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Original poster

To Take Hairdresser To Small Claims Court

192 replies

JediJim · 08/09/2019 22:15

So this may seem like I’m being uber petty but here goes;
A few months ago DW went to a hairdresser salon for the second time and booked an expensive hair style a few months in advance. The price was about £200 ,maybe a bit more. So the salon wanted a deposit of £50. Fair enough, so she paid it. She wrote in her diary the appointment time and date, the 13th September ( next Friday).
Anyway last Thursday, she received a text from the salon confirming her appointment for the next day ( Friday 6th September). So bit confused, she immediately rang the salon and told them she believed her appointment was the following week and that she couldn’t go on the 6th September as she was picking DD up from school ( her first week at school). The salon told DW that she would lose her deposit and if she wanted the appointment on the 13th she would have to pay another deposit. Either way she has lost the initial £50. DW had a lot on that particular time so just let it go and wanted to forget about it. The salon said that they have a 24 hour penalty notice for cancelling appointments.
Now in my opinion this is unfair. She rang the salon after receiving the text and stated that she thought her appointment was the following week. And even with the 24 hour notice for the cancellation policy, she fulfilled this because she rang them the day before.
I know it’s a relatively small amount and they are a business but £50 is a lot to us and we could do with not losing it. DW now stating that maybe she got it wrong and maybe her appointment actually was booked for the 6th. So not sure who is in the wrong. But she did tell them 24 hours before,as I’ve said.
Anyway DW doesn’t want the embarrassment or confrontation of going in to explain and wants to let it go. I on the other hand have a good mind to pop into the salon and explain what happened and ask for a refund. If not, can I tell them I’m going to take them to the small claims court? Would it sway them at all?
I’ve checked the salon website. There isn’t an email address that I can send an email to and there is nothing on there about any cancellation policy. Anyone had a similar experience?

OP posts:
madcatladyforever · 08/09/2019 22:42

Whatever the situation their cancellation policy should be clearly stated somewhere. You say it isn't. It should be.

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 08/09/2019 22:46

Stupid business practice from that salon! She was quite happy to go in for her £200 appointment but between them they'd got the dates muddled up. Why didn't they just agree to move it back a week? Silly people.

Wehttam · 08/09/2019 22:47

OP I’m with you, I’d be pissed too, £50 is £50. Those saying you’re ridiculous are fools for letting the money go down the drain. The problem is that unfortunately there’s no way to prove either way if it was a mistake on their part or your wife simply couldn’t make the 6th and is pretending it was the 13th, both of which highly probable in the eyes of the law. He said she said.

In future when dealing with independent businesses handing over deposits just make sure it’s all kosher and you have everything in black and white. A lesson we could all learn from.

Shortfeet · 08/09/2019 22:52

It’s perfectly possible it was the salon’s Mistake !

I used to work in a salon where the receptionist was notorious for writing appointments in the wrong place in the appointment book.

I can’t believe they are trying to make you lose the £50 !

Mrsmadevans · 08/09/2019 22:52

Who on earth spends 200 quid on their hair? misses the point but is aghast

halloumi2019 · 08/09/2019 22:54

I doubt salons legally have to have their appointment cancellation policy listed online, as having it in store would suffice.

I think ‘24 hours notice’ is strange, as salons would struggle to cover that lost appointment which would be the entire point of a refundable deposit. I think it’s likely that it has to be over a day, eg a Wednesday appointment can be cancelled without penalty on Monday but not on Tuesday even if there’s technically 24 hours between the appointment and cancellation. I am basing this off my own salon.

Original poster
JediJim · 08/09/2019 22:57

Agreed.. why couldn’t the salon just use common sense and say to DW that there seems to be a mix up with the dates, we’ll keep your deposit and allow you to re book.
As a result, the salon will lose business from my wife and the people she recommended them to.
Yes Facebook and Twitter can have a huge impact on people’s businesses.
I maybe out of 50 quid but they have lost her and others custom. I’ll politely inform them of this ,without the threat of small claims court.
However it works both ways. We may not be able to prove when the appointment was booked but neither can they. And I can prove that a deposit was made thanks to internet banking.
DW has never spent so much on a new hairstyle, this was a one off..its not the norm! She also at work had a bad experience with a shop lifter which has resulted in her not wanting to get involved in confrontational situations. I’m just trying to get her money back, it’s a joint account.
I’m actually quite a placid reasonable person in reality despite how I may be coming across. But I appreciate your views whatever you all think.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 08/09/2019 23:03

Youre right but i doubt they will give it you unless u say you'll go public

GreenIsTheNewPurple · 08/09/2019 23:07
  1. Speak to them;
  2. Letter before action (we want you to refund otherwise court). Specify timeline, say, 10 days;
  3. File claim.

Court will decide on balance of probabilities who they believe.

I used the SCC many many years ago, circa 2004 I think?, and it took a year all in to get my money back. Claim was defended though.

wibbletooth · 08/09/2019 23:07

do the salon not send any text or email or ??? other message when the appointment is booked to confirm the booking? They obviously have the capability to as they can send out the reminders the day before...

Check to see if there is any sort of confirmation and if not, suggest that it is something that they should consider implementing...

Elementalillusions · 08/09/2019 23:10

But the salon can prove when the appointment was booked for because they will have it in the calendar.

The whole point of deposits is to secure your appointment and ensure you follow through with the booking, if you don’t you forfeit the deposit, that’s how it works.

Your wife made the mistake by not writing the appointment down correctly, it’s unfortunate that she’s now not able to go on the day she booked but that isn’t the salons fault.
she is lucky the sent a reminder text and she was able to cancel, where I live most salons have a policy that if you fail to attend your appointment but don’t cancel you are liable for the full price of the booked treatment.
your lucky she was able to cancel and you aren’t in a situation where they are pursuing you for the £200.

fandabbyfannyflutters · 08/09/2019 23:12

She also at work had a bad experience with a shop lifter which has resulted in her not wanting to get involved in confrontational situations

Award for the most irrelevant piece of information in a thread ever goes to....

MummytoCSJH · 08/09/2019 23:16

I don't understand some of thesr replies. I could put anything in my calendar to 'prove' an appointment, and even then it's completely possible that it was the salon who got it wrong. Whether it's in their calendar or not, if they didn't put it in for the day the client asked for...

Ginger1982 · 08/09/2019 23:16

Was it definitely 24 hours notice? They didn't text at, say, 4pm to remind her that her appointment was 10am the next day?

expat101 · 08/09/2019 23:16

I'm confused as to why they would not allow her to re-book for the following Friday when she called after receiving the confirmation text.

Were they already fully booked? Was Wife speaking with the business owner or a junior?

In the meanwhile, after they refused to transfer/refund the 50 pounds, I would have had someone turn up for the appointment. My bet is her alloted time would have (if they have a good reputation) been filled.

Comefromaway · 08/09/2019 23:17

But the salon can prove when the appointment was booked for because they will have it in the calendar.

And the wife has the appointment in her diary. One of them wrote it in the wrong date. Who can prove which one?

Tonnerre · 08/09/2019 23:18

It really depends whether you can prove the 24 hours' notice - if they say that is the notice period and you can prove it, you're home and dry.. People talking about the court fee don't seem to be aware that, if you win, that would be added on to the claim, You do have to try to resolve it directly with the salon first, so it would make sense to try to sort it out amicably with them by having a chat. If they still won't pay, you need to send a formal letter before claim before you can start proceedings.

rededucator · 08/09/2019 23:20

I'd go in and speak to salon. If you're willing to spend £200 on hair appointment then you're a valuable customer they should want to lose. I say 'you' I mean your wife.

Lucymumofson · 08/09/2019 23:23

I never knew hairdressers took deposits! And if you can’t afford to lose £50 why is she spending £200 on a hairstyle?

TheCatsACunt · 08/09/2019 23:23

Why would YOU take them to court? It’s nothing to do with you. The contract is between the salon and your wife.

Original poster
JediJim · 08/09/2019 23:23

Element , it would be hard to pursue a customer for the full amount. How would the salon trace them anyway?
The salon that DW booked though has nothing mentioned on their website about a cancellation policy. I don’t know about the salon itself, I’ve not been in there.
Point is taking someone’s cash and not giving the product is risky unless they can do it legitimately. Word of mouth or a verbal contract surely can’t be legal? Who’s to say the salon can’t make up their own rules? How can the salon prove they were not in the wrong, regardless of what their calendar says? The text message was sent to DW the day before the appointment was allegedly booked but DW was sure it was the week after. She can’t prove it as she didn’t get an appointment card. Her fault I appreciate. I’ve stated that DW was possibly at fault, but in any case she gave the required notice that she couldn’t make the appointment.
Legal action maybe not ,but maybe a negative review on google/Facebook may be sufficient... after talking with them first of course.

OP posts:
ViserionTheDragon · 08/09/2019 23:25

Could this possibly be the London salon where all the social media influencers go? If it is, they do put this in writing on their website so I'm not sure you will get far legally....

Original poster
JediJim · 08/09/2019 23:30

Cats, I can’t personally put in the claim ,DW would have to do it. She won’t so it won’t happen. I’m just trying to get the money back that was unjustly taken. If they point blank refuse, other than lose them some business, there isn’t much more I can do.

OP posts:
user1493759849 · 08/09/2019 23:41

@JediJim

Going to the small claims court for fifty quid is every kind of batshit. I could not be arsed...

Just take it as a loss, and slate them on social media. They hate that kind of shit.

user1493759849 · 08/09/2019 23:41

@JediJim

Going to the small claims court for fifty quid is every kind of batshit. I could not be arsed...

Just take it as a loss, and slate them on social media. They hate that kind of shit.