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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

397 replies

MyWeddingFund · 23/10/2020 18:42

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 Sad

OP posts:
Hopeisnotastrategy · 23/10/2020 22:42

I think paying half is more than fair enough.

Oilyoilyoilgob · 23/10/2020 22:44

I have a lovely loyal client base, who don’t let me down (and the same for me not letting them down!). I’ve suspended my 24 hour cancellation policy and send a message before any appointment reminding them to rearrange if signs of any illness.

This ensures we’re all safe and I can carry on doing the (much less) work I have with clients.
I’d appreciate that in 24 hours someone can be unwell, have the stress of booking a test and getting there etc and I’d realise that we all can forget about other things-especially during coronavirus stuff.

I wouldn’t charge you. If anything they could’ve reminded you of the charge but said they appreciated you keeping everyone safe so they’ll waive the normal fee.

StoneofDestiny · 23/10/2020 22:46

If you booked in to a hotel then cancelled on the day you would lose your money

If you booked in to an event but cancelled on the same day you’d lose your money

No you would not - during Lockdown and the ongoing Covid issue, refunds are automatic. If you look on line, nearly all booking are cancellation cost free. Even all my Tesco Clubcard 'days out' are being extended without penalty.

While hairstylists are smaller businesses, they very much rely upon client loyalty and goodwill - penalising them is not the way to build this up.

Remember - many of the clients are struggling financially too, and they cannot afford to bin a 50% payment for not haircut, through no fault of their own. Covid regs forces people to isolate - it's really not the clients choice. If they turn up with a positive test and report it - the hairdresser will be forced to shut altogether.

MiniMum97 · 23/10/2020 22:46

I wouldn't pay either. Presumably they have rules they say you can't attend if you've tested positive or have symptoms so effectively they are preventing you from going. I also wouldn't pay or want to go there in the future as their policy will encourage people with symptoms to turn up anyway.

Grilledaubergines · 23/10/2020 22:47

@greenflamingo

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?!
Was just thinking the same. Don’t understand the suspicion either. My truly was back in about 18 hours. Which I was surprised but relieved about.
Sakura7 · 23/10/2020 22:50

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

For testing positive for covid? And doing the right thing by staying away? Christ Hmm

The bigger picture is important here. Having a policy that encourages ill people to come in and spread the virus is incredible short sighted. An outbreak amongst staff would see the business shut down again (not to mention the health impact on the staff and their families). How is that a better scenario?

Coldwinds · 23/10/2020 22:51

@MiniMum97

I wouldn't pay either. Presumably they have rules they say you can't attend if you've tested positive or have symptoms so effectively they are preventing you from going. I also wouldn't pay or want to go there in the future as their policy will encourage people with symptoms to turn up anyway.
The thing is with this is that you risk going to a completely new hairdresser that doesn’t know how you like your hair.

If your happy to risk this - don’t pay

Jenasaurus · 23/10/2020 22:53

Im wondering, if you hadnt had your test results back and told them you had symptoms and were still waiting the results they would have told you to come in for your appointment.

shoofly · 23/10/2020 22:55

I'm torn, I think it's unfair to charge in the circumstances. Would they prefer if you were to attend?
I'm surprised by the scepticism over your test results tbh... I have felt ill for a few days (not really Covid symptoms) was chatting to a friend who is a Dr (& she's just started working in track & trace) on Wednesday night 11pm ish, she strongly advised a test... So booked for 11/11:30 slot Thursday morning. Results came through by email in early hours Friday morning...

Had to cancel hairdressers appt because I tested positive... they are trying to charge me
Coldwinds · 23/10/2020 22:58

@Jenasaurus

Im wondering, if you hadnt had your test results back and told them you had symptoms and were still waiting the results they would have told you to come in for your appointment.
I doubt it. Most people in the beauty trade I know are very stringent as they don’t want to be the source. It would finish them off.
MrsFogi · 23/10/2020 23:04

I think that if the scenario was that you developed symptoms and had an appointment that day/day after and cancelled you should not get charged. However, here you had symptoms and then waited until you had a result and it was too late for the hairdresser to fill your slot so I thknk they are being more than generous offering that you pay only half.

Time2change2 · 23/10/2020 23:05

Gosh, no way would I pay, Covid or otherwise! If my hairdresser had this rule, I would just not pay or turn up and go somewhere else next time

Lucked · 23/10/2020 23:08

I wouldn’t pay unless this is what I had agreed to or been directed to the terms and conditions at booking. I would happily pay a 10% deposit at the time of booking but to have 50% sprung on you when it is outwith your control is unreasonable.

It sounds like you didn’t know about this so (as long as you are willing to find a new hairdresser) don’t pay and move on.

Lindy2 · 23/10/2020 23:08

Perhaps in normal times a late cancellation should mean some costs are covered by the client, but at the moment, in a pandemic and poor OP testing positive for Coronavirus - a bit of compassion wouldn't go amiss!

I think it's pretty rubbish of the hairdresser to focus on her finances when you've just let them know you've got Coronavirus and you have to cancel to stop them catching it too. I wouldn't go there again.

I hope you are well again soon.

Coldwinds · 23/10/2020 23:10

@Time2change2

Gosh, no way would I pay, Covid or otherwise! If my hairdresser had this rule, I would just not pay or turn up and go somewhere else next time
Sadly this is what the beauty trade have to put up with..

Honestly I don’t think people realise this is an actual income that people pay tax on and many other financial contributions Confused

Your paying to see a skilled and educated professional Confused

Nicknacky · 23/10/2020 23:12

Coldwinds I totally agree. I think people really dismiss the hair and beauty trade as something frivolous and not what is paying their mortgage and bills.

BananaSpanner · 23/10/2020 23:17

I wouldn’t pay for a service I didn’t receive for a cancellation that I didn’t want to make but had to. I get that the hairdresser loses out and I am sympathetic to that but I’m not made of money either and actually, if the stylist were to take a late booking in replacement of mine, they would end up profiting from my misfortune and my hair would still need doing when I was better!

shrill · 23/10/2020 23:19

@MyWeddingFund

I let them know the day before I had symptoms and was having a test. Results came the same day of the appointment and I let them know.
Then they do not understand . Should have wished you a speedy recovery and said thank you for not coming in.
BobCat2020 · 23/10/2020 23:22

I wouldn't pay OP. It's not your hairdresser's fault, but it's not your fault either. I would go to a new hairdresser next time.

GabsAlot · 23/10/2020 23:22

so its ok for them to cancel but not you

i wouldnt go back

Winniewonka · 23/10/2020 23:22

Going by the logic of the majority on here, shouldn't the Hairdresser be giving the OP a free or half price appointment as she cancelled on OP a few weeks ago for the same reason? No, because it's exceptional circumstances beyond the control of both of them.
Why are so many people querying Covid results in 24 hours. My son got his returned last weekend within this time frame.

Maria53 · 23/10/2020 23:25

If they didn't they should have asked you for a deposit. I had to do that.

The hairdresser shouldn't make you pay half imo be try to think about the long game. Are they likely to have you as a customer if they make you pay half and dont accept your reason OR if they are reasonable and let you rearrange?

Coldwinds · 23/10/2020 23:27

@Nicknacky

Coldwinds I totally agree. I think people really dismiss the hair and beauty trade as something frivolous and not what is paying their mortgage and bills.
I think it’s reminiscent of aunty sue pulling your hair through a bleach cap in your kitchen!

Honestly the ladies I know in the beauty trade have worked their socks off, done as many qualifications they can, pay their insurance, respect and love their clients, have multiple children to pay for, work with cancer survivors pay daft amounts of tax and rental leases it’s not fair. They are a essential necessity for some people.

Credits where it’s due

TildaTurnip · 23/10/2020 23:30

My hairdresser would be thanking me for not going! Because appts have been hard to come by, there is a worry people won’t say they have any symptoms and go anyway. One missed appointment compared to potentially two weeks + means YANBU. These are not normal times.

Coldwinds · 24/10/2020 00:00

@TildaTurnip

My hairdresser would be thanking me for not going! Because appts have been hard to come by, there is a worry people won’t say they have any symptoms and go anyway. One missed appointment compared to potentially two weeks + means YANBU. These are not normal times.
No I agree these are not normal times but honestly why should they be down on their wages? Do they have no bills to pay?
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