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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

mogsrus · 16/12/2023 18:03

If only restaurants would do the same, but I don’t see your 60% unreasonable if you show up

Josienpaul · 16/12/2023 20:11

If you’re planning to show up the you have no worries. Yes I know there may be emergency situations where you’re out of pocket if you can’t go, but then so are they out of pocket if you don’t go so I can see why they’re doing it. £10 deposit on say a £70 treatment isn’t enough to pay the electrics and rent, never mind loss of earnings.

caringcarer · 16/12/2023 20:39

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.

This.

DitheringBlidiot · 16/12/2023 20:43

That's a lot! Especially as you don't seem to have been told until now it's 60%

I'm getting my hair cut next week on Friday as it's payday. If they wanted 60% of the price off me now I'd have to cancel as I haven't got the money. It's fine if you've got the money but prohibitive if not and risks people cancelling before any deposit is paid I think.

LifeonMarsnotVenus · 16/12/2023 21:06

Sounds v reasonable to me.

I went to a Christmas decorations class today that was planned for 8 people. The tutor spent a fortune on prep materials and only two of us turned up. I think she should have taken deposits off people because she’s out of pocket now and will likely think twice before offering to run a class again. ☹️

EasterIssland · 16/12/2023 21:09

My hairdresser think charges 20%

fhe eyelash place i go to is full amount and can’t cancel

TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 16/12/2023 21:28

sleepyscientist · 16/12/2023 15:14

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.

Show quote history

Or maybe they've just has a very tight month because of unexpected costs. Maybe they just wanted a real treat as it’s Christmas, or they’ve got a really big event coming up and want to make a good impression. Maybe they’re going to their parent’s funeral and want to feel confident. Who knows‽..
It’s not really anyone else’s place to judge how someone spends their income. All they had to do was say at time of booking that they have changed their policy and then it would be possible to make relevant budgeting decisions.
You sound like one of those ‘why did they get their nails done if they’re on benefits’ types.

Clarinet1 · 16/12/2023 22:36

Given the way you’ve phrased the question, you may not want to pay that much deposit but then you don’t go to that salon!

Abbimae · 17/12/2023 13:21

What? You are paying anyway. If you can’t afford it don’t go

andstillpondering · 17/12/2023 14:02

I book my appointments online paying in full.

I like it.

I turn up on the day, have my hair done, tell my hairdresser how nice it is, she gets my coat and off I go, no hanging around paying or wondering about tipping. All good.
And if I hadn't already paid for it I may well duck out - my appalling hair always manages to look reasonably good just before I have it cut and I always, always haver about whether or not I'm doing the right thing by having it done.

WinchSparkle80 · 17/12/2023 14:36

I had to cancel a much needed pre xmas hair appointment today as been called to a late in the evening mandatory work call (US company).

I transferred my hairdresser the full amount as I didn’t want her to lose out… it wouldn’t have mattered if I had to pay a massive deposit I still couldn’t go, but she needs to cover the slot somehow.

60% does seem a lot, but I understand why they need to cover as much of their income as possible. Rent, staff and bills still need to be paid.

Direstraightsagain · 17/12/2023 22:21

Over 50% is excessive!

PuttingDownRoots · 17/12/2023 22:26

I think its fair to charge for the time beforehand. They can't earn elsewhere in your timeslot.

If that's 60% then a 60% deposit is appropriate

Samlewis96 · 18/12/2023 08:26

This exactly

evilharpy · 18/12/2023 08:41

Direstraightsagain · 17/12/2023 22:21

Over 50% is excessive!

Can you explain why you think this?

If you have booked an appointment for a treatment that will cost £100, with £60 being the cost of the person's time and £40 being the cost of the product, and you then don't turn up, they lose out on £60 (i.e. 60%). So it would seem logical that that's the deposit as that's how much they stand to lose in the event of a no-show.

Boymum2104 · 18/12/2023 08:45

I'd pay my hairdresser in full prior if she wanted. Don't see the issue if you're turning up it's the same price

Mariposista · 18/12/2023 09:07

In an ideal world they would take 100% Far too many CF not turning up, with lame excuses.

Bertiesmum3 · 18/12/2023 16:24

Regardless of the % of deposit, you’ll pay 100% for your hair, so you’ll pay 40% when you get your hair done and 60% deposit

Cosyblankets · 18/12/2023 18:25

I have a beauty treatment at a salon with a 50% deposit. I have the same treatment every few weeks so my deposit just stays as a rolling deposit

Hankunamatata · 18/12/2023 18:30

Mine is 100% the week before

AuntMarch · 18/12/2023 19:06

I always pay 50% at time of booking, but would be Happy enough paying in full (I don't have mine coloured, so I wouldn't be paying for unused product!)

Concannon88 · 19/12/2023 00:33

Erm no. Thats not the only way. What if she didn't have the 60% at the time of the booking, but would at the time of the appointment?

evilharpy · 19/12/2023 07:57

Concannon88 · 19/12/2023 00:33

Erm no. Thats not the only way. What if she didn't have the 60% at the time of the booking, but would at the time of the appointment?

What if you were buying a house and you didn't have the deposit at the time of exchange but you knew you would when the time came to complete?

I know it's not really comparable but it's the same premise - where's the guarantee for the salon that they're not going to lose out if the person is a no show?

newnamechangeforthisone · 19/12/2023 08:07

I don't work in hair but I've had more cancellations this month than in the entire two years before. I think people are not budgeting and then cancelling last minute. It's quite upsetting as it's a huge loss of money and people don't tell you until the day before etc (I guess hoping they can afford it closer to the time). I don't take deposits but I think next year for December I will have to.

I think it's reasonable, like others have said, what's the issue if your planning to go? It's not fair away either.

mottytotty · 19/12/2023 08:07

Concannon88 · 19/12/2023 00:33

Erm no. Thats not the only way. What if she didn't have the 60% at the time of the booking, but would at the time of the appointment?

Then she doesn’t get an appointment.

Businesses are allowed to protect themselves against no shows.

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