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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Was I being a CF?

123 replies

101stNC · 12/06/2020 14:24

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?

OP posts:
BobbieDraper · 12/06/2020 15:30

OP, it would not be cheeky of you to send a message telling them that you felt pressured into paying full price despite having a guarantee that, since you are a loyal customer, you could have the discount. It's ok add that you feel disappointed in how it was handled today, and sad that your loyal custom has been ignored and just inform them that you feel uncomfortable returning given the bad taste it has left so will therefore be canceling your regular appointments.

IntermittentParps · 12/06/2020 15:32

OP, OK, well clearly I answered without being in full possession of the facts.

They WERE clear about the discount running out. Unfortunate but there we are.

billy1966 · 12/06/2020 15:32

You were not a CF and that would annoy me.

I would text the wife and explain what happened.

She will probably make a note and you can confirm AGAIN, BEFORE you have your next appointment.

If they do a good job, they are worth sticking with I would have thought.

Dunarunner · 12/06/2020 15:34

LRK and AK perchance?

BobbieDraper · 12/06/2020 15:34

@IntermittentParps

No they werent. Her appointment that month was cancelled and then they were closed; the next said they will extend it to another month when she can come back (instead of ending the promotion that month as they were going too).

BobbieDraper · 12/06/2020 15:35

@IntermittentParps

If they had says "extend FOR another month" the that would mean they were extending the offer for the following month, and after that it would expire.

Extending "to another month when you can come" means they were extending it to whenever she could book back in after the closure.

Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:36

I was hoping that once he gets home at the end of the day he'll mention what happened today to his wife who will then tell him to rectify the situation.

If that doesn't happen and I don't hear anything then I'll consider addressing it again via text.

I absolutely hate situations like this I don't do assertive and when I do I then feel anxious about it.

I did reiterate no less than three times that I had the guaranteed discount in a text but he wouldn't be budget, so to raise it again feels all kinds of uncomfortable Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:38

@IntermittentParps

OP, OK, well clearly I answered without being in full possession of the facts.

They WERE clear about the discount running out. Unfortunate but there we are.

I don't think they were?

"Another month" meant when I was able to go in, post lockdown, not one month from that text.

They couldn't possibly extend it for just the one month because they had no idea how long we would be locked down for.

OP posts:
Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:39

He told me he didn't know anything about the text at all, despite his wife telling me she'd spoken to him.

OP posts:
BobbieDraper · 12/06/2020 15:40

I mean this as kindly as possible; grow a back bone.

They arent your friends. They are a business and you have a business relationship with them. They agreed a price in writing and you accepted; that is a contract. You need to stand up for yourself.

His finances are not your problem. They offered a discounted treatment, so he could stand there and say "we just cant afford it" all he likes. It doesnt change the contract, especially because they didnt contact your beforehand. You need to treat it like a business relationship and stop being the "oh silly me" type.

Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:40

Extend the offer to another month (when they are able to reopen.

Not for another month.

OP posts:
IntermittentParps · 12/06/2020 15:41

Yes, sorry OP and Bobbie, I misunderstood.
Maybe book your next appointment (although I'm not sure how soon that will be) and when you book, ask again about the discount? Might work better if you get to speak to her though, not him, which obviously you can't control.

Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:43

@BobbieDraper

I mean this as kindly as possible; grow a back bone.

They arent your friends. They are a business and you have a business relationship with them. They agreed a price in writing and you accepted; that is a contract. You need to stand up for yourself.

His finances are not your problem. They offered a discounted treatment, so he could stand there and say "we just cant afford it" all he likes. It doesnt change the contract, especially because they didnt contact your beforehand. You need to treat it like a business relationship and stop being the "oh silly me" type.

I dont disagree with you and I do have a problem with asserting myself.

I didn't want to forfeit the booking so just went ahead at full price. I accept I should have pressed it further. The thing is I mentioned the text 3 times and it made no difference.

I travel a long way to use that clinic and didn't want to have wasted my journey.

OP posts:
3cats · 12/06/2020 15:44

I would just let it drop. You weren't wrong. Maybe he was just annoyed with his wife for offering a discount when times are tough.

It's not worth getting upset about though. You like the clinic so continue to go there.

Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:44

@Dunarunner

LRK and AK perchance?
Nope not them either.

I'm guessing the two places mentioned have form for CFery?

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonO · 12/06/2020 15:47

I voted Yabu. Not because you were a cf to ask for the discount but because you are being so ridiculous in not insisting on getting the discount and then complaining that you are not getting it. Hoping he talks to his wife and then decides to give it to you next time goes way beyond "not assertive".

You have a few choices:
1). Text the number and ask the question. It doesn't matter who's at the other end of the phone.
2). Continue to seethe and feel uncomfortable every time you go.
3). Find a new provider. This has an element of cutting off your nose to spite your face as you are happy with the results.

Dunarunner · 12/06/2020 15:50

@101stNC not the ones I mentioned I don’t think - they just fitted the husband wife description and I was curious Grin

Fairybatman · 12/06/2020 15:53

@101stNC

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

No judgement here. Not least because I can’t really raise an eyebrow too far myself!! Grin
Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 15:56

Not that it matters but I feel I need to explain exactly why I'm not comfortable being assertive with men and didn't press the matter even harder.

Men make me nervous as I have a recent history of abuse. I find it extremely uncomfortable being in a situation where I have to argue the toss with a man. I know that's my own issue, but that's the reason.

It's nothing to do with the practitioner himself, he's never been anything but professional and polite, but I'm just not comfortable with it.

OP posts:
BobbieDraper · 12/06/2020 15:59

Ok. You struggled being assertive with the man. But you raised it 3 times, so actually, you did assert yourself. You just gave up a bit too early because you were faced with a belligerent man. If it had been the woman, you would have kept going, so you're on your way to the back bone!

You have a number which is most likely dealt with by the wife. Just send the message; it's much easier than face to face. If you want to be gentle about it then as if your discount could be applied next time since they seemed to be struggling today.

almalm · 12/06/2020 16:07

They should have honoured that. The wife sent a message saying that they would honour the discount "the next time you go" so that should have happened.
I can understand the man wanting to charge full price. They've got limited capacity at the moment and probably suffering a significant financial loss because of the closure BUT it is short-sighted to piss of a regular customer by not sticking to something they agreed.
Contact them again and say you aren't happy with the situation and felt pushed into paying full price as you'd travelled a long way etc. Suggest they give you the discount as promised the next time you book. If they are not prepared to do that look for another clinic.

Secretsout · 12/06/2020 16:09

OP....slightly off topic but... I work in Aesthetics.

Your practitioner should not be injecting you right now. Insurers are not covering aesthetic injectables as the work is classed as close contact (less than 2 metres) and is non-essential.

The government has not given the go ahead for treatments like this to go ahead.

In essence, your practitioner is breaking the law. Sorry.

Carolbaskinstiger · 12/06/2020 16:15

You’re not the cf in this situation - he was. See if the wife comes back to you. If not I’d be tempted to find another clinic (no judgement here - I love having Botox).

AnnaSW1 · 12/06/2020 16:20

No

Original poster
101stNC · 12/06/2020 16:21

I'm very surprised to hear that from somebody in the industry Secrets. They've always been very professional and I couldn't imagine them wilfully breaking the law?

Reassured to be among other lovers of botox, I thought I'd get crucified for being vain

OP posts: