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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be a bit [hmm] about this beauty salon 's (if that is what they are still called!) voucher policy

42 replies

Tommy · 01/02/2008 09:49

A friend gave me a voucher of a manicure for my birthday last June - lovely surprise as I don't often get to be pampered having 3 young DSs and no money. Anyway, for various reasons - no childcare, wanting to save the manicure for a special occasion, DS3 being in hospital etc etc - I didn't get around to using it.

Last week I was chatting to another friend about feeling a bit down and how I never got any time to myself etc etc and told her about this voucher. She offered to have all 3 DSs for the whole day in half term so I could get a manicure and anything else I wanted to do

So, I got the voucher out to pohone the salon and discovered that it was only valid for 6 months. Sop I phoned the daon to ask if they would still accept and they said no. I asked them why and they ouldn't give me a reply and the woman I spoke to said she would get her boss to phone me back.

She phoned back and said I could redeem the voucher but only in their "quiet" times - Mon-Wed - and that I coudn't book it in advance but would have to phone on the day to see if they could fit me in. Obviously this is not going to help my situation much as I'll have to give my friend a bit more notice than that.

Does this sound a bit odd to you? I know it's their business and they can do what they like really but this treament had already been paid for and I can't see why it would make a difference when I came. Also, I think I wouldn't feel very comfortable going there, supposedl to be pamered, when they are not letting nme book it at a convenient time.

Should I just not bother?

What would you do?

OP posts:

Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 09:50

sorry about all the typos but pressed "create convo" instead of preview

OP posts:

MrsFogi · 01/02/2008 09:51

Whatever happens, make sure you use it and enjoy it! Does it state 6 mths on the voucher?

binkleandflip · 01/02/2008 09:52

i think vouchers do tend to have a validity date on them as they are generally issued as a marketing tool and so when they sold it they may have needed to generate manicure business whereas now they are busier for example.

I know its offputting but I do think it is pretty standard across all industries for vouchers to expire.

morningpaper · 01/02/2008 09:53

It's quite normal

binkleandflip · 01/02/2008 09:53

If it doesnt have an expiry date on the voucher (I would be very suprised if it hasnt) then you have the right to demand the treatment IMO

LadyMuck · 01/02/2008 09:55

It depends on exactly what is said on the voucher including whether it links to any terms and conditions.

Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 09:56

the voucher does say 6 months and I knew that when I phoned but I don't really see why, if they are willing to accept the voucher, why I can't just book it as normal

If I just phone on the off chance, I will have to take DS3 with me which is not very relaxing which was the whole point of the present!

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nailpolish · 01/02/2008 09:58

most vouchers do have an expiry time

its a shame

binkleandflip · 01/02/2008 09:58

because it is on their terms I guess as they dont HAVE to honour the voucher at all.

nailpolish · 01/02/2008 09:59

i have to take dd2 with me to appts like this too

do they have any skin care products or whatever you could buy with the voucher instead?

Baffy · 01/02/2008 10:01

I have heard of this before, my local salon does it too.

Can you call back and say you really appreciate their compromise but due to having 3 dc and difficult childcare issues you would like to book the actual day in advance - so can they look at their book and advise you which day that week is the quietest for them, and book you in?

I know it leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you're having all this hassle getting it booked, but it really would be a shame for you to miss out.

(The accountant in me also does understand why they do put this 6 month time limit on, they need to keep some control over what vouchers are out there and when they will be used, but I won't bore you!)

I hope you get it sorted out.

Lulumama · 01/02/2008 10:01

i think saying you have to phone on the day is a bit off... i thikn an expiry is fine, but surely a business would want to encourage clients to book and come back rather than make it really difficult

Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 10:08

I would think that too lulumama. I can't imagine me booking anything else there or reccommending them after this but I have just thought that I could take DS3 with me when he is particularly tired and grouchy - which might make them think again the next time.

What do you think?

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Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 10:10

if it's one of those swanky places with soft music then a grumpy one year old might be just what they need to encourage custom

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nailpolish · 01/02/2008 10:11

do they sell skin care produicts or whatever you could buy with the voucher?

binkleandflip · 01/02/2008 10:11

to be fair, although snotty, I think they are being quite accommodating.

Imagine if you went into a shop with an expired voucher and tried to spend it - you wouldnt have a chance I dont think. So yes, they are being awkward - in terms of business - they already have the revenue from the voucher so dont need you to come in for the treatment per se - I personally would feel uncomfortable going in for the treatment in your position too if I am honest but I also cant really fault the salon - as they are doing you a favour by still saying they will do the treatment (albeit at their convenience)

Baffy · 01/02/2008 10:13

Maybe you should tell them that when you ring back
Explain that you'll book on the day if necessary, and say "I trust you don't mind that if you insist I can't book in advance, I will have to bring my 1yo ds with me, but don't worry, he does cry a lot and is into everything, but if we give him some [insert messy/loud toys], then he'll be fine!"

They may be more willing to book you in then!

binkleandflip · 01/02/2008 10:14

I think that will lead them to say for you not to bother coming in to be honest! Not all Salons will accept children on the premises for health and safety reasons and you are asking for them to invoke this if you start being arsey on the phone

pelafina · 01/02/2008 10:20

Message withdrawn

Baffy · 01/02/2008 10:22

I agree with binkleandflip - I think they are being accomodating. The voucher has expired and they're willing to let you still use it.

I think my first suggestion is your best shot, say you appreciate their compromise and is there any way they can tell you which is their quietest day/provisionally book you in, so that you can organise childcare for 3 dc.

stleger · 01/02/2008 10:27

Most vouchers have a date, and after that you are at the mercy of the issuer. I work for a company where vouchers have no expiry date. There are still unredeemed vouchers from Christmas 2005, some for quite high amounts. The accountant wants an expiry date, as they confuse the figures - the money is in, goods could be 'purchased' at any time. My advice is not to give vouchers as a present, they go unused more often than you would think, you are often giving money to a shop etc. as a gift.

Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 10:28

I know you're right binkleandflip, I just think that from a customer service point of view, they might want to be a little more accommodating.

I'm also pretty sure that a lot of places don't have expiry dates on their vouchers anymore - have used some 2 year old ones from M&S recently

Not sure they would let me have beauty products and, to be honest, I wouldn't use them anyway.

I think I will just phone them next MOnday and try and get an appointment and take DS3 with me.

Ah well, the best laid plans and all that... will have to think of something else to do in half term when my friend has all the DSs!

Thanks

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OracleInaCoracle · 01/02/2008 10:32

i also think they are being very accomodating, the voucher expired nearly 2m ago and they don't have to honour it. i understand your frustration, but think you are being a bit unreasonable tbh. sorry.

Olihan · 01/02/2008 10:39

According to Trading Standards, vouchers with an expiry date are unlawful as they are the equivalent of cash so the issuer is obliged to honour then at any point.

I only know because we had some cinema vouchers that had expired but the cinema (Vue) said they had been told by TS that they had to accept them.

Might be worth bringing that to the salon's attention?

Original poster

Tommy · 01/02/2008 10:45

that's interesting Olihan - I might tell them that after a woman with a shar[ implement has been near my hands.....

May go and look that up - I like to have knowledge in these situations!!

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