Hair salon alleging I haven’t paid

[wellbugger]

Posting here purely for traffic.

I had my hair done last weekend. Their card machine was down. The stylist charged me over the app. I checked my bank in front of her and showed her that the money had left my account.

They’ve called me today to say that on their end, the money hasn’t come through. I’ve sent a screenshot of my bank which clearly shows that the money due has left my account and gone to them.

AIBU to think this is their issue now? I’ve paid, if they’re having issues with their app that’s not my problem

They are going to try to bully you into paying again.
Do you have the strength to say no?
If they start a row in the salon?
If they accuse you of theft?
If they shout or insult you?
Can you calmly stand your ground in front of staff and customers? Can you say no, I have paid, here is the proof, this is not my fault or my responsibility. This is for you to deal with with the app. They have your money.
If they talk about needing that money can you say and I need not to pay it twice

If not then don't put yourself in that situation.

The owner wants to talk to you?! Omg 😱 I don't think I'd go either! Just in case they lock the door and call the police. I'd message explaining that, "I'm no longer comfortable with attending the appointment, as I've already sent proof that I've paid. "

If they lock the door and call the police they will be in trouble.
Also all the op needs to do is show the police proof she's paid.

And the police would just say its a civil matter anyway. And probably tell the salon they can't hold someone hostage.

Go, and give the owner a piece of your mind about how you’ve been treated.

If you don't feel confident to be assertive in person- and not everyone would - write a strongly worded email with proof attached to cover yourself. Then refuse to engage further.

Just go, explain you haven't the money to pay them again, give them all the transaction details, print off if you can the transaction showing as paid and tell them they need to follow it up with Fresha as your bank tell you that Fresha have the funds.

Yes, it's possible that it's left your account but somehow not landed in theirs. So no one's wrong, but it's only fair to speak to the bank.

If the manager is there tomorrow, you can log in to your bank app and clearly show your list of recent transactions and that the money has been debited. Tell her/him you won’t be able to pay again because you don’t have enough funds in your account now due to extortionate hairdresser prices.

Go to the appointment and make it clear you are unhappy that they are repeatedly accusing you of not paying when you have shown them proof multiple times of the payment. Point out the customer service is really poor on their end, their crap card machine and lack of ability to phone their own bank. They’ve chosen to use fresha so it’s on them to contact the provider and sort this with them

Is there someone you can take with you? I'm not sure I'd want to go alone either. It definitely sounds like they are going to expect you to pay again and you'd be in quite a vulnerable position alone in the shop. Not going won't make you look guilty so ignore those suggestions, it can be very hard to be assertive when you're being effectively ganged up on.

Fuck not going to the appointment. I'd be in there today demanding to speak to the manager/owner.

That explains it - Fresha says it takes up to 5 working days to process payments

Have you contacted the help section in the app to ask for their assistance? Tell them you’re accused of not paying and being harassed.

Yep, this.
They sound fly.
You've done and shown them everything you can.
I would either not go tomorrow (if it's not really an important appointment) or, if it is, go armed with the stuff you've already sent them (a pain I know, but you may as well be armoured) and reiterate that you have paid and your bank has confirmed that the money has gone.
Don't let them bully you. Don't say you can't afford to pay again; paying again is not even on the table.

If you don’t go you will look as if you are avoiding them and it reduces the chances of the situation being resolved.
It is possible that the money left your account but isn’t in their’s yet. Either because there is a lag in paying out or because something has gone wrong and the money is in limbo.
Showing them that the money has left your account will help as will staying calm, being open to talking and making clear that you want to pay but literally can’t pay a second time. Accept their concern that the money hasn’t reached them, possibly ask how long payments on this platform usually take to clear to their account. Ask if there is any record on the system of you paying or being asked to pay. Don’t let them browbeat you but don’t be goaded into loosing your temper.

I'd want to go to show them in person that they are talking shite

And treating a customer very badly.

So what? If they ask, she can say, 'Yes, I am avoiding you, because I've done my bit and it's in your hands and you're hassling me.'

I'd go to the appointment and call your bank when they are there with you. They can't detain you and force you to pay again. They could try ringing the poloce, but surely it's a civil issue so I doubt they'd be interested, unless there's a breach of peace/affray. If you have paid and have proof, then you should have nothing to worry about.

Well quite. I'm not sure many of us would knowingly put ourselves into a situation where we would be accused of not paying and with multiple staff members on the owners side.

Going in will do absolutely nothing to resolve the problem. The OP has given them all the information she can and they clearly won't resolve the issue with the company so why should the OP waste her time attending. It will achieve nothing other than allowing the owner to be in a position to bully her in person into paying again.

Yes, they'd look very silly if they called the police. That's the OP's nerves talking I think.

Why would the police come, what is the crime the salon would be reporting?

Are you being sarcastic? I don't think the salon is run by the Kray twins.

She has confirmed with her bank, did you miss that bit?

It’s not your problem but I would remain in communication with them and show them the money leaving your account in your app, if possible.

We had this with a card provider. Twice 😫

She's already said 'I’ve sent them the screenshot showing that in my bank’s eyes, the transaction is complete.'

Just reply. 'Great. I look forward to letting them know how I'm being hounded for payment when I've evidenced that I have paid on the day my the method requested and that someone at the salon cannot be bothered to chase your own App provider'.

This is on them not you.