Precooked appointments I hadn't asked for

[Mansanjay]

I treat myself each month to a relaxing treatment and the lady who does it has her own clinic in her house. It's a nice experience but is quite pricey and I've been weighing up whether to continue this year due to cost of living etc.

I've been going for nearly two years and usually at the end of the treatment I book in for the next one or two sessions. I usually book in at a similar day/ time each month. I pay the same day by bank transfer before I turn up.

The lady emailed me at the start of the month to say she'd taken the liberty to book me in each month for the next six months and sent me all the dates and times up to September.

Now maybe I'm being precious but I felt a bit annoyed by this.

I get she needs to plan her schedule/ income and I've been a reliable client for a while now so makes sense to book me in and secure those slots but this is a luxury treatment, not an essential one so assuming I can just sign up to it for six months felt a bit cheeky.

I was considering reducing the amount of times I go, for example, so it's every couple of months, or possibly cancelling and going somewhere a bit cheaper. Aibu or is it standard practice to block book clients in like this?

I’d tell her that you can’t commit to that and ask that she delete the appointments, allowing you to schedule what suits you instead.

No idea if its standard practice or not but I wouldn't like it and shes being very presumptuous. I would contact her and say you cannot commit to those dates and times so cancel all the appointments and you will book what you want when you want thanks very much. Or simply cancel and go elsewhere.

It's not standard, but neither is it a big deal - just say 'sorry but I prefer to book as and when, so please cancel those.'

Possibly she is being kind as she is getting booked up quickly and wants you to have a slot. I suspect she views you as a consistent and valued customer. I would message her back and just say thank you but you would prefer to book after each visit and understand you might not get a slot if she is busy.

Or, maybe you could ask for some discount seeing as you now have six booked...

As you’ve been going regularly for two years it’s a little bit cheeky, but not unreasonable, to assume you’ll be going for the next six months.

I would just tell her at your next appointment that you’d prefer to leave the arrangement as it is.

No that's not normal. If you miss one, you'll have to pay! I'm sure you'll go away on holiday or on an outing at some point? I'd email.back saying, "Hi I can't commit to all those dates. I'd prefer to stick to how we were doing it before as in one date at a time. Thank you."

Definitely contact her and cancel all the appts.

If you still want to go occasionally, thank her for thinking of you and explain that due to changes at work/husbands work, childcare arrangements, whatever…? you’ll only be able to book one appt. at a time.

Yes, she’s been very presumptuous but no need to fall out about it.

It is a bit presumptuous of her but to be perfectly honest if you have gone every month for the last 24 months then it’s not an unreasonable assumption that you will go the next six, and unless the treatment is some kind of luxury mind-reading then she has no idea that you have been thinking of cutting back 🤷‍♀️

She’s overstepped here but no big deal. Just say you’re not sure about your plans yet so please cancel these appointments.

Yes agree with PP message above. Just reply and say thanks but I don't want a regular slot so will book as and when

A simple no thanks I'll continue booking as I have been doing would suffice. You said yourself you book a similar day/time every month so she probably thought she was just being organised.

No need to be annoyed about it.

Yes, I would say exactly this. Firm but fair.
Don't be apologetic in any way.
I don't even prebook my root touch up. It could be 6 weeks, or 3 months before I go back and my hairdresser understands this 🙂

She might be doing you a favour. If shes getting busy, shes making sure that a valued client always has her regular slot. Don't always jump to the negative. And if you're not happy, tell her you want to continue as is but accept she might not always have an appointment available when you want.

If you are annoyed then email her to say that the dates don't work and to cancel them all . Say going forward you will discuss with her on a month or bimonthly basis. Don't be dictated to by her . Some people may find her approach very useful. No judgement here.

Be kind in communicating with her. Remember you are a repeat customer because you like her treatments. Reply and say how many you are happy to pre book and say beyond that is too far into the future for you to want a fixed obligation. That is, unless you would be muffed if you lose the slot.

I don't think it's presumptuous however it depends on when your appointment's normally are. If for example you always go the last Friday of the month at 5pm I completely get why she would reserve that slot for you.