Had to cancel hairdressers appt because I tested positive... they are trying to charge me

[MyWeddingFund]

Had a hairdressers appointment for today. Had symptoms yesterday and test which came back positive. I phoned the hairdressers to let them know I had tested positive and would not be attending and would call to rearrange when feeling better as didn't know when that would be I didn't want to rearrange right now. They told me because it is short notice...I have to pay half the price of the service. Fair enough if I had to just cancelled but there is no way I can go

You should have rang as soon as you had symptoms.

It's unfortunate that you're ill, but not fair that the stylist has to lose income. They could have offered someone else the appointment if you gave notice.

It’s no different from cancelling for other reasons, it’s not their fault and shouldn’t lose out financially.

Half price is more than fair.

As an ex hairdresser who used to have to tell people this (advised by my boss), we cannot enforce it just dont pay and go elsewhere next time. Would they rather get corona.

Tough. It's their livelihood, you've cancelled at short notice - pay up.

Do they have a Covid cancellations policy?

It does seem harsh, but from their point of view it’s lost income.

If you have a good relationship I’d pay it. That way you’re both losing out 50%.

I’ve literally never come across this. I can’t believe people think you should pay!

With a screenshot of your positive result I think they should waive the charge

Surprised by the replies here. This kind of attitude would lead to people going to their appointments while ill and spreading the virus. Think the hairdresser needs to apply some common sense here.

I don't think they can make you pay but I see their pov. It's not their fault either.

I guess it comes down to how much they want your future business and how much you want to keep going there.

Yep, you should pay up.
You did well to get a test yesterday/today and already have the results though

But equally you should have cancelled when you first had symptoms. She’s correct about leaving it late

I think it's a fair enough policy and it was probably there pre-covid. My hairdresser had a similar rule. I have a DS who frequently gets ill. After having to pay the cancellation fee I decided it was easier just to book on the day. It's usually fine, just means It don't always get the same stylist.

You entered into a contract to get your hair done. You cancelled with short notice and so you haven't given the hairdresser enough time to fill your slot. Not your fault of course, but most hairdressers are self employed and during these interesting times, many hairdressers are barely making a living. Pay up - you are lucky you weren't charged the full price.

I think in the current climate it is reasonable to charge half. The chances of them filling the app at short notice are slim abd most salons are taking less customers (resulting in less income) due to being COVID secure. When they first reopened some were asking for payment up front or a big deposit for the same reason.

Did you have symptoms and a test and a test result on the same day? Unlikely, in which case you should have called when you had symptoms. It’s a two-three day turn around for test results in my area.

There are loads of reasons why you might have had to cancel that were beyond your control. Doesn't mean they have to waive their cancellation policy for you.

I wouldn’t be happy to pay this, especially when not told at the time of booking. I appreciate it is hard for businesses to lose work but this could happen in every walk of life at the moment. Restaurants, days out etc - would the people saying the OP should pay be happy to pay for half a meal that they haven’t been able to go and enjoy?

Think if I was a hairdresser I would be weighing up the loss of 1 client versus 2 weeks of none🤔. Actually I did cancel my hair recently because DS had a cold(poss COVID) my hairdresser didn’t charge a cancellation fee but when I did eventually get my hair done I made sure I gave him a substitute tip.

If she had let them know yesterday she was getting a test (so would be self isolating) then they could have rebooked. That selfish attitude will be the reason places shut.

Why should they lose out? It's not their fault either. It makes no difference to them whether you are cancelling because you're ill, because you tested positive for Covid or because you've had a better offer. They still lose income and can't rebook the slot at short notice. Lots of these businesses are on their knees.
I can see that there's potential for people who should be isolating choosing to attend appointments rather than lose money, but it shouldn't be down to small businesses or individual stylists to pay out of their pockets to solve this issue. It's down to all of us to be responsible and not leave the house if we've tested positive.

Substantial tip - bloody autocorrect 🙄

I’ve had tests back well within 24 hours. I don’t understand why people are suspicious of you for that. Why would you lie?!

So you had symptoms and a test and a test result all in the last 24 hours???

They can’t enforce it, however you need to think long term if you like your hair dresser.

would the people saying the OP should pay be happy to pay for half a meal that they haven’t been able to go and enjoy?

Yes, if I'd booked it and then cancelled at short notice. In fact this has happened to me as there's a restaurant we occasionally go to nearby that takes deposits for bookings of 5 or more.