To think a company doubling their prices take the piss?

[NTHEN]

It's a beauty salon.

I started going to them last year. In just 12 months they've literally doubled their prices, something that was £90 is now £180 and so on. There have been no changes to justify the vast inflation.

I won't be going back anymore as I just can't afford their new prices.

I know people will say if you don't want to pay it then don't, and I won't, but AIBU to think it takes the piss?

without fully knowing the financial state of the business how would you be able to make a fair judgement?

Well they're extremely busy, they showcase their work on social media.

If they are extremely busy, then people must be paying the prices. Sounds astute to me.

If they are busy, then why not...

If it's a recent change then maybe they can see far fewer customers/clients at the moment to ensure enough space between people, time to clean in between etc. Or maybe lots of the products they use have gone up in price (definitely has happened in lots of sectors).

But at the end of the day, especially if they are still busy, why shouldn't they simply charge more for their time. Maybe it means their staff can work fewer hours and have more time at home with their families or doing other things they enjoy. Sometimes putting your prices up as a business can mean fewer customers (less work) but the same income, which is a win-win really.

I see your points, it just doesn't sit right with me because their whole advertising campaign was focussed on how reasonably priced they are, best value in the area etc.

Then as soon as the company gains traction they double the price, alienating their once loyal customers who just can't afford the new prices.

It's a case of sour grapes for me I will admit. I wrote them testimonials talking about how brilliant they are and how affordable etc, which they used on their website (and still do) despite doubling the prices and making it so people like me can no longer afford the services.

This policy won't serve them well in the long run. They will be undercut by keen up-and-coming competitors, that's the way it works. People will only pay what they can afford.

@TenDays

This policy won't serve them well in the long run. They will be undercut by keen up-and-coming competitors, that's the way it works. People will only pay what they can afford.

Yes quite.

I think they were a newish company when I came across them. The price (as an aside to the before and after photos) is what attracted me initially.

I went regularly and was told I'm a loyal and valued customer, would I like to do a testimonial for their new website etc.

I gladly agreed and did them a glowing review, talking about the brilliant value/reasonable price and how well they treat their customers, which they still have featured on their website despite none of the above now being true.

I received a fishing text last week with an offer of £30 off treatments for the next 10 people who book. £30 off is still £150 which is still £60 more than what I paid to begin with.

I wonder if they were running at a loss to start with you gain customers. Its up to them to charge what they want as long as they are put front about their charges.

Things are worth what people are prepared to pay for them. If the market can stand the prices then that's what they are worth.

How much is the same treatment in other salons in the area?

Why is your review no longer true?

Your assessment of it being good value was based on the previous price. OK, but that’s a subjective view anyway, and the price someone reading the review a year later will pay is quite transparent. So although your comment is now out of date, it’s not particularly misleading.

Everything else presumably true.

You might not feel treated well now that you’re priced out - but that’s a business decision and it doesn’t change the fact that as an actual customer, on the day, you were happy.

Is it a good business decision to double their price?
Who knows.
Maybe it is. It’s not done as a persuasive affront to you.
When my Junior stylist was promoted and her rates went up, I didn’t insist I should Pay junior rates.

If it bothers you to still have your testimonial used, email with a polite request to have it removed.

I wonder if they were running at a loss to start with you gain customers.

That's what I thought too. Maybe what you (understandably) believed were their normal standard prices were, to them, heavily-discounted promotional prices until they got established.

That's often what happens with individual stylists/therapists, who charge more as they become more experienced, rise up the ranks and build up a personal reputation, so maybe they just thought they'd do that across the board as a business?!

Their business, their choice of prices. Your choice whether to go there or somewhere else.

Their prices are now slightly higher than local competitors.

Why is your review no longer true?

Because they don't treat their existing customers well and they are no longer reasonably priced.

They had an offer on before lockdown but had to cancel all appointments, I was explicitly told in writing that because I'm a valued customer they would honour the discounted price the next time I come when they are able to open (bare in mind this was after they'd already started to inflate their prices and I chose to stick with them)

I go along for an appointment after lockdown and I'm told they don't have a clue what I'm talking about, there is no offer to honour. I offered to show them the message I received and they didn't want to see it (covid rules means customers can't use their phones in the salon) so made me look an idiot.

I haven't been back since but saw yesterday that they've raised their prices again, I'm on a mailing list.

Like I say it's a case of sour grapes for me, justified though I think.

Their prices are now slightly higher than local competitors.

So if their prices doubled and are now slightly higher then they must have been incredibly cheap and unsustainable before.

When you say "no changes to justify", you do realise there's a pandemic?

They will not be able to see the same amount of customers, so their revenue will go down. Probably by about 50%.

At the same time, they have: a) fixed costs to cover from lockdown, b) fixed costs to cover now, and c) additional costs to ensure proper cleaning and safety.

I doubt they're being greedy, they're probably just trying to stay afloat.

@Lockheart

When you say "no changes to justify", you do realise there's a pandemic?

They will not be able to see the same amount of customers, so their revenue will go down. Probably by about 50%.

At the same time, they have: a) fixed costs to cover from lockdown, b) fixed costs to cover now, and c) additional costs to ensure proper cleaning and safety.

I doubt they're being greedy, they're probably just trying to stay afloat.

They had started to inflate their prices before lockdown.

They aren't running at low capacity at all. Their social media shows a continual flow of customers, daily.

Well if they are only charging slightly more than others in the same industry and have lots of customers then their prices point sounds correct.

If their prices were half that of competitors then surely you must have realised that’s too good to be true and can’t be continued.

I would email them about the offer they promised you, with a screenshot, and ask if they will now honour it. If they won't then I would start going somewhere else. Sadly if they've got custom they have less incentive to keep long standing customers on side.

if their prices were half that of competitors then surely you must have realised that’s too good to be true and can’t be continued

Quite possibly, if they hadn't been basing their advertising on their competitive rates.

If they had prefaced their rates with introductory offer that would've been different.

I would email them about the offer they promised you, with a screenshot, and ask if they will now honour it. If they won't then I would start going somewhere else

I was considering this but decided not to as I was already embarrassed enough mentioning it on the day and being told they don't know what I'm talking about.

Their customer service that day is what put me off going back at all.

Someone there must have written and sent out the letter, can't you print it off or email it to them/the manager?
I agree it sounds like they must have been running at a loss before, either strategically or inadvertently. Most hair and beauty places have put their prices up since lockdown to cover the cost of PPE and having less customers through the door. The cost of my DS's haircut at the barber has nearly doubled.
It's their prerogative as a business to do this though and all you can do is vote with your feet.
If they're sending out offers regularly though they must be trying to get people in, which would suggest they're not as busy as you may think.

That’s two different issues - YABU to question them pricing as they see fit.

YANBU to be annoyed that they didn’t honour an offer.

I can see you wouldn’t want to return if they honoured it now, if you had to push for it. So you could leave a Google review or similar, to balance the positive testimony from previously - if you care enough?

@NTHEN

Well they're extremely busy, they showcase their work on social media.

Have you heard the saying "turnover is vanity " also on sm they would want to appear busy.

Personally I'd email them and ask them to remove my review from their website as it is no longer accurate.