Hairdresser taking 50% deposit

[Northernlass99]

I've been going to my hairdressing salon for 15 years. When they re-opened after lockdown and everyone was desperate for appointments they asked for 50% deposit on booking which I didn't mind.

However they are still asking for this. My next appointment is 8 weeks away so they have 60 quid off me which they hold for the next 8 weeks.

Is this normal. I wasn't very happy but I reluctantly handed it over because I love my hairdresser. They said they are doing it to prevent last minute cancellations. But this combined with the eye watering cost for a cut and colour, makes me inclined to look elsewhere.

AIBU? Or is it really necessary?

Why is it a problem? You’ll be paying the money anyway when you have your hair cut so why do you object to paying half of it when you book?

I think they’re wise to ask for a deposit. They are no doubt operating at a lower capacity and are trying to protect their income - it’s tough to be a small business at the moment.

Could you not make your appointment nearer the time in future?

I wouldn’t be happy. You should be able to cancel a hair appointment you no longer want, or need, or can’t afford, without losing 50% of the cost of a haircut. Within a reasonable time period 50% is fine (if, for example, you book an appointment three days from now), because they no longer have a chance to fill that appointment. But the likelihood is that if you cancel they might still get someone else to occupy that appointment. Then they get 1.5 x the fee.

Same as restaurants (which I also think should take deposits), places like this have been restricted, even now, on how many people they can serve so they are already losing money. If a proportion of them dont turn up then that’s even more loss.

@Justmuddlingalong

Could you not make your appointment nearer the time in future?

This is the thing. They get really booked up so you have to book straight after your last appointment. Mine is booked up for 10 weeks now. This makes me think they would have no trouble filling the slot if someone cancelled. But I do understand they are operating in tricky times.

My friend runs a hairdresser she is still taking deposits she was having no shows . I don't see a huge issue you will be paying for it anyway you have been going years its not as if it is a new salon.

I mean if you are unhappy then obviously find a new hairdresser.

I think you’re being unreasonable. Sounds to me like they’ve had a problem with a lot of last minute cancellations/no shows, which can kill their business very quickly. If you’re planning to attend it shouldn’t be a problem. You could always enquire more about their cancellation policy - maybe they take a deposit on booking, and if you cancel over a week in advance they maybe don’t apply the cancellation fee which I think would be reasonable, as they have time to fill the appointment

This is what lots of places are doing now. Put it on credit card and then at least have one month of not paying for it.

I don’t blame them, even more so at the moment they can’t afford no shows.

If you cancel well in advance that’s one thing but many just don’t turn up and when they have already had to reduce capacity that can be a big blow

I think its unreasonable if you cancel well in advance.

Maybe just ask if you can go on a waiting list for last minute cancellations?

What do they do if they cancel at the last minute because the stylist is ill? I would want to know that I would get my deposit back, and not just applied to another appointment.

I think I'd be a lot more concerned about being charged £120 for a cut and a colour.

If you think it is worth that, then, with interest rates as they are now, you aren't really loosing out on anything by her holding the money rather than you.
I'd be interested to know what her terms were in terms of exceptional circumstances though. A lot can happen in 10 weeks, from job losses to illness to bereavement.

What are her terms if you have to isolate? Or if you have covid19, or if you were in hospital ? etc.

I 'get' then need to act to prevent no-shows, but I think there has to be a certain amount of leeway. If they are so busy you need to book 10 weeks in advance, then I suspect they could easily fill the appt if you gave them 3 weeks notice of not being able to get there.

My hairdressers do this as they had a lot of people cancelling on them and then they can't always fill the slots.

I see no issue paying it to be honest because you'd be paying it anyway.

The lady who does my nails now has an online booking system (she does nails/ manicures/ pedicures/ brows and eyelashes and you pay in full on the online system now

Again if you'd be paying anyway I see no problem in doing that.

I have been paying 25% deposit for my dog’s grooming appointments for years. This is 8 weeks in advance or I don’t seem to get the dog an appointment.

My hairdresser is now asking for 25% deposit upon booking, but I don’t tend to book that far in advance - however as I’m flexible on timings it’s not been a problem.

A few restaurants I have booked are also asking for a deposit, two recently asked for full payment in advance (set menu places).

I don’t mind and do make note of cancellation policies just in case.

Sadly I think it is for a few reasons now and only partially due to covid. Also because of too many no shoes and places working much closer to costs.

I think I'd be a lot more concerned about being charged £120 for a cut and a colour.

This. I'm unable to focus on the actual question from shock.

Are you sure you are Northern, OP?

I think it's annoying but I can see why they do it. I remember a thread a few days ago where the hairdresser wanted the OP to pay deposit/for the appt when they let them know they couldn't attend due to a positive covid test which I think is a bit ridiculous when it's actually against the law for OP to attend, and would end up shutting down the salon further down the line if they spread the virus. Personally, if my hairdresser suddenly started it I'd be surprised. I can't really afford to pay half upfront, I make my appointment after working out a date I can afford to have it done and pay for it (like after getting money as a birthday gift).

Ha yeah, I know!! Eye watering. But most of the good places around here are similar. Maybe I’ll have a look around but when you find a hairdresser you like it’s gold dust!!

Glad to hear the deposit is fairly normal practice now then.

Totally understand why they are doing this, but it's not for me. My local salon doesn't charge deposits, but the flip side is they will accept a walk-in that will overlap with my appointment. Sometimes I've waited 2-30 minutes, and I accept it because sometimes I've had to cancel with short notice.

But the actual cost is exactly the same, you only pay more if you cancel. I think it makes a lot of sense as they’re presumably getting more cancellations than normal due to people self isolate. And if they are operating at reduced capacity due to social distancing measures, each cancellation would have a proportionally bigger impact on the salon.

I would ask whether you can get the deposit refunded or moved to another appointment if you cancel with plenty of notice so they can refill the slot (especially given how busy they are). But in the end if you don’t like it you’re free to find a different hairdresser

How much notice of cancellation do you need to give to get your deposit back?

The deposit can be moved if you move/change your appointment up to four days before the appointment. But if you just don't show then you forfeit it.

Not sure why it irked me as I do totally understand they are working on tight margins and fewer customers.

I guess if you had just paid then been asked to pay again then I can see why you inwardly tutted about it,

At the moment it's normal for my salon and you need to give at least 24 hours notice of cancellation to get it back...not sure what would happen if you got a fever on the day of the appointment. All their appointments are booked up until the end of the year.