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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To charge back my card? (Hairdresser).

164 replies

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 15:45

Booked hairdresser for 2pm for a full head of colour (dark brown/black) and a cut and blow dry. I realised at half 12, she’d emailed me at 11am asking if I could come in any earlier. I emailed back and said earliest I could go in was 1, which she said was fine. I’ve been to her before and she’s always been fine.

Get there and she’s incredibly short with me. Seems pissed off that I didn’t come in earlier and she’s been “waiting around all morning” even though I booked a 2pm appointment. Doesn’t offer a tea or coffee or anything and slaps on the colour. Leaves it for 25 minutes, then starts saying she may not have time now to do a full blow dry as she’s busy but could blast it with the hairdryer. I’m annoyed and sense tension but say fine. She then proceeds as she’s washing it to say actually she may not have time at all, and as I’m only going home after can only towel dry it. We weren’t even at my original appointment time yet.

She then cuts it quickly, just the ends and not my usual layers and when I mention it again she says about time. Things are getting tense and I’m getting tearful. (7 months pregnant too). She then wraps my hair in a paper towel and says that I’m finished and I look at her gone out.

She says sorry needs the chair back for next client. I say fine whatever, get up and leave. Issue is I’ve booked through Fresha and they’ve taken the full amount from my card. I emailed the salon once I’ve got out and processed everything and they’re point blank refusing a refund even though I got barely a cut and absolutely no blow dry.

i won’t be going there again but can/would you request a bank charge back? Paid by debit card and it was £85😭 im so upset, money is tight anyway and this was suppose to be a birthday treat.

OP posts:
goodnessidontknow · 20/05/2026 15:52

I would!

ExplodingCarrots · 20/05/2026 15:53

Is she the salon owner ? Can you call and ask to speak to the manager . If you get nowhere there I’d definitely do a charge back and leave them a negative review. She’s taking the piss charging you for a blow dry she didn’t do.

LlynTegid · 20/05/2026 15:54

I would not do a chargeback, even if it is possible. You are voting with your feet. Maybe contact trading standards as you have not had the service you paid for.

VIII · 20/05/2026 15:55

If the salon are refusing to issue you with a refund or discuss the issue the yes I absolutely would. However I would first send another email to make sure you have the full matter in writing and see if they will resolve the problem so you have a clear paper trail.

Laura95167 · 20/05/2026 15:55

Yes I would. And after I got my money I would write a review

Thingcanonlygetbetter · 20/05/2026 15:56

Omg that is just wild. Shocking. I think a strongly worded email is required first. I don’t think you could charge back the full amount as your hair was coloured. Did the colour work out ok given the short time it was left on?

sundaysurfing · 20/05/2026 15:58

I’d go crazy! Take photos and leave a google review, facebook view, twitter review etc. how awful.

OhBettyCalmDown · 20/05/2026 16:00

I’d absolutely escalate this complaint to the salon first. Show evidence of your original booking and tell them you want a refund. You prob won’t get a full one but they should return a decent portion. I’d be leaving a bad review if you don’t get this sorted and try and claim the money back if you get no joy with the salon as you haven’t actually received the service you paid for

FionaFifferson · 20/05/2026 16:04

Thats ridiculous (and first time ive seen an unanimous AIBU!!)
Id like to think id have said "you clearly dont have time for me. Lets rearrange" and walked out 😅

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:08

Got an email back from the salon owner to say that as she rents a chair, it’s at her discretion to refund and on this occasion she won’t. That they don’t handle payments etc and it goes to each person who rents a chair. Such a nightmare.

OP posts:
DeftGoldHedgehog · 20/05/2026 16:10

Definitely do a chargeback then. She sounds appalling.

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:12

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:08

Got an email back from the salon owner to say that as she rents a chair, it’s at her discretion to refund and on this occasion she won’t. That they don’t handle payments etc and it goes to each person who rents a chair. Such a nightmare.

What absolutely horrible service. I would definitely do the charge back and I would be leaving a review. Factually stating that despite arriving early at her request your appointment was rushed and she sent you away with wet hair. Hopefully then she will think twice about her customer service skills, or lack of.

Howdoidoit100 · 20/05/2026 16:19

What awful treatment.

As you have already reached out directly and asked for a refund, I would contact [email protected] and explain the situation and request a refund.

The problem with charge backs is that the financial institution tends to open a case and then wait for you to send evidence etc. This process can sometimes take weeks only for the case to be closed 'not enough evidence' and by that point out of timeframe to go back to Fresha. Fresha must have a process for this.

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:22

I don't think Fresha can issue refunds themselves can they? I might be wrong but I think it needs to be the business that issues the refund through Fresha?

Georgiapeach21 · 20/05/2026 16:22

Absolutely and leave them a shitty review too!

Metromayhem · 20/05/2026 16:32

Definitely charge back and leave a scathing review on every single place you can! Awful woman.

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:34

VIII · 20/05/2026 16:22

I don't think Fresha can issue refunds themselves can they? I might be wrong but I think it needs to be the business that issues the refund through Fresha?

I’ve been researching and think that’s right. They take payment on behalf but can’t refund it and have no dispute service! Seems dodgy but true 😰

OP posts:
VIII · 20/05/2026 16:35

Tidalwaver · 20/05/2026 16:34

I’ve been researching and think that’s right. They take payment on behalf but can’t refund it and have no dispute service! Seems dodgy but true 😰

Fortunately it looks like if you do a charge back the business will be liable for the fees they incur from Fresha. Silver lining and all that.

CanaryLibra · 20/05/2026 16:40

Yes I would do a chargeback. Not only will you be refunded, but it will cost her roughly £18 in fees (I use Fresha as a service provider myself).

AlohaRose · 20/05/2026 16:45

I presume this was a hairdresser you had never used before? Sounds like Fresha has over-booked her, which is by no means your fault though. After her slapdash approach though, maybe it's best she didn't cut your hair. How is the colour?

DJKATIE · 20/05/2026 16:46

Absolutely do a charge back, you have not received the service you have paid for, after the charge back is finalised (untill it can not be disputed ) you could offer to pay for what you did received ie, just the cost of the colour. Also please leave a review so others can avoid this very unprofessional hairdresser.

pilates · 20/05/2026 16:49

Why on earth did you accept this appalling behaviour at the time. You should have complained while you were in there.

LondonTipton99 · 20/05/2026 16:51

name and shame OP

Dragonflyspeeding · 20/05/2026 16:52

Yes. And leave negative reviews everywhere so she won’t double book clients again.

Smartiepants79 · 20/05/2026 16:53

pilates · 20/05/2026 16:49

Why on earth did you accept this appalling behaviour at the time. You should have complained while you were in there.

I was wondering this. Why did you just let her behave like this? Why didn’t you just say - actually I booked a 2 pm appointment, if you’ve not got time to do it properly then I’ll come back next week…..