Late to nails appointment

[Cherry346]

• Had a nails appt today with my usual manicurist (of around 4 years). I was running very slightly late (a few minutes) as I'd been held up at my child's nativity. I messaged and said "really sorry I'm going to be slightly late, on my way now" (husband dropping me off). Manicurist replied saying "if you're more than 5 mins late you can't have your appointment". I replied and said I'm just round the corner but I understand if you need to cut the appt short so you're not late for the next client. I ran in, 5-6 mins late, profusely apologised, but all the staff were giving me daggers. Manicurist then lectured me about how busy she is and how she couldn't get behind. I again apologised and said I totally understand and that she could cut the appt short if my allotted time (1hr 15) expired and I'd just accept however far she'd got with my nails (to be honest it usually only takes an hour anyway). I spent the next hour getting the full on silent treatment and monosyllabic answers every time I asked about Xmas plans etc (we usually have a good chat and catch up). She also spent time during my appt sending personal WhatsApps and voice notes, as if trying to make some kind of point. I left feeling really awful and actually quite badly treated. I've never previously been late to an appt and have given the manicurist free professional advice in the past relating to issues she was having with the salon. I don't expect special treatment but surely this was an overreaction? To be clear, I fully understand that people arriving late to appts can be very frustrating for businesses but we were talking a matter of minutes and I'd said I would be happy for the appt to be cut short if the time ran out. I don't feel like I want to return but also feel I need to explain why I'm going to go elsewhere given I'm a longstanding client (average spend £80pm). AIBU?

Five minutes is either five minutes that gets added to another appointment or her lunch or end of day, if she has ten people in that day that all do that, that’s 50 minutes across the day.

I'd find someone else for next time.

More fun than the OP complaining that someone was rude to her when she was rude first.

I'm a stroppy MNetter. I'm also on time for my nail appointments.

I'd be taking my money elsewhere going forward.

It's 5 minutes out of 75. What would she have done if the op had said "ok fuck it I'll not bother".

Op next time just say "look I know it's annoying but I don't expect the full time which I'm paying anyway...I can always go somewhere else"

Indeed!

Looks like she’s lost a client then 🤷‍♀️

Lateness is annoying but you kept them updated, you apologised and were open to your appointment ending so it doesn't run in another customers time.

Childish unprofessional behaviour from them isn't something I would be returning to. It's possible they are going a through a good busy phase in business so won't be bothered if you went back or not. I would try to find somewhere else to go in future.

No one should be making excuses for poor behaviour at work. It wouldn't be acceptable in most jobs just because someone's having a bad day or has personal issues.

Lateness is annoying but you kept them updated, you apologised and were open to your appointment ending so it doesn't run in another customers time.

Childish unprofessional behaviour from them isn't something I would be returning to. It's possible they are going a through a good busy phase in business so won't be bothered if you went back or not. I would try to find somewhere else to go in future.

No one should be making excuses for poor behaviour at work. It wouldn't be acceptable in most jobs just because someone's having a bad day or has personal issues.

But it's not, the op said right at the start that she didn't expect the full time...so the tech has been paid for not doing anything. Whilst I understand it's frustrating, the fact that it's only bloody nails and not the doctor or dentist is pretty reliant

I was going to say you were unreasonable to be late, particularly at this time of year when she is likely fully booked up. However, she shouldn't have sulked for your whole appointment and as your booking was for 1 hour 15 minutes your late arrival could have been accommodated (unless she actually booked next customer for an hour later assuming, like you, that she would only need 60 minutes?). I suppose it depends what you were having done whether she could finish at the planned time and it might upset her to leave your nails 'unfinished'. Just don't go back, explaining why might make you feel better but she's unlikely to accept she did anything wrong.

Vote with your feet and find a different salon……..sorted!

Just saying she couldn't over run the appointment was sufficient anything else was rude and even if you had been 10 minutes late you would have had an hour of your appointment left, so saying you couldn't use that time would have put me off completely. I bet either way you were going to have to pay for the full appointment. They obviously don't value regular customers, I wouldn't be going back.

Just don't book another appointment and find someone else. There are so many nail salons and individuals out there I highly doubt you'll struggle to find a replacement.
If she bothers to ask why you haven't booked again, I'd tell her the truth. Sulking and moodiness is so childish and unprofessional -I'd have rather her turned me away than sit through that. Either say what you want to say or get on with it as normal.

I mean one could say exactly the same to you in terms of your choice to read and respond to this thread.

I’m always curious what sort of reaction you think such a response gets from the OP.

I find nail techs beyond rude and entitled with their multiple rules and they all slag their clients off with passive aggressive social media posts. I’ve lost count of the amount I’ve seen pulling their clients apart in the run up to Christmas week.

I go to a walk in salon and they do a beautiful job on my nails. I went in today for my Christmas nails and they were lovely. No unnecessary fees, no rushed appointments. Take your money elsewhere.

The op said she expected the appointment to be cut short because she was late starting, so no adding on of time, just using the remaining time paid for.

I'd find someone else to do my nails. You was 5 mins late and you kept her updated and agreed for the appointment to finish on time. She and her colleagues were just being rude.

She couldn't have been that worried about going over the alloted time if she spent it on Whatsapp.

Go somewhere else OP

I would ask for a new salon recommendation in your local FB group ….. try and find a way of mentioning the salon without mentioning it if you know what I mean

Gosh. I bet you win hearts and minds daily with comments like that.

Never, ever go there again.

Ooh! You're cool

Any service provider with an obvious attitude problem like that doesn't deserve your custom. Just find someone else for the future. Not worth your headspace over thinking it nor contacting her to explain why you won't be going back.