Was I being a CF?

[101stNC]

I have regular treatments at a private aesthetics clinic, ran by a husband and wife.

Before lockdown they were running a promotion, offering the treatment I usually have at a reduced rate.

I booked in but the appointment was cancelled due to the pandemic hitting.

The wife of the couple sent me a text and said she had spoken with her husband and because I'm a loyal customer they will honour the discounted price next time I go.

Fast forward to now and they have been given the go ahead to reopen at a reduced capacity so i booked in.

It was just the husband in today so when I arrived I queried whether the discounted rate still applied and he said he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I told him about the text from his wife and offered to show him, he said it wasn't necessary as he believed me but also because customers can't use their phones inside the practice. They are taking several precautions due to the virus.

He explained that because they've not been taking bookings for three months they're not in a position to do that, to which I replied that I understood completely and am more than happy to pay full price.

I don't know whether it was due to my embarrassment but the atmosphere was then very awkward and uncomfortable.

Was I being a CF?

I wouldn’t say so as his wife had said they would honour the discount...

You were not a CF. She said it would be honoured, it should be honoured.

No you're not. If she said it would be honoured then it should have been.

I think you were very reasonable to say you were happy to pay full price.

I’d go so far as to say text her and say that you paid full price today because you want to support the business and don’t want to cause ill feeling, but would they consider honouring the discount code n your next visit?

No, he was the CF, if anybody - but I do sympathise with the fact that times must be very difficult for them right now. Plus the fact that they presumably offered the promotion to try to drum up more business and now they're inundated with all of the customers they couldn't treat through all of those lost weeks.

Thank you for the responses.

I was embarrassed I came across like an entitled CF. I was actually toying with the idea of apologising for raising it in the first place.

I didn't in the end, I just paid and left but I spent the journey home feeling baffled and embarrassed.

I hope he raises it with his wife later on and she reiterates what she said, also the fact she said she had already discussed with him

No

How much difference are we talking?

I think you were in the right, but for a tenner I’d let it go. A hundred, not so much.

Was it Botox? No one has reopened here....

The difference in price was £50 and yes it was for botox.

Pre empting a flaming as I don't expect cosmetic procedures go down well on here but it's a personal choice and one I'm happy with

He might genuinely have forgotten, or he might have known perfectly well but felt too embarrassed to say that they no longer wanted to honour it under their current circumstances.

Either way, businesses have had nearly three months with no business whatsoever, so now being able to get some half-price (or whatever) business and maintaining goodwill with a longstanding regular customer surely makes sense?

I know they couldn't have known about the pandemic, but I do hate it when some businesses will advertise an amazing offer and then try to make you feel guilty for taking them up on it. If the offer price isn't sustainable with your longer-term business goals, don't offer it in the first place!

They offered in the discount. You were within your rights to ask. No u were being cf

You were not a CF at all OP.

On a side note... is this in England?? I didn't think any hairdressers/beauty/aesthetic salons could open until July...?!

Pre empting a flaming as I don't expect cosmetic procedures go down well on here but it's a personal choice and one I'm happy with

Nobody's business but yours - you pays your money and you takes your choice. Just would have been nicer for you to have paid your lower amount of money, as had been agreed

Absolutely.

The sad part is I'm actually on the fence as to whether I want to return now, I'm not that bothered about the money but I don't bode well in awkward situations.

It is the only aesthetic clinic I've ever used and I was a very loyal customer, I even provided a video testimonial for their website singing their praises.

How come aesthetics places are allowed open and hairdressers aren't?

I'm in England yes, the South East.

They are taking alot of measures to reduce the risk of the virus. Temperature check upon entry, then hand sanitizer and gloves for the customer. No phone usage or touching any other personal belongings whilst in the building and the practitioners wear masks and gloves throughout.

No idea why they've been allowed to open and hair dressers have not.

I can only imagine it's to do with the time spent in the building, it's very much in and out.

No, not a CF. If they agreed the discount, you should have received it.

YABU for being in close contact with another person - unless you live abroad, but even then you are putting vanity before safety.

But no they should have honoured the discount. He could have explained the situation and given you the choice.

@101stNC no judgement here... I can't WAIT for my beautician to reopen!

You needed to be more assertive. You'd agreed the discount price when you rebooked and that is what you should have paid. Now they may lose your custom cos you're embarrassed

And you ve lost a beauty place you liked.

I'm the least assertive person I know, unless I'm absolutely certain that I'm in the right.

I wasn't sure as I was caught off guard and then felt bad for even entertaining the idea of a discount when they'd been out of work for several months.

You paid for a discount block of treatments, did not get all of them

And offered to pay full price -WHY?