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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To intend to ask for compensation for a really bad hair cut?

84 replies

Karenthetoadslayer · 14/01/2015 14:34

I am currently applying for a new job and I was desperate for a hair cut. Nothing fancy, just one inch off all the way round. My hair is straight and very easy to cut, below shoulder length.

A massive chunk has been chopped off right at the font and my hair on the right side of my face is now about three inches shorter than the rest.

The only thing I can do is pin it back on this side and curl my hair in order to hide the damage somewhat, but it still looks bad and is very noticeable.

This will take about three to four months to grow back. Short hair is not an option.

I am really upset about this. Especially as I don't need any more stress in my life at the moment. And I need to find a new job. I look like a plucked chicken.

AIBU to ask for compensation - for extensions?

OP posts:
tidytidy · 14/01/2015 15:23

You could buy clip in extensions for the side piece but ultimately you will need it cut the same length as the shorter side

Original poster
Karenthetoadslayer · 14/01/2015 15:27

Sorry, I had no idea how extensions work. I thought you could just stick them on to the short side to 'make it longer'.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 14/01/2015 15:29

Seeing it was you posting I wondered if he was lurking somewhere, can imagine this was the last straw that day.

yellowdinosauragain · 14/01/2015 15:30

Altinkum if you actually read the op properly you'll see that the op very clearly explains what she wants the compensation for.

Op wait and see what the manager says. If they think extensions would correct the problem fair enough. From extensions I've seen I doubt it. Hopefully they'll be able top make it look better.

I too have had a hair cut that I was delighted with at the time and only realised one side was shorter than the other when I styled it myself the next day. So it's not as far fetched as it sounds. I wonder if you've parted your hair in a different place as this might make one side appear shorter?

InfinitySeven · 14/01/2015 15:32

No, unfortunately they don't work like that.

A hairdresser did this to be just over 2 years ago now. Tied my hair up trying to show me how I could pull of a really chic bob (despite me telling them over and over again that I love my hair long), and "Accidentally" cut the whole lot off.

They tried to level it out, and I left as soon as I could to avoid crying. I didn't even let them dry it.

Showed DP and he really tried to be positive but couldn't, which made the crying worse. He went back and they agreed to see me to see what they could do, but said they wouldn't offer compensation because "She seemed okay when she left the salon."

They couldn't do anything, really. I could have a full head of extensions but it was heavy and hard work, and likely to damage my hair. The cost was about £350, too. They offered to pay half for another salon to do it, but the other salon warned that my hair would grow strangely with extensions.

I feel your pain. I haven't had my hair cut since...it really needs it, but I'm too scared. It has grown back to a decent-ish length now, though.

chipsandpeas · 14/01/2015 15:50

if you hair is that short then the extension probably will be noticable anyway so may not be an option

Altinkum · 14/01/2015 15:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HerRoyalNotness · 14/01/2015 15:59

I can totally see how this could happen.

I was getting a haircut before leaving a country to go to my wedding(!) and just wanted a tidy up of the style I had. The hairdresser picked up scissors instead of thinning ones and went CHOP! I kind of gasped and looked Shock. It was on top and I thought I could style it to hide it, but it looked like a mullet!

I ended up getting a refund and a manicure. And then had my hair fixed by a wonderful hairdresser in another country. But I don't mind short hair, so not sure what you can do other than try to disguise it or get it all short.

Isthatwhatdemonsdo · 14/01/2015 16:22

Speaking as an ex hairdresser, you won't get compensation. The manager has offered to fix it for you and give you a refund. That's the best your more than likely going to get I'm afraid.

Original poster
Karenthetoadslayer · 14/01/2015 16:52

It seems that generally speaking hairdressers seem to get away with doing a bad job more than any other profession.

I think the hairdresser did not pay much attention herself. The salon is within a complex and all the time she was calling out to people who she saw walk past and chat to them.

Thank you all for your helpful comments and telling me your own experiences - and explaining about extensions. Smile.

Yes, donkeys and Nanny it was the last straw that day.

OP posts:
Palooza · 14/01/2015 17:10

you can't get extensions on just one side (it would look awful), plus the maintenance is very expensive and so on. It sucks but all I can suggest is either letting the manager recut, asking for them to pay for a cut at a different salon and reimburse you and/or getting creative with head scarves etc Sad

Summerisle1 · 14/01/2015 17:16

You can't really claim compensation, especially as you had the opportunity to complain at the time but didn't. However, you are certainly owed a refund. I'd be rather cautious about letting anyone at this particular salon try and put what I suspect was a ham-fisted attempt at an asymmetric bob right though. Take it somewhere else and get advice on extensions (probably not a workable solution) and a restyle.

MissDuke · 14/01/2015 17:26

Karen I agree, I think the problem is that they aren't answerable to any overseeing body or anything like that. Seems a shame as it really is a very responsible profession, with the chemicals etc.

BMW6 · 14/01/2015 18:32

Well, it's not permenant damage, since hair grows. I think the hairdresser (manager) offer to re-cut to even it out and a refund is fair enough.

So - compensation for what? Distress?? Surely not Hmm

alwaysstaytoolong · 14/01/2015 18:42

No you can't claim for compensation as you suffered no injury or financial loss.

You can ask for a refund or for them to attempt to rectify but that's it.

This happened to me a few years ago when the hairdresser attempted to 'thin out' my thick curly hair and I was left with what looked like a mullet!.

It was a cheap cut so I just tied it back for months, chalked it up to experience and didn't go to that salon again.

Original poster
Karenthetoadslayer · 14/01/2015 19:03

I think there should be compensation for suffering distress due to bad hair cuts - absolutely. Grin

It's not the hairdresser who has to suffer this haircut for months and months.

It is not a physical injury, of course, but nevertheless it causes distress.

Especially when it is important for a change what I look like. Just this once.

OP posts:
Pumpkinpositive · 14/01/2015 19:10

My concern would be if its really as bad as you say, hairdresser will say that is not the way she cut your hair and you must have done it yourself when you got home in order to try your luck for compo/extensions. Otherwise you would have flagged up the issue at the time.

quietbatperson · 14/01/2015 19:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

maggiethemagpie · 14/01/2015 20:26

I really can't understand how you didn't notice at the time, despite your explanation. I had a 'hair-don't' at a new salon a few months ago and had to stop myself from punching the stylist in the face once I realised she had cut off far more than I'd asked for. I didn't get a refund but I did badmouth her all over the salon's facebook page!

ThrowAChickenInTheAir · 14/01/2015 20:38

Over the last year I have had two poor haircuts and a third truly shockingly bad one. I am starting to believe that there are an awful lot of incompetent hairdressers in action out there Hmm

Not sure what's the answer is because by the time you know they can't cut hair for toffee the damage is done. The last cut I had is going to take months probably a year to grow out.

Yes it is distressing to have a rubbish haircut. There should be better protection/recourse for customers who have suffered poor experiences in salons. Offering to re-do it isn't always a good solution either. I wouldn't let the last person who cut my hair within 10miles of my hair again.

Sympathies op. Many of us have been there Sad

Original poster
Karenthetoadslayer · 14/01/2015 20:48

It's a nuissance! Every time I go past a mirror I tug and pull my hair and tuck it behind my ear etc to try and hide it. Within seconds it all falls forward straight into my face again. She must have stuck it on with hairspray.

OP posts:
FrancesNiadova · 14/01/2015 20:49

Oh Karen, KOKO, it's not fair & the last thing that you needed at the moment.
All of this is just a period of time that you have to get through. Just keep going.
I thought Toad had a non-mol order & couldn't come into your house? I'm not surprised that you were distracted.
Think about where you'll be in 12 months time & keep your eyes on that horizon.
FlowersFlowersFlowers

GingerCuddleMonster · 14/01/2015 20:52

could be worse she could have accidentally shaved a chunk off and then both of you pull this face Shock and you end up with a pixy cut and colour admittedly for free and just laugh about it in the end, but that's my story.

the manager has offered to have a look and refund, there's not much more that can be done. Extensions won't blend well probably and the manager can't make your hair grow magically. Just chalk it up to one of those things.

TSSDNCOP · 14/01/2015 21:13

I'd let the manager take a look. You'll be surprised what a really good stylist can do. My stylist (who admittedly I pay a fortune for) totally changed my very short hairstyle last week. All this week people have commented on how much it's grown!

The moral of the tale though is that one area of life you don't compromise on is your choice of stylist.

WitchesGlove · 14/01/2015 22:10

Wear a wig until it grows back?