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?

How many “full heads” do you have, OP? They can’t charge for more than one...
I’d be refusing to pay half of both “full head” charges and remove the tip as a minimum, along with threatening them with reporting them to their local trade association for underhand practices to do with their website...

So glad I don't get Balyage, didn't realise the price was so expensive.

Wow do people really not understand what she had done?

First, her base colour needed done because of her roots. If her roots were longer than the simple roots (very likely considering lockdown) then she needed more than a root touch up - full head colour no. 1

Then she had balayage on top - full head colour no. 2.

She got 3 different services and the price reflects that...

If you’re not happy with paying for the service provided by probably a very experienced person then you’re completely obliged to go somewhere they’re cheaper but I can guarantee the service will never be the same
That's such an arrogant thing to say. Wrong too.
I had a cut from an experienced hairdresser who charged £60. She didn't listen to me, didn't give me what I'd asked for. Had my hair cut again at a different place, for £39. Listened to what I said, asked good questions about how I liked to wear my hair/products I like/time I want to put into styling etc. Gave me what I'd asked for, and an excellent-quality cut that people have commented on. Terrific service too; courteous, friendly, a real pleasure.
Cost isn't always an indicator of quality of work.

@NCAccount

Wow do people really not understand what she had done?

First, her base colour needed done because of her roots. If her roots were longer than the simple roots (very likely considering lockdown) then she needed more than a root touch up - full head colour no. 1

Then she had balayage on top - full head colour no. 2.

She got 3 different services and the price reflects that...

That's not the impression OP gave at all with the service she received... Seems OP got 'root shadow' to tidy up greys, which is what I have done too. It's not the same as all over perm colour. Not that you'd need all over colour before a balayage. In fact, my hairdresser, to cover up some of my more 'brassy' parts of old balayage ran some brown colour through my lengths after the balayage foils were in, but doesn't seem to have charged me for it, and if she did, it was very little. I think it's clear that Rush has taken the piss with OP. They're just a bang average high-street hairdressers, I'd never pay that price there. Hardly Vidal Sassoon is it? At least OP has highlighted that we should avoid Rush. The fact that they try to pass off a full head of balayage for £130 as an 'offer' is laughable in itself. They've clearly set out to deceive people, because that is a standard price for balayage, so people will assume you get the added extras included.

@charlieginger1987

Thanks for all your comments ladies. I think I'm just going to have to chalk this one up to experience.

For those who have asked I've lived in central London since 2006 and have never paid close to a price like this. I've had hair appointments where the cut's included in the colour, I've booked appointments where the cost of covering roots is included in the full head service, so I've had a bit of experience but have just never been charged £300 before. I was prepared to take a hit of around £180 give or take - but my bill was over £100 more. In my opinion that's still loads for London.

I'll see what Rush come back with because I don't see how placing some well targeted root dye on each side of my head, which took all of 5-10 minutes, cost £65. Last time I paid for colour a root tint wasn't charged separately and today I was never warned it would be this much by the stylist. I think if I've been mischarged it has to be for this element! But equally maybe I just wasn't prepared or aware that I would need this service 🤦🏻‍♀️

Glad most of you are as shocked - and ladies from my experience don't do what I did and not double check how much it will be when they sit you in the chair! 😂😂

Hows your hair cut prices been since this one ?