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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to pay this much deposit?

50 replies

Greeny9 · 15/12/2023 14:54

Happy to be told I'm unreasonable! Hair appointment booked for next week, usually have to pay a small deposit as it is the week before Christmas. I'm called today to request said deposit, but have been told deposits are now 60% of the cost of the whole service. It's a salon, so salon prices.

I fully understand the need for a deposit, especially around Christmas time, but AIBU to think that a 60% deposit is excessive?

OP posts:
AuntieDolly · 15/12/2023 14:58

As long as you turn up I don't see the issue

Whataretheodds · 15/12/2023 14:59

Are you planning not to turn up?

Sparklesocks · 15/12/2023 15:00

I guess those appointments right before Christmas are very sought after, and a small deposit might mean people still cancel and eat the deposit, so a larger one ensures they’re not making such a loss if someone cancels last minute and they don’t have time to refill the appointment.

Original poster
Greeny9 · 15/12/2023 15:00

Nope, desperately need my hair doing so will 100% be going! I just thought a 60% was quite high.

OP posts:
Original poster
Greeny9 · 15/12/2023 15:01

@Sparklesocks Yes I suppose that's probably true!

OP posts:
sweetpickle23 · 15/12/2023 15:01

I dont really see what difference it makes how much it is. If you're booking the appointment in good faith, you'll be paying the full amount anyway.

ActDottie · 15/12/2023 15:08

I don’t really see the issue if you’re 100% planning to go.

FairytaleChristmas · 15/12/2023 15:09

Rules out people who may book an appointment on payday or for after payday, when sought after appointments are usually booked weeks in advance.
A 20% deposit of say £100 may be doable beforehand but 60% may not be if the person planned to be paid after the booking.
It's understandable to cover their costs of a no show, but to increase the deposit because it's around Christmas time if it's not usually that high is a bit much.

2jacqi · 15/12/2023 15:23

@Greeny9 that is fine! small business have too many "no shows!" a local small restaurant near me had 21 no shows in one night alone this week! they had made extra food for the people who did not show up!!! think how much money they lost!

SgtJuneAckland · 15/12/2023 15:25

I'd happily pay in full in advance tbh

Rocknrolla21 · 15/12/2023 15:29

I got my hair done yesterday and there was a no show after a £20 deposit was paid. Something also came up with me personally that made me want to swerve my appointment, I only went because I’d have felt awful for my hairdresser. A small deposit isn’t going to guarantee people turning up

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 16/12/2023 15:08

It’s a lot.
Not everyone always has that much money available. They may have payday a day or so before.

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 16/12/2023 15:09

Especially if they didn’t tell you at the time of booking.

beanii · 16/12/2023 15:10

The only way you could think it's excessive is if you're planning on not turning up 🤷‍♀️

Otherwise you'll be paying anyway.

My hairdresser had someone booked for a full head of highlights, cut and blow dry - didn't turn up and when they eventually got hold of her age just said - oh I forgot 🙄 that's someone's WAGES.

beanii · 16/12/2023 15:11

2jacqi · 15/12/2023 15:23

@Greeny9 that is fine! small business have too many "no shows!" a local small restaurant near me had 21 no shows in one night alone this week! they had made extra food for the people who did not show up!!! think how much money they lost!

That's awful - people don't associate it as someone else's wages 😔

burntoutnurse · 16/12/2023 15:13

I hve to pay 50% deposit all year round. I don't mind. I'm paying in full when I go anyway so makes it seem like less when I get there.

Fully understand because they book out 3/5 hours for colours and for someone not to turn up, that's a lot of hours/money to lose

TomatoSandwiches · 16/12/2023 15:14

I wouldn't mind that at all.

sleepyscientist · 16/12/2023 15:14

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 16/12/2023 15:08

It’s a lot.
Not everyone always has that much money available. They may have payday a day or so before.

If money that tight should they really be spending £100+ on hair. When we first started out I always coloured my own hair and just booked a cut + blow dry on a cheap day.

Greezynogreasy · 16/12/2023 15:17

If you’re fully intending to turn up, what’s the problem ?
You pay that 60% now and the rest on the day.
You get to pay in 2 instalments.

Mindymomo · 16/12/2023 15:18

I don’t see a problem, there are so many no shows at hairdressers, restaurants etc. We’ve just got back from lunch out, the restaurant manager was ringing round people to check bookings which is ok if they have the time. My Son booked a restaurant this week for his work, booked for 12 and at last minute 5 pulled out, restaurant was fine, but they probably turned down bookings.

Sparklfairy · 16/12/2023 15:20

My salon has always been 50%.

One time I popped home right before my appointment to find my bathroom ceiling had completely fallen in Shock

I still went to the appointment. The plaster all over the floor wasn't going anywhere (wasn't an active leak/flooding water) Grin

SpiritedFlame · 16/12/2023 15:24

I'm 50/50.

It seems a lot upfront because life does get in the way - say a sickness bug on the morning of appointment, but equally I appreciate that it is their wages so they could be losing out on a lot and it isn't their fault either.
My salon takes walk ins which are often turned away so hopefully they could make it up that way but it is risky so I can definitely see both sides of it.

To add - I do think it is unreasonable they have upped the deposit at this time, rather than telling you when you booked because although you might fully intend to pay next week, some people may not have budgeted the money for this extra increase if pay day was coming up.

Takenobull · 16/12/2023 17:57

You’re fortunate it’s not the full amount like I charge clients in my salon. I will however always refund the money if we manage to find someone to fill the slot at short notice.

I don’t really understand why you have an issue with it if you plan on turning up. If you plan on not showing or cancelling then I see why but that’s the point of the deposit.

Takenobull · 16/12/2023 17:59

I should also say that I have a 3 strike rule. I only charge it if someone has cancelled/not shown twice before.

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 16/12/2023 18:00

The salon I go to charges full cost in advance for Friday and Weekend bookings for the whole of December and for every day the week before Christmas and between Christmas and New Year.

Too many people no show because they’re busy/skint/too hungover from their Christmas do