Hairdresser ettiquette?

Fuzzy_Duck

Bit of a moan so I apologise in advance!

A few weeks back I had a wander round town looking for a new hairdresser. I wanted a cut and colour so was popping in to all my local ones to ask for a price list so I could go home and have a think about it. The last one I visited instantly sat me down for a colour consultation, which as I understand it, is a free service and entirely non-committal. After this I was taken to the till for a booking to be made. I, ever the spineless person I am, panicked. I tried to stay polite but I really wanted to think about it first. Luckily for me my boyfriend had taken off earlier with my bags, so I was unable to give them my mobile number (I can never remember it!) and I couldn't give a deposit either without my purse. They booked me in for a Wednesday, and when I said I couldn't do a weekday- as I commute and might be delayed- and asked for a Saturday, they kept telling me, "but you won't get our discount at the weekend!" I tell them once again that I can't do Wednesday and that I don't have any of my things on me, so I'll ring back at a later date to arrange it, especially as other people were waiting behind me at the time. I was told I have to confirm the appointment and pay the deposit asap, or they will cancel it after a week.

I never did call them back to arrange an appointment. Quite frankly, because I found them pushy, the guy doing my booking verging on the rude at times- ignoring me when I first arrived, and becoming increasingly grouchy when I couldn't pay up- and I was particularly suspicious that they never told me the one thing I was interested in- the price! I didn't want to ring and risk offending them when I said I wasn't interested, and had assumed, as they said, that my booking would be cancelled as I had not confirmed it or given a deposit.

So imagine my shock when I get a voicemail from a colleague, saying my hairdresser's rung up to remind me of my appointment today, as the only contact number I knew off the top of my head was my work number! Gah- I know it's partly my fault for not ringing when I said I would, but strikes me as weird that they were so insistant about a deposit and then failed to cancel my booking when I never came back to them. It's been nearly a month since I visited, why didn't they ring earlier?

Really annoyed, especially as I'm even more unwilling to ring as they'll be even more arsey with me than ever (and my appointment has since passed anyway), although I risk them ringing me at work again. So, thoughts? Was I in the wrong for not confirming, or do people do similar all the time? As far as I was concerned you're allowed to visit a hairdresser to have a consultation and have a nose around the place without having to make an appointment, but now I feel really guilty that I've wasted their time and money

Foggster

I would call and ask to speak with the manager/ess and be just as pushy as they were with you! Keep insisting it is a complaint and you will only speak with the manager/ess. Keep on this approach and if you do get to speak to the person in charge, explain the situation, highlighting the hard sell you felt you received and ask them not to ever ring you at work.

Do not give them a chance to be arsey back!

belfastgirl23

I'd just ignore it, you didn't confirm the appointment nor pay a deposit. And if they phone again tell them that you really don't appreciate being pushed around, your understanding was that you were to confirm the appointment which you didn't do, and it's their tough luck. I think you've had a very narrow escape personally!

Fuzzy_Duck

Thanks for the input both. I'd forgotten all about it until I got the voice message and was feeling really bad about it- I bet they were cursing about me when I didn't turn up! I agree though, it was probably best I didn't use them in the end! Instead I went to my usual hairdresser (although further away from home) at the cost of £10 and used some packet dye. Much more money saving!

Anyway, I think I might leave it unless they ring me, in which case I will be very firm about my feelings at the time and why I never came back!

Cheers again Foggster and belfastgirl

Material_Girl_2

I agree, if they are being pushy and rude trying the hard sell on you then they don't deserve a courtesy call from you.

jenniewb

They sound OTT- Any idiot would have been able to tell you were not asking for an appointment- they really seemed to have cornered you!

I'd see if you can get your boyfriend of mate from work to call up on your behalf and say you never agreed to an appointment, you were pushed into it and now they are calling as they didn't seem to hear it when you said.

No means no means no- seems they don't understand- that would put me off an appointment with them, I can see the arguements now: you want brown? "ah but blonde would suit you much better, we'll go blonde..."

Name and shame?

judyjetson

How strange. I have never been asked to pay a deposit when making a hair appointment. I go to a well known chain, based in a department store, and have never had hard sell there or phone call reminders, except for once when my stylist was ill and they were cancelling the appointment.

I'd be surprised if they do phone again, I certainly wouldn't bother phoning them back.

If they couldn't take no for an answer, imagine what they could have done to your hair. :eek:

Fuzzy_Duck

Cheers all It was Bad Apple Hair in Birmingham. I was also surprised about the deposit judgejaq- never been asked for one before. Still, they must be popular as they couldn't offer me an appointment until weeks later, much later than I wanted.

I was really worried what they'd do with my hair- I've been growing my hair for ages and they were asking how much I wanted off, and when I said as little as possible they were telling me how dry and damaged it was- which really confused me as my hair's in pretty good condition. My previous hairdresser always used to remark on it, especially as I use straighteners.

As for the colour I wanted something quite a bit lighter (dark brown to burgundy so it's not like I wanted pale blonde!), as otherwise I'd have simply done it myself at home. Again they kept tutting at my dark hair and saying how much work it would take. You'd think they'd be a bit more confident in themselves!

So yes, I think you're quite right jenniewb- I'd have probably ended up with my hair cut short and my colour a shade I could have achieved myself out of a box :eek:

welshdent

can you just not go? and never go back?? If people find it easy enough to just not bother with medical and dental appointments then whats the big deal about a hair dresser?

clairibel

They sound very desperate for custom which would worry me :eek:

But i wouldn't bother about not ringing them back, you were under no obligation as they were booking you in for an appointment you stated you could not do and wanted weekends, its there own fault for not listening to the customer and the deposit thing is bizarre, never heard of anything like it.

I wouldn't worry sounds like they are used to people not turning up but he should not have rung you anywhere..again another whiff of desperation....lucky escape

Fuzzy_Duck

welshdent wrote: »

can you just not go? and never go back?? If people find it easy enough to just not bother with medical and dental appointments then whats the big deal about a hair dresser?

Well that's just it, I honestly had no idea it would turn out to be a problem! Especially as I hadn't even confirmed the appointment and told them I couldn't do the date in the first place. I will be avoiding them like the plague from now on... haven't had any phone calls yet thankfully, if I do they're going to get a very snarky response.

Another thing I found odd was they were clamouring for my mobile number, because they send reminder text messages to all their customers. Again I got the disgruntled expression when I said I couldn't remember my number (although even if I did, I would have lied about it anyway at that point!) Didn't really appreciate their attitude that you HAVE to have a mobile to book an appointment. Everywhere else I've been you ring up, book an appointment, give your name, bob's your uncle.

Anyway, thanks again for all your input, as this is pretty much settled now all I'll say is think twice if you ever visit Bad Apple Hair!