To think I should pay for missed appointment?

[pelagra]

I got confused about dates and missed a hairdressers appointment. It was a week until I realised, and I felt so guilty I thought I'd never show my face again.
I've now gathered myself together enough to call, apologise and book a new appointment.
I commented to a friend that this would be an expensive trip as I'd be paying for both appointments, and she said I should only pay for one. I am right to offer to pay for both though, aren't I?

My hairdresser charges £10 if you don’t give 24 hours notice and cancel. Maybe yours has a policy for this. I’d ask them.

All the hairdressers round us charge a deposit on booking to avoid exactly this. If you miss your appointment then you don’t get your deposit back. Varies a bit on how much.
I’m surprised they didn’t call you or say anything at the time.

Just be honest and say you got your dates mixed up and see what their policy is. If youre a valuable customer and don't often miss appointments then they might just say don't worry, they might have a charge but I wouldn't pay for the entire appointment!

If you would require any products then I wouldn't expect to pay for those twice.

It was just an accident. I’d just say ‘I’m so sorry, that’s not like me at all, just a mixup’ and leave a good tip. Plus ensure it doesn’t happen again.

You'd have to pay at my hairdressers. They have a sign up saying they require 24 hours for a cancellation and full price will be charged.

You're doing the right thing to at least offer to pay

I'm also surprised they didn't call you. My hairdresser does this in case people have just forgotten and could make it down in 10/20/whatever minutes. If they didn't mention a charge when you called, they probably don't have that policy and I'd just leave a good tip.

I don't think they could call me, they have never asked for my number. I always book the next appointment when I pay, so I have never phoned them until this time.

So you’re a regular customer? I think in that case you’re definitely fine. Just explain it was a mistake and they’ll remember that you’re normally reliable.

I’m self employed and own a salon and I won’t rebook a no show client without the full cost of the missed appointment. I can’t afford to sit around not earning when someone else could have been in that slot. I think you should absolutely pay. They will value your honesty and business for much more for being respectful of their time

No, I wouldn’t pay if it’s not in their T&Cs.

Paying double is taking virtue signalling too far.

I wouldn't offer.

Explain your error & apologise. If they have stated T&C around missed appointments, then of course you pay but don't go jumping to offer.

Wait and see what happens when you go. I’m a reliable customer, so when I went to the wrong office and missed my osteopath appointment he was sympathetic and didn’t charge me because it was out of the ordinary. However, today, whilst I was at my dentist, I could hear the receptionists discussing the fees for a repeat offender. So I think it depends a bit on whether you’re “worth it”.

I'd 100% offer to pay for it, failing that tip big. I missed a nail appointment due to my child being unwell, I straight away messaged my beautician to charge my card for the appointment. I wouldn't want her out of pocket for something that wasn't her fault.

I missed an appointment with my hairdresser once because I totally forgot.

When I went on the rebooked day, she didn't ask me to pay for the missed appointment (she even tried refusing to accept my money) but I did pay.

There was no way she could have filled that slot with zero notice so she lost money because of my forgetfulness.

Morally, I owed her that money.

The salon I go to takes full payment for a no show or cancelled within 24 hours.

I missed my last appointment because I got covid and obviously couldn’t go but thankfully they didn’t take any payment for that.

I think if you are a regular customer and normally reliable a hairdresser probably wouldn't charge you.

Hmmm, you shouldn't be paying for products not used. I'd leave a tip big enough to cover the hairdressers time but that's likely to be £40 plus realistically if you have the full works

This

What did they say about the missed appointment when you called to rebook?

Mine is 50% on booking since covid.

Yes, I think it was inefficiency on my part not to know what day it was, and my hairdresser had no chance to rebook as she didn't know. I only have a cut and blowdry, and since we are in a rural backwater it isn't expensive.

It was so plain to me that I didn't mention it when I called to rebook, and now I 'm thinking I should have. It was only when I mentioned to my friend that I'd have to postpone buying some bits for my hobby that she said she wouldn't pay.

I would definitely offer to pay the full cost of the appointment I missed. Most hairdressers are self employed, that’s a lot of money to miss out on. I missed a nail appointment last minute and asked my lady to charge my card for the full cost as it was my fault not hers, she wouldn’t take it as I’m a regular and been going for years with no problem but I’d have happily paid. Especially at the moment people don’t even cancel and just don’t care - it’s really unfair!

I wouldn't feel morally obliged to pay the full charge for an accidentally missed appointment assuming the T&Cs didn't require it, especially as a long-time client. It happens. If the salon cared that much they would charge a deposit at the time of booking and have proper T&Cs covering it (which many do).

Just offer to pay and see what they say. They do need to have a cancellation policy though, they can't just make it up as they go along.

In my experience, for long time regulars they don't tend to charge for cancellations but they might for someone not turning up.