Shocked that hairdresser cancelled my appt because I was late!

[Adnerb95]

1st time at a new hairdressers this afternoon. Appointment was at 4:15pm for a cut and blow dry. I work 20 mins away, left in plenty of time but there had been an accident and so major traffic delays. I ended up arriving at the salon 8 mins late to be told by the stylist that she wouldn't be able to do my hair now, because she had another client at 5pm"and the turnaround is very tight".

I was almost speechless - never had that response before on the (rare!) occasions over the years when I have been a few minutes late.

It got worse. I was desperate to have a haircut so suggested that we forget the blowdry and I just have a dry cut. "We don't do that" . "Well, why not do a wet cut? That way, there is still plenty of time, since you won't be blow drying my hair, before your next client"

"We don't do that"

.??????????????.

I think this is not only ridiculous but completely unreasonable or is it me?

I have emailed the owner in advance of posting a public review to give her a chance of responding. In the meantime, I have now booked with another salon for a couple of days time (checked their policy - "we wouldn't cancel an appointment unless a client was at least 15 mins late")

Not only do the first salon have a very disgruntled customer who will certainly not recommend them, but they have lost my business for the next 4/5 years, probably. I was looking for a replacement for my lovely hairdresser of the last 7 years who has left for Scotland. So pretty naff commercial decision as well.

chestervase 1.

most sick people value their appointments and do not arrive late.
I and most doctors and nurses would work late and unpaid to help sick people.

Empress, it looks as though we're in a minority here - we're supposed to put up with our hair looking shit because the hairdresser can't tell what they're doing without drying hair.

I can see the plus side when I read threads about people having to spend ages with dryers & straighteners, Pink.

I can put up with a quick blast after a wet cut because then I can go straight home & wash it. I just make it clear on booking that I'm not paying for something I don't want.

You were late. I am always a little early for mine and I hate it when the client in front of me is nowhere near getting their hair finished and the hairdresser apologies she' s now running late for me because her customer sat in the chair was 'a little late' ......

I agree with the salon. They wouldn't want to wet/dry cut your hair and not finish it because they often need to trim a little after the dry.

Can you imagine how you'd have reacted if when you got home and blow dried it and it wasn't how you wanted it?

Suck it up buttercup and move onto another hairdresser.

The point about the phoning is that its worth pulling in to make the phonecall even if it does make you more late . The hairdresser then knows you are running late and by how much and can try to accommodate you. If there is no phonecall then they may just think you are a no show or will be 20 mins late.

Shame that she didn't even try to accommodate you. I wouldn't go back. I think it is right to leave an honest review. I would want to see how accommodating a new hairdresser is when booking an appointment.

Shame that she didn't even try to accommodate you. I wouldn't go back. I think it is right to leave an honest review. I would want to see how accommodating a new hairdresser is when booking an appointment.

Even stationary in traffic if youre stuck? Or walking from the parking lot to the hairdresser? Im in the USA, its legal to call and drive handsfree here so sorry for not knowing the laws in another country.

And why would the hairdresser not call the client and see if they were on their way?

bradley

Yes, even when stationery in the UK. You can use hands-free but that still involves a) having wifi to find the number and b) stopping to dial the number ...impossible without a major diversion on this route.
Which would make me even later.

As for when walking from the parking lot, that took thirty seconds and would have taken longer if I had stopped to find the number.

I feel for you OP as can imagine it was a massively frustrating situation.

I don't agree that the hairdresser or the salon are to blame though. To all those saying it's tit for tat after they've been kept waiting in a salon - this salon are trying to avoid this very scenario as much as possible.

It's also entirely their decision whether or not to offer dry cuts or wet cuts without a blow dry and unless your hairdresser was the salon owner it's unlikely this was her decision.

It doesn't sound like they handled it especially well though and perhaps your hairdresser has become defensive expecting your response. The explanation of the next customer wasn't great either - although it's not a question of them picking her over you, they have an obligation to her to keep to their time slot and you'd missed your's.

In the end the salon have missed out on money they could have had from another client so it would add insult to injury to post a negative review - though I often read negative reviews with a pinch of salt and sometimes even feel gutted on the business owner's part when they've made what they believe to be the best decision for their clients and someone has been unreasonable.

I work in a customer facing role and have seen members of my team in tears before after an unfair comment.

Still massively annoying for you OP though re the traffic, I'd have been so upset (though not with the salon :) )

You should have rang the salon while you were stuck in traffic and told them you'd be 10 mins late that would've given them an idea and a chance to tell you if they'd still be able to see you. Perhaps they were having a regular customer at 5pm and had you informed them of lateness they'd have been able to let their next customer know of a slight delay?

deidre

If you had RTFT you would know this suggestion has been made and answered several times.

Illegal and dangerous!

OP - might have missed this - were you parked right outside the salon (e.g. pointless phoning once you had parked and were walking to the appt)?

Sorry if I missed that part.

Yes, the parking is immediately adjacent to the salon - so no point once parked in ringing.

I'm assuming most people have hands free options in their cars?

And usually people have telephone numbers in their recent contacts list unless another form of communication was used. Most hair salons send reminder texts, so that is also another way of contacting them if you don't have time to look their number up.

Agree with Sunbeam too

Also, that is why it's always important to be 10-15 mins early for appointments- to avoid things like this from happening.