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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:
LizzieSiddal · 03/08/2025 22:02

Of course they should charge less if she’s at home. She’s being really cheeky charging salon prices.

DearDenimEagle · 03/08/2025 22:05

If you want her services, you pay her price or go elsewhere.

HevenlyMeS · 03/08/2025 22:05

I feel compassionate empathy for you because it seems she's taking advantage of the fact you're friends... Most surely not vice versa
She doesn't seem very nice to not charge you less than the salon 😥You're not requesting much
I think if she's a friend, I'd ask her why she's charging you full price?
One of my friend's friend's, used to come to my home or I'd go to her home, & she once admitted to overcharging me
I only found out because she did my hair & my friend's hair one after the other & I overheard her charge my friend much less
So I know it happens & nice personalities most surely can get taken advantage of
You seem a lovely, sincere, gentle soul & you deserve much better
💚🌼💚

Teaandtoast12 · 03/08/2025 22:06

I do get what you’re saying! It is awkward I think I would say oh I didn’t realise it was the same price at the salon as it is I’m thinking of going there instead for the luxury of it

DearDenimEagle · 03/08/2025 22:08

HevenlyMeS · 03/08/2025 22:05

I feel compassionate empathy for you because it seems she's taking advantage of the fact you're friends... Most surely not vice versa
She doesn't seem very nice to not charge you less than the salon 😥You're not requesting much
I think if she's a friend, I'd ask her why she's charging you full price?
One of my friend's friend's, used to come to my home or I'd go to her home, & she once admitted to overcharging me
I only found out because she did my hair & my friend's hair one after the other & I overheard her charge my friend much less
So I know it happens & nice personalities most surely can get taken advantage of
You seem a lovely, sincere, gentle soul & you deserve much better
💚🌼💚

But the op is wanting to take advantage of friendship, too. The price is what the service provider asks. Negotiate or pay but it’s her right to charge what she wants. Maybe she felt underpaid before

OnTheBoardwalk · 03/08/2025 22:08

Go to the salon at those prices

unless she was travelling to your house and making your life easier

fruitywineglass · 03/08/2025 22:09

loopyloulou87 · 03/08/2025 21:59

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.

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.

I often think that about mine, plus there's her buggeration factor with the travelling, the traffic, and travel costs. It makes no difference to me whether she comes to me or I go to the salon in terms of the cost, because if that's what it costs for the same thing, that's what it costs.

fruitywineglass · 03/08/2025 22:11

Teaandtoast12 · 03/08/2025 22:06

I do get what you’re saying! It is awkward I think I would say oh I didn’t realise it was the same price at the salon as it is I’m thinking of going there instead for the luxury of it

It is awkward

How is it awkward? OP will have known what the price was before she booked in with her friend, and no one is making her go back.

whitewineandsun · 03/08/2025 22:11

Go to the salon at a time that suits you. I think she's a bit of a CF.

fruitywineglass · 03/08/2025 22:13

whitewineandsun · 03/08/2025 22:11

Go to the salon at a time that suits you. I think she's a bit of a CF.

I think she's a bit of a CF.

Genuinely asking, can you explain why? I doubt the hairdresser is desperate for her friends business.

Ellie1015 · 03/08/2025 22:13

I would not expect a discount, but i would expect an appointment at the salon. Might be easier to discuss the price too.

whitewineandsun · 03/08/2025 22:18

fruitywineglass · 03/08/2025 22:13

I think she's a bit of a CF.

Genuinely asking, can you explain why? I doubt the hairdresser is desperate for her friends business.

Show quote history

Because I think if I'm coming to her at a time that suits her in her home, sitting at her kitchen table instead of a salon, I'd wonder why I'm paying salon prices. I'm not paying for the experience or my own convenience.

If the friend doesn't need the business, she'll be fine with OP going elsewhere.

RafaFan · 03/08/2025 22:19

If it's cash in hand she's almost certainly not declaring it, and so she's actually "making" even more from you by doing it this way because she's not paying tax on it.

Daygloboo · 03/08/2025 22:19

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?

Are you sure she's really a friend because it sounds like a bit of a rip off to me

fruitywineglass · 03/08/2025 22:19

whitewineandsun · 03/08/2025 22:18

Because I think if I'm coming to her at a time that suits her in her home, sitting at her kitchen table instead of a salon, I'd wonder why I'm paying salon prices. I'm not paying for the experience or my own convenience.

If the friend doesn't need the business, she'll be fine with OP going elsewhere.

Show quote history

If the friend doesn't need the business, she'll be fine with OP going elsewhere.

That I do agree with.

whitewineandsun · 03/08/2025 22:20

RafaFan · 03/08/2025 22:19

If it's cash in hand she's almost certainly not declaring it, and so she's actually "making" even more from you by doing it this way because she's not paying tax on it.

And also this. I'd wonder if she declared it, and so actually I wouldn't want to continue the arrangement.

SunnySideDeepDown · 03/08/2025 22:22

Whilst I totally get your drift, and I agree it would be nice of her to reduce the cost accordingly, I wouldn’t go out of my way to have it done in a salon just to spite her. You’re doing your friend a lovely favour at no extra cost.

It’s an awkward one and YANBU, but if I truly liked my friend, I’d continue on the basis that it’s good she’s making a good income and it’s not costing you anymore.

EarthSight · 03/08/2025 22:27

Are you sure she's not under obligation not to offer her services at a discount when selling them at home, so as not to undercut her salon and be seen as competition? This is the case with artists, who also have to give their galleries between 40 - 50% of the sale price.

wizzywig · 03/08/2025 22:28

She'll need to buy your extensions.

bellamorgan · 03/08/2025 22:29

Salon prices I want salon experience. Someone's kitchen table I expect kitchen table prices.

Fairyliz · 03/08/2025 22:32

How do you pay her, in cash?
If so she is being a cf charging you the same price and also fiddling her tax.

angelinawasrobbed · 03/08/2025 22:39

As a pp has suggested, I’d book into the salon next time. If she asks why, say you were having lunch or a coffee nearby so it was convenient - and the same price. Then the onus is on her to suggest a compromise price

IMissSparkling · 03/08/2025 22:40

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.

Or 3: change to a different hairstyle that doesn't need such regular and expensive maintenance.

Moonlightbean123 · 03/08/2025 22:40

Op i think you are looking at this all wrong. Just because she doesn't earn as much from her salon work doesnt mean she needs to discount her prices to you. The salon is charging her 50 per cent to rent the space im assuming and that's a lot to give away. Imagine giving away half of your earning to someone purely as rent. When shes at home she uses her own products and electric and so on and you really dragged the point about you going when it suits her because of course it has to suit her . She needs to be free!! At the end of the day you dont have to go to her but im assuming shes good and the whole doing it in your lunch hour suits you too or you'd stop. Her price is her price. You could always find someone else if you want.

Supergirl1958 · 03/08/2025 22:40

YABU. I know the person who did the hair and make up for my sisters wedding reasonably well. She told me products cost more than you think. She literally charges her sibling the cost of products she uses (having purchased as cheap as she can) and not even labour costs and it’s still extortionate.
I used to pay £40 for my roots and a cut and blow. last time it was £90…prices have gone up