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

[Meuniere]

@Coldwinds at the same. Time it’s shit customer service and won’t make people want to come back and see you.

Most people I know (Think chiropractor, osteopaths and the like) still have their cancellation policy in place. But they don’t apply it with Covid.
Because you know, it’s much better for them to have people cancel like. The OP did than coming matter what and infecting them (and potentially anyone else who comes after that.)

[Coldwinds]

[quote Meuniere]@Coldwinds at the same. Time it’s shit customer service and won’t make people want to come back and see you.

Most people I know (Think chiropractor, osteopaths and the like) still have their cancellation policy in place. But they don’t apply it with Covid.
Because you know, it’s much better for them to have people cancel like. The OP did than coming matter what and infecting them (and potentially anyone else who comes after that.)[/quote]
Each to their own.

[ThisIsntMeHonestGuv]

This is basically someone's wages.

How would you feel if your boss was ill. You turned up to work, were available to work, but then got a call to say the boss is ill so you won't get paid?

I think 50% is very fair.

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

My hair appointment was cancelled today as my stylist had covid symptoms. I said "I hope you feel better soon". I'd expect the same if I had had to cancel for the same reason. If I was paying half then I'd be getting my hair done.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Nothing to do with Covid, but I had to cancel my eyebrows a few weeks back because I woke up with a migraine. I offered to pay in full, because the appointment was at 1, and I had left it to see if my meds would work before contacting her about 11, when they hadn’t. She refused the charge, because I am a regular customer who goes every three weeks, and actually squeezed me in during her lunchbreak the next day.

I thought this was very kind in my migraine state, and was quite teary. But really it’s sensible business too for a long-term regular - better one missed appointment than the client goes elsewhere and all the future appointments lost!

[CovidNightmare]

I would expect to pay a cancellation fee for most services if I cancelled with barely any notice. The reason you are cancelling is irrelevant.

[legalseagull]

Tell them "fine, I'll come then". Then they'll tell you not to come and it'll be their decision

[legalseagull]

Seriously I wouldn't pay. They won't do anything. Can you imagine them taking you to court and having to argue that they didn't care you had CV

[Toothsil]

Mine introduced this policy last year, she said she hated having to but she was getting so many people just not turning up.

[diamond4u]

Don't pay! It's out of your hands to go to your appt, why should you pay half for a service you can't receive through no choice of your own. I wouldn't pay and then wouldn't use that hairdressers again

[JinglingHellsBells]

These T&Cs are always at the owner's discretion!

If you are a long term client they may let you off.

My hairdresser is taking at £50 deposit on all appts for colouring etc as the price is high..

They ask for 48 hr notice. I once gave less than that (not less than 24 hrs) and they were fine as I rebooked.

Your salon can do what they want.
It's not worth their while to take you to court.
You can walk away but they will reserve the right never to cut your hair again.

[JinglingHellsBells]

It's not just hairdressers who do this.

Counsellors, tutors, private doctors, therapists, dentists, restaurants, hotels, all take CC details and have cancellation policies.

They need to protect their income from time wasters.

Many will be sympathetic.

The down side is they will get people with Covid turning up so they aren't charged.

[Sakura7]

It’s not mercenary. They have a business to run. They have bills for the salon and bills for their home. They were were closed down for months with very little help of the government.

Sure, but if they want to stay open it's not exactly smart to penalise someone for being responsible and not bringing Covid into their workplace.

I really don't know how people can't grasp this.

[Bringonspring]

I’m amazed that you got tested yesterday and already have your results back

[Coldwinds]

@Sakura7

It’s not mercenary. They have a business to run. They have bills for the salon and bills for their home. They were were closed down for months with very little help of the government.

Sure, but if they want to stay open it's not exactly smart to penalise someone for being responsible and not bringing Covid into their workplace.

I really don't know how people can't grasp this.

And if they have a loyal client base - which most hairdressers worth their salt will they will be happy to oblige. Why would I want my hairdresser who knows how I like my hair to be out of business? I appreciate her. She works hard.

Not sure how people can’t grasp this.

[Codexdivinchi]

It’s actually illegal not to isolate when Covid positive. This is NOT the hairdressers fault. The business owner can of course make discretions but whilst many people maybe cancelling it’s not good business sense to lose revenue that could have gone to some one else.

As a business owner myself I still have to feed my children. I don’t think people realise the lack of support some industries have had

[Sakura7]

@Coldwinds Lots of people are under financial pressure due to Covid, and wouldn't be able to afford to pay for a service they didn't get.

This kind of approach guarantees that symptomatic people will turn up so that they don't lose their money. That's a far worse outcome for the business than rescheduling one appointment.

[DailyCandy]

If you give everyone who cancels because of a positive Covid test result a free pass... then everyone will play the ‘oh but I just tested positive for Covid’ excuse.
Should have cancelled when you realised you were unwell - hardly responsible to think you can attend an appointment with any kind of illness

[Nicknacky]

I like my hairdresser, my beautician and my nail girl. We have all talked about our lives over the years that we have known each other and while it’s fundamentally a business transaction I care about their business, especially nowadays.

They would be refusing my payment in these circumstances.

If you don’t know them or it’s a one off appointment then I can see it’s irritating but it can go beyond that.

[StoneofDestiny]

Ridiculous. No, you shouldn't have to pay. That policy would only encourage people to go in with infectious diseases.

If you died, would they sue your estate?

Do t pay - and see what happens. Negative publicity like that would see them shut down.

I've had hairdressers cancel on me at short notice - I wasn't compensated at all. In fact - when lockdown happened, we all had our appointments cancelled? Anybody get compensated?

[ReefTeeth]

I wouldn't pay and I'd remind her she cancelled on you not that long ago the cheeky mare.

[Coldwinds]

[quote Sakura7]**@Coldwinds Lots of people are under financial pressure due to Covid, and wouldn't be able to afford to pay for a service they didn't get.

This kind of approach guarantees that symptomatic people will turn up so that they don't lose their money. That's a far worse outcome for the business than rescheduling one appointment.[/quote]
If your that under financial pressure you wouldn’t be getting your hair done.

You paid for a slot. You cancelled. Your fault.

[nosswith]

I'd be sympathetic if you had phoned up when you had symptoms, but think they have been reasonable. If you choose not to pay and never go there again, your decision.

[Nicknacky]

Why do people expect to be compensated when their appointments are cancelled? Were you out of pocket?

[stackemhigh]

Did they make you aware of cancellation policy when you booked?