Should I leave a review about this? Unprofessional hairdresser

[TealSqueal]

I think it was unprofessional, anyway. I've attached a pic but it might take a while to upload so I'll explain it quickly. If the image looks a little funky it's because I had to splice the texts together.

I booked a new client appointment on the 27th December and my appointment was for late January. It was booked through Vagaro, an online booking system separate to the salon itself. The hairdresser texted me today to say prices had increased and I'd be paying more, despite my booking being accepted in late December. She mentions she'll see what she can do if it's out of my budget. I push back saying I think the original price should be honoured and that I can't currently afford the new price. I am told everyone will be subjected to the new pricing system. She offers a refund, I accept.

I thought it was unprofessional and it left me feeling put out. The principle of it doesn't sit right with me and I don't think it was good customer service. I know a lot of you might tell me to forget about it and move on!

I would normally leave a review but they've just rebranded/opened a new business in the same building (the previous owner moved). I suppose it feels a bit mean to leave a bad review since it's technically a new business.

Keen to hear opinions, I've not done anything yet. If I did leave a review it'd be after getting my deposit back.

For what it's worth, it's a curl friendly salon so not as easy to find.

She gave you a refund... that's the compromise.

Is it annoying, absolutely? Percentage wise it's a pretty big hike. But it was booked using an online system that they probably can't change prices for different dates. Also booked on 27th December, when they were probably closed for a few days. She was super polite and offered a refund. I don't see anything issue at all.

I'm sorry, but £90 for a bloody haircut is insane. And this is the hourly rate? The only thing more ridiculous is anyone who pays that.

I would have questioned what the ‘ I’ll see what i can do’ statement meant , but too late now

I have naturally curly hair and my stylist is amazing , I think if she trebled her prices I’d still go! But I’m literally in the chair for 10 minutes for a trim , although granted she knows my hair now but I’ve never understood a cut taking an hour plus …

This. I have no idea why posters get so defensive about hairdressers on here, they could cut off your head and shit down your neck and posters would tell you that you are out of order leaving a bad review.

I wouldn't leave a bad review but I wouldn't go back either. Completely unprofessional practise.

I think she should have honoured the original price - she obviously isn’t looking for new clients.

This is straight breach of contract by the hairdresser. Absolutely fair to leave a review, not least to let potential customers know that this could happen to them.

As a matter of law, no, they couldn't raise their prices from the one they originally agreed to charge.

If the online system didn't reflect the prices the hairdresser actually intended to charge, she shouldn't have used it. Being closed is no excuse for not honouring an agreed price.

The deposit absolutely secures the cost. How would you feel if you had, say, agreed a price for a piece of work at your home and paid a deposit, and they suddenly told you the price had doubled? Why should hairdressers be any different?

I disagree... she gave plenty of notice. This is just a petty complaint.

£90 for a haircut is ridiculous.

I’m in the camp of you booked based on what was advertised and therefore that’s the price that should have been honoured. Their restructure / change of ownership is their business and need to honour prior commitments/ that’s not on you as a customer to work out, it’s on them. I’d have a scan of the Ts&Cs of your booking to see when / how / if they’re allowed to cancel on you, but they should not be increasing the price that has already been agreed before service.

It really depends on what she’s having done. Could be blow dry, treatment, haircut. Could be really long or thick hair. Could be in London. It’s there or thereabouts with what I’ve seen.

You said in your OP that it was booked on a 3rd party booking site, sounds like it's an innocent mistake of changing the prices on there by the hairdresser. She has been polite, informed you in advance and refunded you. You would be an arse to leave a shitty review for a new business who's only crime is to increase their prices, in a cost of living crisis and and be nice to you.

That would annoy me too and I wouldn’t go back.

Yep absolutely shocking.

Totally agree. When my salon increases the price they send an email / text out but it's only by a couple of quid a time. Increasing by 15 is a huge jump!

Pick your battles OP, there are more important things in the world.

I had similar, in that a salon was advertising a new client offer for a certain price, and when I called to book, they asked a few questions and then it was like “oh no, well you wouldn’t be eligible for the new client offer then because …” and that’s when I realised it was probably scam and they always find a way to increase the price. (I did decide to still go! I even went back a couple of times but I did not stay a regular customer for long!)

In your case, I’d decide if you want to go and pay the higher price, or if you don’t want to go and you’d rather have a refund on your deposit. I couldn’t be bothered arguing or writing reviews.

Oh dear, I think they need to up their business skills if they are going to be successful! Presumably the price increase is because either their overheads have increased since the ownership transfer, or they simply want to increase their revenue.

Big gamble pissing off a loyal customer base for the sake of a few quid.

Also… who pays a deposit for a haircut? That is not something I have ever done.

Booking system neither here nor there. If it isn’t fit for purpose they shouldn’t be using it.

All’s well that ends well. The stylist lost custom and the OP keeps her money and is free to go elsewhere. There is nothing to review. There has been no trickery or unprofessionalism.
If you can’t afford £90 quid you can’t really afford £75 any way so take this as a chance to shop around, there are places you can walk-in, or colleges that offer cheap services, or home visit hairdressing works out cheaper.

Hmm. Lots of things to comment on!! I go to a lovely salon in the centre of a large Scottish city, and I have never spent that much on a haircut. Ever. £60 is a LOT. But then a 20% increase in cost?
thats crazy. I run a business and will put up my costs this week. I’ll likely go up with inflation, so possibly a 6-7% increase.
I do think the message was polite, and it was good of her to warn you in advance. It would have been worse had you been told about the increase after the haircut.
I don’t think you should leave a negative review, as technically she hasn’t really done anything wrong, other than correct an error in their booking system.
but personally, if I were the hairdresser, I would have honoured the price as a once off.

sorry but £75 for a haircut???? Wtf????

£90 for a haircut !!! I get a whole head of highlights for that!! Haircut is £40. Top salon too!