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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cancel my hair appointment and loose the deposit over a bad review?

16 replies

Hopebrown · 11/03/2024 18:46

Hi all

So for years now I have dyed my own hair, but lately I have really been wanting a change as I am fed up. Money has been tight for a few years now, but since kids have started school and I havent been paying nursery fees I have a small amount to treat myself and decided to go for it.
I want my current hair tone changing and then blonde also adding, so quite a big job.
I thought I thoroughly researched, but looking back I just saw the same name a few times so booked it. I have anxiety so a hair appointment is a big thing for me as I hate small talk and socialising at best of times but my current hair is making me low so I took the plunge.
Now I have booked in, all done over text, sent a photo of my hair and hairdresser was fine with that and booked me in.
The appointment is next Monday.
She asked me for a £60 deposit as she is having alot of people not turnin up/cancelling which I was happy to do.

Since then, I realised she hasnt asked me in for a patch test as I will be having a dark applied to roots, aswell as highlights, I looked at other hairdressers in the area who all say on their pages of the importance of a patch test 48 hours before.
She also hadnt asked for a photo of something similar I would like done, just a brief description by me (although maybe that will be done on the day)

Yesterday I was browsing hairdresser recommendations on facebook search history and came across an old post on a local town facebook page, the post showed a woman with pictures of her hair which was absolutely horrible, black roots and orange hair and asking advice on how to get her refund or anybody who could fix it, I read the comments and the woman had posted the conversation between her and the hairdresser who had done it, and low and behold its the hairdresser I have booked with The messages were not nice and the poor woman ended up paying somebody else to fix her hair.
Now the post was 4 years old, so a long time ago, however her hair was in a terrible state and she was rightly very annoyed.
Now after a little extra digging, some (not all) of her recommendations tend to be from friends of hers or old ladies who have a cut and blow.

On one hand I think Ive paid some of it now, it was 4 years ago and she must have happy customers since else she wouldnt be trading.

On the other hand I worry about if my hair ends up similar and the trouble this lady had (it was really bad) and how much I will have to pay to fix it. Also the fact I havent been asked in for a patch test.

I have since been recommended a salon from a friend and looking on their photos, their work is amazing and similar to what I want done.

My partner says cancel and go elsewhere, my sister said everybody has a bad hair experience, you just dont hear about it much and to go with her as planned.

Any advice?

YANBU - cancel and go the other salon
YABU - stick with original hairdresser

Thanks

OP posts:
thaisweetchill · 11/03/2024 18:49

I would stick with who you've out the deposit on. You'll have to get it touched up in a few months anyway so if it's bad you can go elsewhere.

pootlin · 11/03/2024 18:52

I would lie and say you have to go away and could you have a refund as you’re giving 6 days’ notice.

PurringTabbyCat · 11/03/2024 18:57

Have you asked about the patch test? I personally wouldn’t get my hair coloured by someone who doesn’t insist on it. My hairdresser absolutely insists as her insurance is invalid if the patch test isn’t done. When she reopened after covid she did doorstep visits to everyone to do the tests before appointments as something might have changed while she was closed.

PlumbersWifey · 11/03/2024 19:04

No hairdresser would colour your hair without a patch test. If she is planning to do this definitely go elsewhere.

Loulovescake · 11/03/2024 19:05

Try and get your money back and go elsewhere x

Lorelaigilmore88 · 11/03/2024 19:12

If she doesn't do a patch test she's not a pro imo... i would go elsewhere. If she does a really crap job you could end up feeling really ruddish and spending a lot more than the 60 you will be losing.
I would go with a bigger salon who have lots of recent pics or reviews on their website/Facebook page... plus they will be easier to correct any mistakes on the off chance you didnt get what you wanted than someone who is independent.

CoraPirbright · 11/03/2024 19:15

Request a refund asap to give plenty of notice and go elsewhere. A patch test is surely needed and I would be very suspicious about her professionalism.

Clickncollect · 11/03/2024 19:18

I would ask to change the appointment to a cut and blow dry to at least feel like I got something rather than losing the money. Could just say you’ll be in touch to book in for the colour ‘when you can…’

BarberellaWife · 11/03/2024 19:28

Definitely do not go to her. If she can't even bother with a simple patch test I dread to think what your hair will be like.
I'd cancel now and ask for a refund as it's plenty of notice. Most places require a deposit which is refundable as long as it isn't 24/48 hours before.

Emma543 · 11/03/2024 19:34

To be honest especially if you are going lighter and using bleach I would dodge this and cancel.. too easy to mess up and doesn’t sound like she has good form

kinkyredboots · 11/03/2024 19:41

£60 is a huge deposit-see if you can get a refund. If not ask what brand they use for colour & plans for a patch test. But tbh I would be tempted to cut my losses & go to the other place.

YeahNahWhal · 11/03/2024 19:53

Have you told her you've been home colouring with box dye for years? She needs to know that - it makes what you seem to be asking for very hard to achieve.

Perhaps see if you can convert your session to a cut and colour consultation - use your deposit on that, so she can see the full story and advise how many months it would take to achieve your goal image. Good luck

Cheeesus · 11/03/2024 19:55

I agree with thinking there’s enough time to cancel and get your money back.

Hopebrown · 11/03/2024 20:21

Thanks for your replies. I will message and see if i can get the deposit back or like someone above suggested get a cut and blow instead (good thinking!)

Yes she knows I have home dyed hair as I told her in my first message and she asked to look at a photo of my hair, it is currently a light brown colour but hasnt been dyed in about 6 months.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 11/03/2024 21:18

thaisweetchill · 11/03/2024 18:49

I would stick with who you've out the deposit on. You'll have to get it touched up in a few months anyway so if it's bad you can go elsewhere.

Really? You'd be fine to have shit hair for months?

@Hopebrown go with the second person. Let the £60 go.

CranfordScones · 11/03/2024 21:51

The reason people should always do a patch test is because it's now a legal requirement...

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