Deposit for beauty treatment

[JustPressRed]

I'm not even sure why this is MN-worthy as it's ridiculously trivial, but genuinely interested in the mass opinion.

I recently started having a 4 weekly eyelash treatment done by a local independent beautician in her home. I have been 3 times so far, and each time I have rebooked for the next appointment before leaving. She has asked me to transfer her a deposit prior to the appointment on all occasions (fair enough, and I have no problem with this at all), although never asks at the time of booking. For the first appointment, she requested the deposit a couple of days beforehand, the second and third appointments she asked for it about a week ahead (after checking 3 or 4 times that I still wanted the appointment, despite me saying yes each time). It has now been only 2 days since my last appointment, and just under 4 weeks until my next one, but I have had a message from her checking that I still want the appointment and if so, please can I send her the deposit well ahead of time.

I'm not cross as such, but I think I might be a little 'offended' that I feel as time goes on, she seems to trust that I'm going to turn up less and less. I'm also finding the constant questioning over still wanting my appointments irritating. I have never let her down or cancelled (although out of the 3 appointments I've had so far, she has changed the time of 2 of them due to childcare issues, meaning I had to reshuffle work around to fit in with her), I have always arrived on time and tip her generously (£10 tip for a £40 treatment), as she does a good job.

AIBU here? Is the expectation such that I should just automatically transfer the deposit to her when booking, without her having to ask me? If that's the case, then I'd like to think she should request it face-to-face at the time of booking and not wait a couple of days and then message me for it.

Just to reiterate, I don't mind paying a deposit at all, and guessing that she's probably been messed around or let down in the past for her to have this policy. But this is just making me feel she is becoming increasingly suspicious of me as time goes on and I've no idea why! It is starting to make me question whether I should look elsewhere, but I'm reluctant - as I said, she does a pretty good job, she's a young mum who is working hard to support her family, plus she's local and I'm a great advocate of supporting our local businesses.

When you book say, shall I pay the deposit now. Job done.

The mithering would be annoying
i would pay the deposit when I book each appt so it’s done

She's obviously being let down but is still unsure of how to assert herself and her policies.

I had this with my lovely hairdresser who was being let down over and over. She now takes half as a deposit at the time of booking. Otherwise people think oh it's only lashes or it's only hair and don't turn up.

Why don't you gently say to her it would be easier and clearer if she asked for the deposit when booking in.

She's probably not confident enough yet and fears she'll lose customers. If she's good she won't. But she does need a consistent policy for all appointments.

I would pay the deposit on the day of booking.

if it doesn’t suit you to rearrange close to the appointment, then I wouldn’t be bending my flexibility.

I find most beauty therapists are quite militant about their booking process, which is fine. But I do take a bit of umbridge when they don’t respect that time management isn’t a two way street.

It could be that she’s sorting deposits and messages separately from the time of booking. E.g. I do one evening when I sit and pay for DD’s activities and stuff even if I’ve booked them a few days before.
Or it could be that she is asking you to pay your deposit when she needs money e.g to pay bills.
Usually businesses send your reminders a lot it’s just that they’re automatic ones so look less personal.

A £10 tip on £40?? Wow!

And yes, I’m surprised how much you tip, it doesn’t matter how you call it , it’s practically the treatment costs you £50 .

My hair dresser does this. I booked my appt then the week before she tags the clients to pay their deposit. I don't mind. I know she's doing it because of many no shows

That's a really good point about reminders for payment! I wouldn't bat an eye at a reminder from a blue chip company, I guess.

This is why I sometimes love MN, when someone comes along and offers up something you might not have thought about before. Thank you!

I agree with just asking at the next appointment if she wants the deposit there and then. I'd be annoyed with the random reminders too.

You've set a rod for your back with starting at a £10 tip every time! Personally, I feel that is for exceptional service above and beyond. Having to change your work around on more than 1 occasion because of HER issue, especially when you had paid a deposit, isn't a service at all, let alone an exceptional one!

I'm in a related field.

I promise you, it's not personal.

This is her income, and she will have been messed around with late cancellations and no shows - and she has probably had to resort to doing to make sure that she will be able to pay her bills. I know many people in this type of role, and everyone I know that does this, hates that it has become necessary. But it's easier to get a deposit in advance than it is to get the money, even when it's stated in the terms and conditions, after a no show. People can more easily accept losing their deposit than they can paying (often 50%) for a service they didn't receive - even though it's their own fault.

Imagine if you turned up for work, but your boss didn't give you anything to do and therefore decided not to pay you? It's kinda like that. It's not a perfect analogy but it's the closest I've got.

It's not that she thinks you won't turn up - but she's just protecting herself against the possibility.

My hairdressers takes a deposit when I book

Could you suggest a rolling deposit you pay once she keeps it you then pay in full at each appointment so much easier.