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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hairdressers - called to ask to change time then a completely different hairdresser cut my hair

46 replies

Kattekit · 22/04/2022 23:21

I live in a rather small town so finding a good hairdresser has taken some time. My last appointment 8 weeks ago I was talked into a whole restyle. I loved it. Had booked an appointment for today which was about 8 weeks later.

I got a phone call on Tuesday asking if I’d mind changing my appointment time from 3pm to 5pm. I was happy to change.

I turn up at the salon and instantly forget the hairdressers name. Brain fog on my part due to Fibromyalgia and long Covid. It takes me a minute and I then remember and give the name let’s just say it was Louise. The receptionist says oh do you mean Alice? I say no and she asks me to take a seat. A lady I’ve never seen before takes me over and seats me (this has happened before, especially if the hairdresser was running behind)
Next thing I know Alice has scissors in hand and is cutting my hair. At this point I asked where Louise was. Apparently she left about 7-8 weeks ago. I’ve ended up with the tiniest of trims and been charged the normal senior stylist rate. They also asked if I wanted to book my next appointment, I declined. Now home and really disappointed.

AIBU to have expected to be told this on the phone when they changed my appointment?

Louise & Alice are not the real names, but as different to each other as the real names iykwim

OP posts:
Neverreturntoathread · 22/04/2022 23:26

That’s upsetting, sounds like they were dishonest about the situation until it was too late for you to do anything.

I’ve always had the hairdressers name confirmed when I book the appii And when they call the day before to reconfirm, plus, on the occasions where my hairdresser has moved on (so annoying!!) they tell me that on the phone. They never tell me where shes gone to of course but I’d be upset if I arrived and no one had told me that there was a stylist change.

ZeroCaffeine · 22/04/2022 23:30

Well why didn’t say something during the multiple opportunities you had to do so? You could have objected:
at reception when they said Alice
when Alice started cutting
when paying
when they asked if you wanted to rebook

SeemsSoUnfair · 22/04/2022 23:50

Next thing I know Alice has scissors in hand and is cutting my hair

Really? She just popped up out of nowhere and started cutting with no hello and absolutely no conversation about how much you would like off etc?

If you are not happy you deal with it while it is happening.

WhackingPhoenix · 22/04/2022 23:54

You sound very passive. I don’t believe for a moment that ‘Alice’ just started cutting without a word. Use your words if you aren’t happy.

Though what did you expect them to do if the original hairdresser had left?

Hunderland · 22/04/2022 23:57

If, when you phoned to book, you asked to book with Louise then YANBU.

If you loved your previous new hairstyle and simply phoned the hairdresser's to make a repeat appointment then YABU.

Indicatrice · 23/04/2022 04:44

Why didn’t you say anything?

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/04/2022 05:46

YANBU to have expected to be told. Are you still equally happy with your hair as last time? You may not have got on with Alice as well but if the cut is the same then you’d be cutting off your nose to spite your face going elsewhere.

Pyri · 23/04/2022 06:09

SeemsSoUnfair · 22/04/2022 23:50

Next thing I know Alice has scissors in hand and is cutting my hair

Really? She just popped up out of nowhere and started cutting with no hello and absolutely no conversation about how much you would like off etc?

If you are not happy you deal with it while it is happening.

Yeah exactly this, I don’t understand how these scenarios just passively happen to so many MNers!

LoveAllCakes · 23/04/2022 06:12

Alice didn’t say ‘hi, how are you, what are we doing today?’ If not and I was so particular I’d have asked WTH when some random stylist was about to take a pair of scissors to my hair. Then I would have asked them to blow dry my hair before leaving. Did you honestly say nothing whilst your hair was being cut by a stranger?

LetitiaLeghorn · 23/04/2022 06:20

I sympathise, op. I'd be a bit like this. Taken aback and just going with it. It puts you in a weak position to complain about Alice but you can still complain about the cut and the price.
But if I were you, I'd ring them again and ask for Louise and then ask where she's gone to. Or if they won't tell you, and they probably won't, get on the phone and start ringing round the other the hairdressers to see if you can track her down.

ZombeaArthur · 23/04/2022 06:46

Is Alice a senior stylist too? I’d expect to pay the same rate if both stylists are in the same role.

Bluesheep8 · 23/04/2022 07:01

Really? She just popped up out of nowhere and started cutting with no hello and absolutely no conversation about how much you would like off etc?

This. Plus didn't someone wash your hair first?

Merryclaire · 23/04/2022 07:10

If is bad communication, but then if you couldn’t remember your hairdresser’s name I would imagine you didn’t have that kind of long-standing relationship where they knew your hair and what worked for you etc. I’ve been seeing my hairdresser for years and you do build up that bond - so if I turned up and she wasn’t there I would immediately expect an explanation.

Londontown12 · 23/04/2022 07:18

It’s terrible ! I used to work in a salon like this it’s to keep you as a client ! I personally don’t agree with it that’s why I left (1 of the many reasons )

dottiedodah · 23/04/2022 07:31

I think they caught you unawares. Obv they knew it would be awkward to say no to Alice once there. Maybe look around for another hairdresser.usually they will have reviews so you can see what others think

ilovesooty · 23/04/2022 08:10

I never have understood why people are so passive in the hairdressers and don't speak up if they aren't happy about what's going on. They then pay up, leave and whinge afterwards.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 23/04/2022 08:19

I’m not sure what you expect them to do if she’s left . Did you expect them to say sorry Louise has left so you can’t have your hair cut . They gave you another hairdresser and when you asked where she was they told you ? I’m really not sure what your point is ? .

Ariela · 23/04/2022 08:24

I'd ask about locally if anyone knows where Louise from the hair salon has moved to.

ShaneTwane · 23/04/2022 08:24

and been charged the normal senior stylist rate.

Why would you not be? Why would Alice not be a senior stylist just because you had Louise cut your hair once? Louise isn't the only senior stylist in the world and if she left then they have obviously replaced her with another.

Also as others have said you need to speak up at the time.

FromOurHatsToOurFeet · 23/04/2022 08:32

I had this at a high street chain but they would have given you 20% off at booking to apologise for Louise leaving and asked if you wanted Alice or someone else. My Alice then left so I got 20% off my next cut too!

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 23/04/2022 08:46

ilovesooty · 23/04/2022 08:10

I never have understood why people are so passive in the hairdressers and don't speak up if they aren't happy about what's going on. They then pay up, leave and whinge afterwards.

So you've never met an introvert? It's taken me until I've hit my 40s to be brave enough to speak up when I'm not happy in any situation like this. I wasn't brought up to speak up for myself and it's not an easy thing to do if it's something you're uncomfortable with

Original poster
Kattekit · 23/04/2022 10:55

So to answer a few questions:
I went with freshly shampooed hair - I was having a bad day with fibromyalgia so couldn’t bear to lie back for them to shampoo it.

I booked my appointment directly with Louise at the end of my last haircut

The name situation it does sound a lot to believe I understand that, but any fellow fibromyalgia sufferers will understand what I mean by brain fog. I have been having my hair done by Louise for around 4 years.

I didn’t say anything as I wanted to give Alice a chance, I asked that she trim my hair keeping to the same style. This isn’t what I got.

As for the senior stylist, in all 4 years I’ve never seen Alice at the salon. Looking on their website she was a trainee hairdresser only 2 years ago.

sorry if I’ve missed any questions

OP posts:
gettingolderandgrumpy · 23/04/2022 11:16

That’s fair enough op but I still don’t understand what you expected them to do if she had left . If you didn’t want your haircut by this other lady did you not want a alternative? In regards to not being happy that you were charged for a senior she may have recently been promoted or because of experience from another salon. The actual disappointment of the haircut ok and I get that you didn’t want to or felt you couldn’t speak up . They are not unreasonable though , just find a different hairdresser for next time .

TabithaTittlemouse · 23/04/2022 11:19

Why didn’t you say that you wanted it shorter?

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 23/04/2022 11:20

I've had similar. As soon as 'Alice' appeared I asked where Louise was. When I was told she wasn't available I said I was sure Alice was very good but I particularly wanted Louise to do my hair so I'd leave it for today. And went home.

it was good that you gave Alice a chance but you should have spoken up about the price "That seems a lot for a trim' not just paid up and then fumed.

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