To think friend should give me a discount?

[gcullisa]

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?

You are not asking for a discount. The price for a home cut is less than the price for a salon cut. She’s actually overcharging you.

The fair thing to do would be to split the difference, so you should get 25% off.

P.S. There’s probably also a tax fiddle going on, which makes it even more favourable to her.

If they were self-employed, preferably with a home salon, full price is fine. They have overheads as well as sick/holiday to cover. They will still have extra costs just doing it from home, ordering supplies, their time and skills but if it’s cash in hand i would hope for a little discount.

Go to the salon. She needs to incentivize you to visit her house.

But is this also in her lunch time? If it’s in her own time at her home then it’s up to her what she charges- if it bothers you then go back to the salon, it’s no difference for you really. If she’s doing this on her own time though and you’re willing to pay it then that’s up to her - of course it’d be nice to have a mates rate, but it should be expected

My friend does my hair in her living room. Half what I'd pay in a salon plus I get the benefit of two cups of tea plus some toasted fruit loaf.

If she works in a salon but is doing this for you in her home then presumably this is on her days off? So she is doing you a favour making herself available outside of her usual working hours?
I do think a bit of a discount would be reasonable but you do have to take into account the whole picture and not just the financial element.

Maybe her contract with the salon does not allow her to undercuts the prices she charges there, especially for existing salon clients

Yes you are - it’s up to her - you might be her friend but doing your hair is still work and if she doesn’t want to earn less, then she doesn’t and that’s fair. Of course some people would do mates rates but that’s a favour not a given.

Just a thought op, if the salon take 50% to cover the cost of materials, she may need to charge a bit more to cover these at home.
However if it was me, I would definitely go to the salon!

YANBU

If she's charging full price then go to the salon at a time that suits you as well

It's massively cheeky of her to expect you to go to her house to save money but not give you any of the discount

I don't think it says anywhere in the OP that the friend expects OP to go to her house. There's no back story about how this arrangement came about so let's not make assumptions.

You're focussing on the wrong thing love

Me too

Here's the truth. Your friend runs a business. She has overheads, insurance and a family to feed. Sometimes you can give mates rates... sometimes you can't...plus who's watching her, who else is going to ask for a discount

Same here, I’d much prefer the kitchen table and not have my face in three different mirrors!

Another vote for getting it done at the salon! She’s charging full whack for a budget experience and you aren’t seeing any of the saving!

YANBU I followed my hairdresser when she left a salon to go mobile. She charged the same price. Ummmmmm No thank you!

This, in buckets. While she's doing your hair for "mates rates", she's not able to do anyone else's for full price.

I run my own business, providing a service (that is to say I have no product to sell on which I make a pure profit - and that's a hugely important distinction to make, as I am only charging for my time), and I never discount it for friends & family. I may, at my discretion, offer a slightly better overall service (think more flexibility over the time & day I will provide their service, and give slightly more of the service, etc), but that's about it.

The people who hire me can afford me, and many of them (including friends and family) have had a much worse and often very unreliable service in the past. A discount means nothing to them, but my loyalty and first-class service does. It is both of these which they need, not the money.

As for friends and family using me, they need the service and they want someone they can rely on and trust. I provide that. They also want to support me too, even though they know I have more than enough clients on a waiting list.

Me too. My (mobile) hairdresser was unavailable for a short period in 2012, and I had to go to a salon. I still haven't got over it. 😂I hate sitting there looking as I do, with people milling past. But I appreciate many people like the experience.

Book into the salon when it is convenient to you.

Yes, if you're paying salon rates anyway, I'd book to see her at the salon where she works. If she asks why, tell her that as it costs you the same, you thought you may as well get the full salon experience. Then it's up to her to offer a discount that benefits you both. Or not. But at least you won't be annoyed by the situation.

I go to a home salon, have done for 15 years, as she charges half the salon prices. If she went to full price is be unhappy but still go.

Although, I hate salons. Passed between multiple people (mostly apprentices) to wash set up etc and moved around, all while clutching my phone/bag and trying to ignore expensive product upselling where I'm told my hair is dry because I don't use their expensive shampoo.

My ex was a builder and when asked about mates rates said perhaps they could pay him more as a nod to the friendship. He had a point, mates rates are not reasonable.
I agree with those who say go to a salon if you’re unhappy about it. It’s not in your gift to reduce her prices.

Not sure where this idea that a mobile hairdresser has to charge less than a salon! If you wanted a chef to come to your house or even someone to do your tyres then you expect to pay more!
You have 100% of the attention of the hairdresser, she can’t do anyone else while she’s doing you like she would at a salon.
As a friend you shouldn’t be moaning and be supportive of her earning money. If I was your friend and saw this post I’d dump you as both a friend and a client.

Go and see her at the salon of ots the same price. Surely better times to suit you