AIBU that this hairdresser's policy is OTT

[NotABeliever]

I've received this email from my hairdresser's salon. I want to clarify that it wasn't directed to me specifically, it was sent to all their clients. I also want to clarify that I don't take my DCs to have their hair cut at this salon - way too expensive! I just think it's completely OTT and unfair to charge for the appointment but would be curious to see what people think.

"Hello All,

Parents be alert!

Head lice infections are seriously increasing and here at (name of salon) we again turning away approximently 4 children per week.

We have no wish to see any parent or the innocent victim embarrassed as it makes all concerned uncomfortable.

Please, before bringing your child into the salon be 100% certain that it won’t be you. Be proactive and we suggest treating the condition as follows experthealthreviews.com/head-lice-treatments with weekly inspections.

Please appreciate for Health & Safety regulations we are compelled to ask and perform a visual inspection, if the outcome is negative then we will have to refuse the appointment however there will still be a full charge for the lost service and time so better to be safe than sorry.

Finally, we also have an in-salon fact sheet available on request or by email.

Thanks again and let’s work together!

Best wishes"

Ha Haribo I guess you live and learn! I’ve never in my life paid a deposit for a hair cut. And I definitely wouldn’t for a kids haircut.

It's not just because it would cause "financial hardship" to the budineds. This attitude towards self-employed folk really pisses me off. My self-employed husband (not a hairdresser) has clients cancel with not a thought to the fact that he will be out of pocket and that their appointment could have been given to someone else if he'd known in advance. I think the hairdressers are being perfectly reasonable.

MIL owns a salon and has 2 chairs out the back for children's hair cuts as they tend to relax and sit quieter out there than on the main salon floor. This also has the perk of meaning if anyone does have lice only having to shut off that room to clean and disinfect etc rather than the whole salon.

But they do charge 50% if someone turns up with lice as most of the hairdresser's are self employed and can't afford to lose money just because someone hasn't checked their child's hair.

business

Why should the salon lose out on 50%?

How would you feel if you turned up for work, did a full shift and then the company said we're only paying you for half the day?

Same thing goes for hairdressers. You've booked their time, if you can't get there or waste their time, you still owe them money.

My stylist and I were discussing this on my appointment last Saturday, coincidentally. She told me that if they have a customer in the salon and discover lice, the state regulations are that they have to not only send that person away, but they have to clean and sanitize every station in the salon, and all the equipment (combs, brushes, etc.). I don't know if it's that severe there, but I can see how it would be extremely inconvenient to have to deal with. I mean, how would you feel if you went to the salon for a haircut and got lice?

Perfectly fine. YABU

So you think it's too expensive to take your kids there but think the hairdresser should miss out on income from 4 x appointments because kids turn up with nits?

That's absolutely fair. It's not the hairdressers fault the kids came in with lice, they shouldn't have to take on the cost of a missed appointment. If the parents bothered to check before there'd be no issue.

YABU. That email is eminently sensible and fair.

But they mention that numbers are increasing so perhaps they worry that without this email it'll go up to 8 a week. I think it's reasonable.

I thought it was a well worded and very reasonable letter and YABU to expect not to pay but I'm not surprised to hear it - I'm a childminder and have had numerous parents over the years who have argued over my sickness payment terms ie child sick you still pay as they simply can't understand why they should still pay me if their child isn't coming. Urrrm because I don't have a ready supply of children to fill last minute vacancies and whilst I love my job, it's not a bloody hobby or pocket money sideline

I’m self employed. I am charging full price for anycancelled appointment with less than 24hours. So that would incl you turning and being unable to get the service because of an issue coming from YOU.

In my experience, this is, unfortunately, the only way to ensure people arent taking the mick.

I also suspect the reason for that is that they’ve seen a sharp increase and people have been grumbling (what? you cant cut my dc’s hair? Why, what’s the issue? Along side the why shouod I pay for a service I didn’t get?)
Blame it on people who are a pain to deal with.

YABVU
I think it's a well worded email. And I would expect to pay full price for a missed appointment, which is in effect what it is as the hairdresser can't exactly give it to another person at that point.

It's not about "financial hardship" it's making a loss. They still have to pay someone their time even if there is no hair to cut. Plus, it's surely more of a deterrent. Surely parents should check their kids hair!

Can you imagine how horrid that is having to deal with that many children with head-lice each week. Eck!

So YABU, I believe the email was fine and support their policy.