Should I be upset at paying £300 for haircut

[charlieginger1987]

Hi ladies,
Have waited 7 months to get my hair done and finally went today. I got a full head of balayage highlights, a root tint to cover my greys and a cut and blow dry. The website was really unclear and it said £130 for a full head of balayage. Knowing sometimes that hairdressers add optional extras I budgeted £180 just in case. I got to the till, the receptionist seemed awkward, didn't confirm the price straightaway, so I asked her what it was, and £300 appeared on the credit card machine. I can only guess that she didn't say the figure out loud because she was embarrassed to charge me that much. I didn't want to say too much in front of a full salon full of people but I simply said "wow that's expensive?" She shrugged and didn't say anything but "your e-receipt will be sent directly to you". I thought I'd best pay and then query the receipt later as I already felt so embarrassed and caught off guard.

Looking at the receipt they have charged me for:
£130 full head of balayage
£65 full head of permanent colour
£65 ladies cut and finish
£35 olaplex
£5 tip
Total: £300

Am I right to be completely shocked at the price of this?? It did take 4 hours and I have long thick hair but really? Have you ever heard of a haircut this expensive and fellow hair stylists, does this price sound reasonable to you?

Needless to say I have sent Rush an email but am I being unreasonable questioning the price of this haircut?

I pay about £140 for full head highlights, cut n blow dry on the South coast.

This is a ridiculous amount to pay. Awful. I would query that breakdown.

@Treacle200

I had exactly the same issue with Rush in Tunbridge Wells. I had booked online and it showed me the cost in a confirmation email. Anyway, when I went to pay, they wanted to charge £60 more than was confirmed in the booking email. I questioned the cost and they said the level of stylist I had chosen wasn't available so a higher level stylist did my hair. Of course I made it clear that this was not my error and I only expect to pay what was confirmed on my booking email. They then spent 20 minutes fiddling with their computer and dropping the price £10 at a time to see if I would pay the slightly lower amount. I stood my ground until they finally charged the correct price. The whole thing was embarrassing and I won't go back there.

Funnily enough I had same thing with Rush. I booked with a stylist I had been given the name of and when I arrived I was told that someone else was doing my hair as my chosen stylist wasn't available. They neglected to mention that the person doing my hair was the manager and the price band was higher. Tbh I wasn't that impressed with her and I have since been told she deliberately moves clients across to her column to fill her diary and make herself look popular

I paid the bill despite being shocked but I won't ever go back there

Thankfully Ive found someone who was a former style director of a well known chain who has now set up on her own and I'm much happier with my hair at half the cost

I'm not surprised @charlieginger1987. I live in zone 3 and I've paid £220 before for a similar service. I was aware from the start, though, how much each separate component would cost so how much the final bill would be.
Very much chalk it down to experience. At least your hair looks beautiful, as you say!

So many people on here saying their friend does their hair for cheap, and I hear this a lot in real life too. It strikes me that you don’t hear this anywhere near as often with other professions, e.g. electricians, decorators, lawyers, mechanics. What is it about hairdressers that means they are happy offering their services for super cheap, and aren’t people embarrassed to rip off their friends this way?

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

So many people on here saying their friend does their hair for cheap, and I hear this a lot in real life too. It strikes me that you don’t hear this anywhere near as often with other professions, e.g. electricians, decorators, lawyers, mechanics. What is it about hairdressers that means they are happy offering their services for super cheap, and aren’t people embarrassed to rip off their friends this way?

That is a good point but I do think the difference here is that the hairdresser in a salon is either renting a chair or on a much lower salary than the prices may make people think. So if your friend who comes to the house and charges a lower amount it’s not necessarily ripping them off. They might actually be clearing a far higher hourly wage than working in a salon. But yes it depends what you mean by offering services super cheap. I had a friend come to mine to do colour and cut a couple of times. She made such a mess of my bathroom and floors that I really couldn’t wait to make my excuses and go to a different hairdresser. I came to dread it. And it definitely wasn’t super cheap. It was between 70 and 90. No blow dry and not good colour at all. But I wouldn’t ever rip someone off. People deserve to be paid for their time and their skills.

If it helps OP, I once got charged £750 for a hair appointment.

It was actually a mistake, they should have charged £75 but they put a extra zero in. I only realised when the frantic owner turned up at my house later that day to explain the mistake and assure me they would reimburse the over payment.

My hairdresser charges £20 for a basic ladies cut, a few quid extra if they have washed and dried it. I don't think I have ever paid more than £40 even when having it dyed. When I had really short hair I went to the men's barber and had it cut for £8 because the hairdressers wanted £20 for a 5 min cut just because my sex is female. I think you were ripped off but I guess you went to some branded fancy place where they will have inflated prices?

@mynameiscalypso

I've just been on their website and all the separate bits are clearly priced. You may want to query the second colour but otherwise, it's what you asked for. It actually could have been worse - you could have had a more expensive stylist which would have added another £100 or so onto the cost in total.

This. The only element which is questionable is the full head dye. Do they need to charge both? I’m not an expert tho. The pricelist is pretty standard for your average branded salon in central London.

Keep us updated if you complain OP. BTW I'd love to see a pic of your new do! X

@PuppyMonkey

If it helps OP, I once got charged £750 for a hair appointment.

It was actually a mistake, they should have charged £75 but they put a extra zero in. I only realised when the frantic owner turned up at my house later that day to explain the mistake and assure me they would reimburse the over payment.

Wow! Did you not notice at the time?

My card would have been declined!

I’m astounded at the people paying 30 / 50 ish for colour and highlights. A tube of premium colour costs about a tenner . Toner is the same price .
I did an all over colour with highlights last week and charged her 110
2 tubes of hair colour 20
1/2 tube for highlights
1/2 tube of toner . £30 just for product .
Any mobile stylist charging 35 for bleach and toner does not value themselves as after products are earning about £6/7 an hour.
The lady who pays £6 for a hair cut , well I’m shocked . With travelling time added on she is practically doing it for free
I’m disappointed in these people who think that’s an acceptable amount to pay hairdressers . I’ve put my prices up between 5 and 10 pounds for colours , only one lady mentioned it . I value my skills and my time and am heartily sick of people who don’t value our skills .
I joined a few fb hair groups during lockdown and there are clearly 2 camps, the mega cheap stylists and the dearer ones . All amazed at what the others are charging
The stories and behaviour from some clients I’ve been gobsmacked at . Without fail the awful rude clients are from the very cheap mobile stylists who quibble prices, ask to pay next week when they get paid , say they haven’t got enough money to pay once their colour is on . Ive never once been treated like that .

Charging more means you don’t attract bargain hunters who don’t value my time
We have the loveliest clients and I genuinely enjoy all their company ( apart from 1 🤣)
We give free beer , lovely coffee with chocolate and clients love coming .

Why do some of you think we are worth paying so little ? I’m genuinely interested
Would you be happy to pay a joiner 20 for 3 hours work after cost of materials ? Or an electrician ?

To the lady paying £6 . I do hope you at least round it up to £10

After first lockdown last year lots of clients were handing over big notes in tips as they felt so sorry for us .

And no , I don’t do NHS discount too , we do loads of NHS workers but lots are doctors earning way more than me .
Anyway, we aren’t all idiots and deserve respect
Please check prices before you start , avoid chains if you can as they charge way more. Lots of small independent salons are much nicer to visit and need the Buisness too .
But please stop being proud of paying peanuts to people trying to make a living

@SamW98

Was that also the TW Rush?

@earthyfire

Olaplex can be bought online for about £26 and the bottle lasts a few washes depending how long/thick your hair is. If I've ever had a surprise when I've gone to pay I just never go back to that salon again. I also try never to go to a chain.

The Olaplex you buy online is not the same as in salon. In salon olaplex are Olaplex 1&2. They are much stronger and concentrated. The olapleax 0,3,4,5,6,7 &8 are the home products. (Pre shampoo, shampoo, conditioner, styling cream etc)

Going against the grain here but the prices are clear online. The only thing I think to debate about is the cost for the roots. A whole head is 65. A root cover is 55. Other than that, you paid for what you got. 3 separate treatments plus olaplex. Although if they said 20-30 you shouldn't be charged 35

Upset? That would’ve finished me off! Some hairdressers can be absolute cunts for adding extras, plus it’s nothing special either. Find a college & get your hair done there, it’s cheap & they’ll do a much better job.

Excellent point @Valerievalerie

I KNEW this would be Rush from the title!!!

They always have offers that make it look like you are getting a deal and they always add more on. It borders on sharp practice. I have been caught out by them 3 times and NEVER AGAIN.

EG I had the balance for 180 offer - they said it didn't include toner at the till. I argued that balayage was the name of a style with lighter toned hair at the ends - not just "bleaching part of your hair".

Their ads are written SO SO sneakily. I would really caveat emptor with them.

@Valerievalerie

I’m astounded at the people paying 30 / 50 ish for colour and highlights. A tube of premium colour costs about a tenner . Toner is the same price . I did an all over colour with highlights last week and charged her 110 2 tubes of hair colour 20 1/2 tube for highlights 1/2 tube of toner . £30 just for product . Any mobile stylist charging 35 for bleach and toner does not value themselves as after products are earning about £6/7 an hour. The lady who pays £6 for a hair cut , well I’m shocked . With travelling time added on she is practically doing it for free I’m disappointed in these people who think that’s an acceptable amount to pay hairdressers . I’ve put my prices up between 5 and 10 pounds for colours , only one lady mentioned it . I value my skills and my time and am heartily sick of people who don’t value our skills . I joined a few fb hair groups during lockdown and there are clearly 2 camps, the mega cheap stylists and the dearer ones . All amazed at what the others are charging The stories and behaviour from some clients I’ve been gobsmacked at . Without fail the awful rude clients are from the very cheap mobile stylists who quibble prices, ask to pay next week when they get paid , say they haven’t got enough money to pay once their colour is on . Ive never once been treated like that .

Charging more means you don’t attract bargain hunters who don’t value my time
We have the loveliest clients and I genuinely enjoy all their company ( apart from 1 🤣)
We give free beer , lovely coffee with chocolate and clients love coming .

Why do some of you think we are worth paying so little ? I’m genuinely interested
Would you be happy to pay a joiner 20 for 3 hours work after cost of materials ? Or an electrician ?

To the lady paying £6 . I do hope you at least round it up to £10

After first lockdown last year lots of clients were handing over big notes in tips as they felt so sorry for us .

And no , I don’t do NHS discount too , we do loads of NHS workers but lots are doctors earning way more than me .
Anyway, we aren’t all idiots and deserve respect
Please check prices before you start , avoid chains if you can as they charge way more. Lots of small independent salons are much nicer to visit and need the Buisness too .
But please stop being proud of paying peanuts to people trying to make a living

I posted further up about paying £10 for me, my mum and my DD to have our hair cut by a family friend. We have honestly tried to pay her more. I have tried hiding money in her bag at the end of the haircut but she always finds it.

The only way we manage to give her more money is by giving her a large present of a voucher at Christmas.

@Treacle200

I had exactly the same issue with Rush in Tunbridge Wells. I had booked online and it showed me the cost in a confirmation email. Anyway, when I went to pay, they wanted to charge £60 more than was confirmed in the booking email. I questioned the cost and they said the level of stylist I had chosen wasn't available so a higher level stylist did my hair. Of course I made it clear that this was not my error and I only expect to pay what was confirmed on my booking email. They then spent 20 minutes fiddling with their computer and dropping the price £10 at a time to see if I would pay the slightly lower amount. I stood my ground until they finally charged the correct price. The whole thing was embarrassing and I won't go back there.

Hmm not quite “exactly the same” is it...

In your case Rush changed the stylist to a more expensive one without telling you.

In OP’s case she had four different treatments that she requested (apart from the Olaplex which they offered on the day and she accepted) and thought she should only pay for one plus the Olaplex.

OP had a complete makeover of her hair in a salon in the city of London, and then is surprised at the price...

I used to go to this salon. The prices are clear.

£130 was for the balayage only.
Haircut/ blow dry is always a separate price.

You should have calculated all of the treatments, you had quite a lot done.

If it’s your friend then slightly different, but there are lots of people above very gleeful about how little they pay . It’s embarrassing

I think city centre salons are generally quite expensive, as opposed to the ones in suburban areas? If you want multiple services they can really add up. I live in Aus though, so not sure if it's the same over there.

Anyway, I've started going to a walk-in salon now. It's the only way I can get my hair done without being pressured into buying overpriced products, which always ruined the salon experience for me.

Shitting hell
I very very rarely go to a hairdressers. If I do, I ask the cost beforehand, pointing out I have long thick hair.
If a hairdresser asked me for £300 they'd be out of luck as there's no way I could magic that up.