Money Moral Dilemma: Should I have refused to pay for my haircut?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I just had my haircut but it looks awful. I thought so at the time (and the barber was even making up ridiculous excuses to justify what he clearly knew was a bad cut too) but didn’t say anything because it only cost me £9. I’ve also had great cuts from the same place and want to return. Should I have refused to pay or should I just refuse to let the same barber cut my hair again?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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stmartinsdiver

You should have refused to pay at the time. Too late now so go somewhere else next time.

Pollycat

MSE_Sarah wrote: »

I just had my haircut but it looks awful. I thought so at the time (and the barber was even making up ridiculous excuses to justify what he clearly knew was a bad cut too) but didn’t say anything because it only cost me £9. I’ve also had great cuts from the same place and want to return. Should I have refused to pay or should I just refuse to let the same barber cut my hair again?

The bit in bold is where you went wrong.
Why didn't you say anything at the time?

AnneMary

As said above, "Why didn't you say something at the time"? Especially as the person who cut your hair was making excuses.
However, if it is less than a week I would go back in and ask to speak to the boss. Ask for free cut next time – you say you've had good cuts there before.

On the other hand, One thing for sure about hair is it will grow out. If you have learnt your lesson about complaining/negotiating straightaway £9 isn't too much to pay to learn this.

Either way make a decision!

Bellisima

We've all had bad haircuts, and I know it's hard to complain there and then. I can remember in the 80's having a dreadful perm (they were all the rage then!) and I ended up looking like a poodle! I never said a word and it took months and months to grow out. Just let it go and don't go back.

Cimscate

Most women I know, me included NEVER complain at the hairdressers mostly because we have come to expect they don't do what we ask. Say take an inch off and you can expect to be shorn within an inch of your life (OK maybe a slight exaggeration)


I only ever complained once a few years ago as it was such a bad haircut and even then I didn't do it on the spot but took pictures when I got home and e-mailed the salon. I got a free cut from the boss 2 months later and never went there again.


So yes we should complain but seldom do. However £9 is a ridiculously low price and I wouldn't expect much from it so if you're usually pleased with the cut suck it up but maybe mention you weren't happy next time.

Ebenezer_Screwj

You should have said at the time that you were not happy and negotiated to have it done for nothing on your next visit, bearing in mind your previous custom.

happyinflorida

As others have said, about complaining there and then but I know it's difficult with hairdressing - personally I find it almost impossible to complain!

I have got to the point now, if I'm having my fringe cut, that I will point out if it's not straight as that drives me nuts afterwards and I take the scissors to it and have ended up with it far too short before because I'm not so good at cutting my own hair!!

If you've had different people do your hair, at the same hairdressers and this time you've had someone else and you're not happy with how they've done it, then if it's been good before, I'd stick with the same place and make sure you book the ones you like in future.

However, it might be better to find somewhere else because if you go back now and the person you've booked is either away or for some reason not able to do your hair, you could get the bad one again and then you would either be faced with having the same problem again! Although you could prepare yourself in advance and suddenly come up with "OMG I've just remembered I've got an important appointment at the hospital, so sorry, I'll have to leave now" - I did that once too!!

I think it's too late to do anything now - unless your cut is obviously bad, then you could be brave and go back and point out the problems and ask for it to be re-done free of charge. If they treat you badly, def don't go back!

Good luck

gloriouslyhappy

AnneMary wrote: »

As said above, "Why didn't you say something at the time"? Especially as the person who cut your hair was making excuses.
However, if it is less than a week I would go back in and ask to speak to the boss. Ask for free cut next time – you say you've had good cuts there before.

On the other hand, One thing for sure about hair is it will grow out. If you have learnt your lesson about complaining/negotiating straightaway £9 isn't too much to pay to learn this.

Either way make a decision!

This sums it up nicely.

cheerful

I thought so at the time (and the barber was even making up ridiculous excuses to justify what he clearly knew was a bad cut too) but didn’t say anything

Does no one talk to their barber/hairdresser during the cut? One assumes that you have had the sense to make clear what you want from the haircut. Once that is established, even a simple haircut is a gradual process so speak up as soon as he or she makes a cut about which you are unhappy. If they will not comply with your (reasonable) directions that is sufficient reason not to pay. If it is a barber, most do not need an appointment so you could literally walk out and go somewhere else straight away. A hint to the barber about doing that and a comment on the power of social media and review websites should ensure compliance.

My closest experience to this, many years ago (before social media), involved a barber starting to cut much shorter than I had asked for. I complained immediately and told him to simply even up what he had done then leave it. I offered him half the cost which he accepted.

little_buddy

Something similar happened my mother when she got her colour done. Sitting too long in the salon her hair was black instead of a light pale brown. When she showed me, I was furious. I made her ring the salon to get the hairdresser to correct it. Fair enough they did and told her to come in the next day and they put it back to what it should have been without any further costs. You need to speak up!! Do not pay for a service that is unacceptable. It is up to them to correct it and make the customer satisfied.