They make the children feel very special there, and it is entirely kitted out for them.

I used to cut my son's hair, and it gets easier the more you practice. Give it go!

DDs hair is very fine and grows too long at the sides compared to the top and back, ive always just gave the sides a wee trim myself luckily her hair is curly so if ive done it wrong its not too noticeable.

i took my nephew for his first few haircuts and was around 4.50 but once went on the weekend and was 12.50 as it was a saturday i would have paid it but my mum wouldnt stop nagging on loudly about the price and the girl eventually just charged a fiver .

A salon near Cambridge, Matthew Lewis, recently charged mine for a full wash, cut and blow dry at £23 each even though:

a) they were all of 10 minutes in the chair
b) they did not wash or blow dry the kids' hair, just spritzed it with some water before cutting it, and
c) they did children's prices but just didn't want to charge them that day (in an empty salon).

I was fuming.

They won't last long round here IMO. The other salon almost next door charges £11 for the works. And does better cuts.

That's outrageous. My husband's hairdresser does DS's fringe for free and charges £5 if he needs a back trim as well (DS is 2). This is in London (Highgate).

Gah. I would have called his bluff and paid it, but made sure he did a great job, perhaps getting him to make some amendments (sorry, Sir, could you do more of a graduated style? I'm thinking Victoria Bekham not Ann Widecombe) etc and make a meal of it. "For £17.50, I'm sure you'll understand that we expect a proper salon style and make a right nuicance of yourself. Then find somewhere else next time.

I pay a tenner at our local old-ladies wash and set type salon with metal floor and black chairs jobby and they are not so slick they think they can charge more not so crap I have to take out a separate insurance policy to set foot in the door

I paid 45 pounds to have my 4 year old's hair done.

She has an afro, and it took 3.5 hours including a trip to Tesco to buy conditioner. It was with a mobile hairdresser, she cleaned, combed, dried, cut and plaited it and gave me a lesson on how to do it myself. I'd willing pay the same again.