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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think friend should give me a discount?

101 replies

gcullisa · 02/08/2025 15:22

So before you jump to immediately saying I am being unreasonable I just want to confirm that I don’t think people should under sell a trade and their time and skills are worth the price they want to charge.

My friend is a hairdresser, she earns 50% of whatever she charges her client (other 50% goes to the salon and I assume she has use of their products).

I have hair extensions which require regular refit and I go to her directly, I drive to hers at a time and day that suits her (I’ll use my lunch hour) and she still charges me salon prices. It costs £80 for a refit and £30 for a trim - so instead of making £55 from me if I’d go to the salon she’s now making £110.

Aibu to think as a friend she could do it cheaper? I don’t mean she should charge me 50% but just reduce it to 75% - then she’s still earning more than she actually would have done. It’s cash in hand and the only material she’s using (apart from scissors) is tape which I know she just takes from the salon and she’s not even using water or electricity.

Am I being really unreasonable here?

OP posts:
ThejoyofNC · 02/08/2025 15:24

If I'm paying salon prices then I'd be booking to get it done in the salon.

MummyChocolateMonster · 02/08/2025 15:25

Does she have a home salon? If not, just say you like the salon experience and as it’s the same price you’ll start going there.
I go to a home hairdresser and they’re usually cheaper than the salon due to
less overheads but I quite like going to a salon.

Original poster
gcullisa · 02/08/2025 15:26

ThejoyofNC · 02/08/2025 15:24

If I'm paying salon prices then I'd be booking to get it done in the salon.

I mean yes to this really. It’s a shame because I thought it would benefit us both. I get it cheaper and she actually earns more.

OP posts:
Original poster
gcullisa · 02/08/2025 15:27

MummyChocolateMonster · 02/08/2025 15:25

Does she have a home salon? If not, just say you like the salon experience and as it’s the same price you’ll start going there.
I go to a home hairdresser and they’re usually cheaper than the salon due to
less overheads but I quite like going to a salon.

Edited

No, I just sit at her kitchen table.

OP posts:
MummyChocolateMonster · 02/08/2025 15:29

In that case I’d go to the salon! No reason not to if it’s the same price - more comfy and professional set up. Might encourage her to offer a better deal. This only benefits her at the moment.

Swiftie1878 · 02/08/2025 15:32

gcullisa · 02/08/2025 15:22

So before you jump to immediately saying I am being unreasonable I just want to confirm that I don’t think people should under sell a trade and their time and skills are worth the price they want to charge.

My friend is a hairdresser, she earns 50% of whatever she charges her client (other 50% goes to the salon and I assume she has use of their products).

I have hair extensions which require regular refit and I go to her directly, I drive to hers at a time and day that suits her (I’ll use my lunch hour) and she still charges me salon prices. It costs £80 for a refit and £30 for a trim - so instead of making £55 from me if I’d go to the salon she’s now making £110.

Aibu to think as a friend she could do it cheaper? I don’t mean she should charge me 50% but just reduce it to 75% - then she’s still earning more than she actually would have done. It’s cash in hand and the only material she’s using (apart from scissors) is tape which I know she just takes from the salon and she’s not even using water or electricity.

Am I being really unreasonable here?

Go to the salon then.

YeOldy · 02/08/2025 15:34

I would want to pay less too.

Dreamerinme · 02/08/2025 15:34

I stopped using a mobile hairdresser - who charged £30 - and then who raised it to £48. It was convenient when DC was very small, but as he got older I thought I have to wash my hair using my own products, and then sweep up and vacuum my hair up afterwards. I started going back to a salon where I had my hair washed for me using nice salon products, was offered a hot drink and biscuit, and I don’t need to clean up my own hair afterwards. It was a no brainer to go back to a salon, so you need to decide what you’d rather do.

TerrierCollector · 02/08/2025 15:35

I think I’d happily pay more not to have to sit on a salon! However, since you seem to enjoy the salon experience, it’d be foolish not to just do that if you’re not getting a discount!

ilovesooty · 02/08/2025 15:35

I'd go to the salon in your position then.

Zanoni · 02/08/2025 15:37

Whenever I’ve used a mobile hairdresser they have charged less than a salon.

AnAlpacaForChristmasPleaseSanta · 02/08/2025 16:07

I think you have two options,
1: put up with things as they are.
2: go to a salon.

Blackbirdsinthgarden · 02/08/2025 16:09

Yes, she should give you a discount, as she is benefiting from the arrangement and you aren’t. Plus, you are going to hers in your lunch hour at a time convenient to her, whereas if you went to the salon, it would be a mutual time convenient for you both. If you don’t want to broach the subject of a discount, then I would just say that work are offering flexible working (i.e flexitime) and that you’ve decided to cut short your lunch so the arrangement no longer works for you and the salon would be more convenient.

If she suggests that you use your “flexitime” to come to her at another time when it’s convenient for her, just tell her the hours you are saving up will go to an afternoon/day off which you will use to go shopping/trip to the countryside/trip to see your aunt Mable etc. (insert activity of your choice).

How did this arrangement come about? Is it actually more convenient for you to travel to her house? Why was a discount not mentioned at the beginning of the arrangement? I would have thought that this would be a mutual arrangement, that you both benefit from.

northernballer · 02/08/2025 16:10

I'd go to the salon - you're paying salon prices. Wonder if her insurance covers her outside the salon?!

LittlleMy · 02/08/2025 16:12

YANBU. Unless friend is in financial difficulties in which case I’d gladly pay the full price, but if not, then I’d be a bit saddened she’s not considering me in how she’s costing everything up and only herself.

I’d just ask her outright and say something like ‘I actually prefer the salon environment and would rather return there. It would need something extra to keep getting it done in your kitchen - then just ask about whether she’d drop the cost to you given she’s up by 50% and you’re having to endure a lesser than experience but still pay full cost - as her friend!

Ljs7 · 02/08/2025 16:12

She isn't your friend. She's essentially picking your pocket and defrauding the tax man.

SquirrelRed · 02/08/2025 16:19

I'd definitely go to back to salon in your shoes. Just tell her you're no longer able to use your lunch break so it's easier to make a normal appointment at the salon if you don't want to tell her the truth

Maddy70 · 02/08/2025 16:23

Just go through the salon and have the salon experience

Emsie1987 · 02/08/2025 16:42

Does she do hair dressing at home? If so and these are the prices she charges then fair enough. If not, then she is being cheeky but you also don’t have to go to and can go somewhere else. I don’t think it’s fair to negotiate with her.

AvidJadeShaker · 02/08/2025 16:43

Book into the salon unless it suits you to go to her house. You don’t have to give her a reason why.

SpidersAreShitheads · 02/08/2025 16:47

I'd normally expect them to do it a bit cheaper if they're not doing it at the salon, tbh.

How long does it take to refit your extensions and do a trim?

Is it easier to book appointments for her to do it at home - is it harder to get the appointments you want at the salon? It is more convenient for you, location-wise?

There are various factors I'd consider before deciding whether to go back to the salon.

She's getting all the financial benefits here, but are you getting any non-financial benefits that mean it's still worth your while doing it at her kitchen table?

50% sounds like a big cut for the salon to take - maybe she's trying to even things up a bit with charging you the full rate and keeping it all. Not suggesting that it's OK, but could she be struggling a bit financially to earn a decent income?

Poobs2022 · 02/08/2025 16:47

My hairdresser left the salon where I'd been her client for years but it cost me £65 and she now works from her home salon and it only costs me £40. The drive is further by 20 mins but I still get my hair washed and get a salon experience. I would go back to the salon for the same price your friend is charging, that's pricey!

mondaytosunday · 02/08/2025 16:48

A friend recommended her hairdresser to me who comes to her house. I had to wash my own hair and I clean up my own clippings for the same or at most £10 less than salon prices. Nope not for me! I think if she works from home without the extras she should certainly charge less.

PerplexedConfusedBewildered · 02/08/2025 17:25

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

StrawberryCranberry · 03/08/2025 17:48

YANBU. My hairdresser left her salon and now comes to my home. She charges less even though I'm not a friend of hers.