To be highly pissed off with Nail Salon wanting a £10 deposit at last minute (I know, first world problem)

[Whatdoesitmatteranyway]

I’ve had an appointment at a nail salon I’ve used a couple of times in the last two months. Appointment was made early last month and since then I’ve been in twice. Its for a full set of acrylics and at the same time shellac on toes.

Just received texts from them.

Them: Can you confirm your appointment tomorrow at xpm
Me: Confirmed
Them: Can you phone in today and pay £10 to secure your appointment
Me: I’m in meetings today for most of the day but will try to phone later but I can confirm full set of acrylics and shellac on toes
Them: If you can’t pay £10 we can’t guarantee the appointment
Me: I’ll do my best to call in later
Them: We need £10 or we can’t guarantee it

They didn’t ask for a deposit at the time of booking so AIBU to be pissed off over this. The building I’m in gets very very little mobile reception – just about enough to receive texts – forget about making a call. So I’m going to have to try to find time to exit the building (it’s a big one) and stand outside in the pissing rain and wind to make a call to pay£10!

I’m probably going to have to as I doubt I’d find an appointment I can make other than this at the last minute but part of me want to tell them to stick it.

I’m sure it’s a bit of a pain but I bet they are so busy at this time of year but also get a lot of cancellations. They have to cover costs and it’s annoying if they are turning away paying customers because they’re full and then the people with appointments don’t turn up . Just pay and don’t stress

I’d suspect they’ve had a number of last minute cancellations/no shows

I bet it is no shows i don't do nails but i bet it takes a while, the salon is probably busy

Friend of my sister has a Salon and has started taking a £10 deposit for new customers people don't think to cancel appointments and that space could have been filled.

Its no the deposit itself I have a problem with - used to it and would happily have paid when I made the appointment

Its the last minute stand and deliver text that has pissed me off

I'm going to guess that they had a lot of no shows yesterday, and have had to take this action as a result. It will be an utter ball ache for them to have to text every client to confirm appointments, ask them to pay a new deposit, man the phones and process the payments at this late notice - they wouldn't be doing it if they didn't have to.

I appreciate that it is pretty inconvenient for you in your circumstances, though.

I have a friend who is a nail tech - it's her full time job and she relies on the money. The number of late cancellations and no shows is incredible. She's also done the service and then been asked (told!) that the client has no money can they pay next week/month.

People are CFs and I don't blame your salon for now asking for a £10 deposit from everyone. You're asking for a long appt and if you don't show she'll be well out of pocket at an expensive time of the year. First and foremost she needs to protect her own income.

My friend is also now requiring deposits to secure appts and she's still booked solid.

Ah right I get you now do they expect you to balance transfer or something? Can you phone tne shop and say you are not passing but will definately be in for your appointment

They expect me to phone up with my debit card and pay - which I have ni problem with in principle

But the weather is absolutely foul and the only place I can make said call is outside. I don't really want to get wet and cold because they forgot to ask for a deposit on booking.