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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Advice please - I want to complain

21 replies

dreamofstrawberriesandcream · 16/06/2012 17:32

I went for a haircut today (a restyle from quite long - around my shoulder blades - to chin length.) I had booked into Toni & Guy because I thought it would be worth spending some more money for a really good cut. I've lived in this area for about ten months but I visit family fairly regularly in my hometown so I just carried on using the hairdresser I'd always used, so this is actually the first time I've booked into a salon in my new location.

It was an absolutely horrible experience. The first thing that happened was I had my hair cut in icy cold water. The girl washing my hair did say, "Sorry, our hot water has gone," but not in an "ooh, I'm really sorry way" - just really blithely and casually. Then she asked if I'd like a conditioning treatment, I assumed she meant conditioner so I said yes. What it actually meant was I had to sit with this 'treatment' on for ten minutes, and I was absolutely freezing (it really isn't warm today!) After about five minutes I was so cold and uncomfortable I begged asked her to take it off so I could sit down and she snapped, "Your hair is very dry and it needs a treatment!" and walked off.

When she was cutting my hair, she started by quizzing me about where I usually got my hair cut and I explained I hadn't lived in the area for very long so this was my first visit (and last, I was thinking!) She then asked why I'd moved - fair question, but a slightly touchy subject. I moved because I suffered horrific workplace bullying in my last job, it really was a very unhappy episode in my life and made me quite ill with stress, although I got through without taking time off, the scars are still quite raw if you like. So I said "oh, for work," and left it at that. The next question was what I did - I told her and she was absolutely interrogating me, or that's what it felt like. Could I not do that where I was from, why here, why not somewhere else (I teach so obviously could feasibly teach anywhere but I didn't actually have very long to find a job) and in the end I snapped, "I'd sooner not talk about it, actually!" It's very unlike me to be rude, but really, I was nearly in tears by then!

My haircut is absolutely awful - it isn't just that I don't like the way the style looks on me, there is no shape or cut to it at all, she's just made it shorter but I wanted a style, and I showed pictures of the sort of thing I had in mind.

Then to add insult to injury I got charged an extra £10 (on top of the £65!) for the bloody conditioning treatment!

I was upset and frazzled when I came out but I'm really annoyed now. Should I ring up the salon and complain (or am I BU - I don't think I am though!)

OP posts:
mumhaveuseenmy · 16/06/2012 17:37

sounds like a really bad hair day i guess u wont go there again

JumpingThroughHoops · 16/06/2012 17:38

Hairdressers are trained to ask banal questions. It starts with the washing girl, 15, asking if you are going out any where special tonight. However as hairdressing is quite 'intimate' and they need a feel for the customer - YABU to react to a litany of banal questions.

There are worse ones, the ones that want to talk about themselves. I pay for 2 hours in this chair and talking about ME is included in the price.

Or you can really do what I do and go to sleep and leave them to it.

happystory · 16/06/2012 17:39

If your hair doesn't look fabulous after a visit to a salon you should definitely complain. It's supposed to be a pampering experience which is not what I would call it if you were being doused in cold water!

My salon (also pricey) sometimes uses the 'conditioning' excuse if they are running a bit late and need you to wait for a stylist but it's always a pleasant time - and free, I might add! Sorry you are feeling so bad. Make sure you speak to the manager

lovebunny · 16/06/2012 17:40

i'm sorry you've had such a horrible experience. complain in writing so you can think about what you're saying and take it bit by bit.

have a sleep then wash your hair and do what you can with it.

then forget them. they aren't worth your time or energy.

dreamofstrawberriesandcream · 16/06/2012 17:42

I wouldn't have minded the banal questions so much if I'd had a decent haircut and hadn't sat shivering for twenty minutes! (and been charged extra for it!)

Seriously, that was a small part of it but it did get me wound up and upset and once you've given out a polite answer that doesn't elaborate five or six times surely people know to shut up!??

OP posts:
nizlopi · 16/06/2012 17:43

I would complain as the water was cold and she snapped at you. Plus if you're unhappy with her work, then yes, complain. I'm not sure she really meant to upset you with her conversation. Perhaps she's just shit.

jaffacake2 · 16/06/2012 17:43

Write and complain,you should have some refund just for having your hair washed in cold water I would have been furious !!

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 16/06/2012 17:44

I would complain, you showed her what you wanted and you didn't get it, sounds like a horrid experience - i hate the hairdressers though.

I have only complained once at a hairdressers, years ago when i had highlights but they were much blonder than i had wanted, they made me another appointment and sorted them out free of charge.

hiddenhome · 16/06/2012 17:45

Toni & Guy are always shite judging by the reviews on the 'net. They only have one haircut as well Confused Avoid in future. If you complain, they'll either argue with you or offer to redo it (more cold water torture). Just chalk it up to experience and don't go there again.

Tee2072 · 16/06/2012 17:47

Call, ask for the manager, and complain. Tell her exactly what you said in your OP.

They should offer at least some money back if not a whole new style for free.

RaPaPaPumPumBootyMum · 16/06/2012 17:49

I would definitely complain.

It sounds like an unpleasant experience and for what £65 for hair cut? Shock

That price is outrageous and I would expect to look all swishy and shiny like Cindy Crawford if I spent that amount on my hair! Not to be upset and disappointed!

Toni and Guy operate via their good reputation and word of mouth. I am sure the manager will want to hear of your experience and will compensate you in some way. The least they should do is correct the style for you.

I know it can be embarrassing and intimidating to complain, especially if you have to go back in to correct the mistake. But I once had a horrific hair cut with a new stylist at my regular hairdressers. I complained to the manager and she asked me to come back in to discuss. I gathered up all my nerve and went back and immediately the manager saw my hair she said oh yes, that is a pretty bad cut! She then corrected it for me [it was still far too short but at least was now in a flattering style] and also asked me to return for a free follow up cut when I wished to do.

I hope Toni and Guy look after you too. Complain, complain, complain [nicely!] and Good Luck OP!

dreamofstrawberriesandcream · 16/06/2012 17:51

Thanks :) Emailing now - I'm not going to mention the conversation as I do appreciate she wasn't to know, but I have said that I felt a little that I had to explain why it was my first time at the salon (which I did) which is awkward.

I could have left an abusive husband, or anything - what on earth is wrong with people just MOVING?

OP posts:
ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 16/06/2012 17:54

It sounds awful. A visit to the hairdresser's should be a pampering experience - have to say I'm never really comfortable with it but that's just a strange thi g about me.
And ime they're not really interested in talking - they respond and are polite and if you're lucky you find one you can actually have a conversation with for half an hour. Can't imagine being interrogated like that.
She sounds aggressive and incompetent.

I have to say, I would always avoid the likes of T&G and the big chains; they're notorious for bad training. But you know that now!

I've seen someone come back to my salon saying she wasn't happy with her highlights - they were 'a bit stripey,' although they looked fine to me, and two staff members were falling over themselves to make sure she left happy.

Be interesting to see what response you get should you complain. I've done it once, in a small independent salon, and the manager furiously re-cut my hair while making the hairdresser stand and watch. It was a fantastic haircut but I didn't have the balls to go back to him!

hiddenhome · 16/06/2012 17:54

peoples experiences with TG here

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 16/06/2012 17:58

Hidden, I've heard that about the one haircut Grin!

EasilyBored · 16/06/2012 18:05

I would complain about the cut, it happens all the time, any decent salon will re-cut it for you. I've been in and complained about a really bad dye job (dark purple/black turned to a blue rinse after two washes with their overpriced shampoo) and they fixed it free of charge.

sharklet · 16/06/2012 18:07

Definately complain, they should do something as they will clearly get pretty awful word of mouth from you if they don't. Banal conversation aside - the cold water with no warning and the cut which was not what you asked for are not good....

luckylavender · 16/06/2012 18:52

I went to T&G for a while (maybe about a year) when I was casting around looking for a new stylist and I absolutely hated it. On my second visit I found a stylist there I liked so that is why I stayed but I always felt patronised and treated shabbily by the other staff to be honest.

Portofino · 16/06/2012 19:02

I bloody hate the hairdressers. I would definitely complain about the treatment you received - and they should point the cost of "extras" before applying them.

geegee888 · 16/06/2012 19:08

YANBU at £65 for a haircut with no colour and cold water! The banal conversation is just par for the course for a hairdresser though.

I'd ask for my money back, I don't think I would want to go back in there again and risk letting them near my hair again!

ToothbrushThief · 16/06/2012 19:12

I'm still fuming about a haircut experience I had. Quoted £44 as an introductory offer but charged £80. Same MO talking all the time until I felt had no secrets and then changing plan of cut without warning me of the huge hike in price. I should have refused to pay but I stuttered and paid up whilst inwardly feeling sick because I'd only gone there for the special offer. I'll never go back

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