Been banned from my local nail salon

[alittlebittiredallthetime]

I started going to a new salon a few months ago. I went three times and to be honest, I was never totally happy with the service I had been receiving. The atmosphere wasn't as welcoming as I liked and the results weren't what I was happy to pay for. So I decided to just do my own from now on.

My mum goes to the same nail salon, and the owner asked her why I had cancelled my appointments. Because she was put on the spot, my mum told her that I was now working Saturdays as well, so couldn't go anymore.

Yesterday I was getting my hair done and the owner of this old salon walked in and sat down next to me. She clocked it was me, sort of looked me up and down in surprise, and turned away from me. It was a bit awkward but it's not the end of the world, in my view.

This morning I've woken up to this email from them:

"(My name),
This message serves as formal notice that you are prohibited from booking or receiving services at any of our nail salons across the (local) area, effective immediately.
This decision has been made at ownership level following a review of your conduct. We have concluded that you provided false and misleading information regarding your availability and intentions as a client. On that basis, we believe your actions amount to a misrepresentation of circumstances and may be considered fraudulent in nature.
As a business, we reserve the absolute right to refuse service where we believe honesty and trust have been compromised. This determination is final.
Any current or future appointments made under your name, or on your behalf, will be cancelled without notice. Do not contact the business regarding this matter.
(Owner’s name)"

AIBU or is this really not necessary? I'd understand if I was a long standing client who had been going for years, but I'd been three times. I don't really see what's fraudulent about it?!

Facebook is full of not very bright people who will probably side with the salon owner.
Do not cast your pearls before swine op.

I would definitely be putting the email on Google reviews/their Facebook page.

It doesn't matter if your mum's lie was 'weird', she wasn't working or representing a business, and when put on the spot people do panic.

“This is the Fraud Squad. We’re charging you with your mother lying to the nail painting people.”

That email is actually unhinged. Fraudulent?!?

My only question was that I found the last sentence telling you not to contact the business about the letter quite odd. You ARE absolutely sure it’s from the salon? (Unfortunately, my company had to deal with someone emailing others and claiming to be us, even registering a URL very similar to ours so they could send emails from it). Though I agree the timing, seeing her yesterday and receiving such an email today, is too coincidental.

EDIT: Removed the idea to share on Facebook as millions of people recommended it already, and someone else is probably right, that people on Facebook are wild and will probably side with the nail salon owner

Well then they can give their business to the nuts salon owner and all the sane people can stay away - sounds like a win-win

I think it's hilarious. She's clearly unhinged and not very intelligent.

I laughed out loud at this. Thanks as I’m having an awful day.

My reply would be:

Erm. Okay.

😀😀😀😀😬

I think that the funniest part is that actually youu didn't say anything. It was your mum. It is all completely nuts though. You have every right to cancel appointments out with the contractual time and to never go back if you want. With or without a reason. Or maybe even decide that you need your hair doing more than your nails and prioritise that in any spare time you have. I can't imagine she will stay in business forever if she keep alienating customers like that.

I don’t know why people are determined to blame your mum, the owner was very unprofessional to put her on the spot.

She has clearly used AI for the email and has no idea it makes no sense.

I would be tempted to reply with the template that someone else shared earlier.

Whoever sent you that email has totally lost the plot! It is absolutely bonkers!

I’m only surprised that 3% of voters in the poll determined YABU. Perhaps clicked on the wrong button?

Obvs a completely ridiculous response from the salon owner.

I think you should reply.

Dear batshitsalonowner, Thanks for your email. When you put my Mum on the spot the other day and interrogated her about why I has cancelled my appointments she felt embarrassed to tell you the reason so made something up. I however, have no qualms about being completely transparent with you because like any good business owner I am sure you value feedback about why you are losing customers. Frankly, your service is poor, the nail treatments are below my usual expectations and your prices are too high. Given the quite bizarre email I received this morning I thought perhaps I ought to clarify things further. I have absolutely no intention of returning.

This one ^
Perfect response.

This is hilarious. Share it as a review online.

Next time your mum goes, go and sit and wait while she has her nails done or go in with her and shout a cheery “ let me know when you’re done and I’ll pick you up”

Just send 👍🏻

You weren’t happy, but went back 3 times?

Why? This country is knee deep in nail salons. 🤷‍♀️

FWIW I don't think your mum did the wrong thing. She was put on the spot and came up with something with no blame either side so I'm not sure so many posters are focussing on that! Is this woman generally aggressive? Sounds like she's just looking for excuses to have beef with someone.

Not in my town! The first time it was patchy and I figured it was just the polish. The second, the colour wasn’t what I wanted but that’s kind of my fault. Third time I realised that I just didn’t like the entire vibe, I wasn’t happy with the entire thing and decided to do my own.

I feel embarrassed on this woman's behalf. What on earth was she thinking! I'd definitely reply LOL with a laughing emoji and leave it there. I think leaving bad reviews or sharing the email could make her get nasty.

I totally get why your mum said what she did when put on the spot.

I wonder if she's feeling an ounce of regret or embarrassment over the email.

I love the way she thinks you'd be so desperate to go back that you'd get someone else to book it for you 😆

Yes indeed, I really would pursue it. Worth every penny of a solicitor's letter just to put the fear of god into her and, as you say, for the entertainment value!

I'd screen shot it and put it in my local FB group.

See if she's done this batshittery to anyone else.

Dear chippy Shit-for-brains,
I will hand myself into the local police station at 9am on Monday morning with the expectation that I shall be incarcerated later that same day.
(Nice little nail salon you've got there, be a shame if something happened to it 😉)