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

gaving7095

Pay but tell that you'rte unhappy and don't go there again - or at least ensure that you don't get a cut from the same person again.

WIMBORNE_RESIDENT

Sorry - but I can't really see that the fault of a bad haircut is down to the hairdresser! It's all a question of choosing who cuts your hair best, and expecting a different hairdresser to produce the same result is not really reasonable. If you know who suits you and your expectations best, then stick rigidly to that person. Everyone has different skills and abilities, and it's down to you to find them and stay faithful to them. Hairdressing salons usually employ several people - but not all of those people will suit your particular preference!

jenniewb

I would have paid but asked to speak to a senior stylist or manager to explain I'd paid because I felt I should but I hated the cut and wanted a restyle (for free) because the cut was awful.


Failing that, call back (phone if your worried about speaking in person) to explain your dissatisfaction- any salon worth their salt will not want a customer to be unhappy with their cut.

crmism

Maybe the hairdresser was simply having a bad-hair day himself. Perhaps he lost concentration as he was cutting away.

In your place, I'd stick with the same place and see whether the same barber does a better job of it next time. After all, it's not the end of the world when you're paying only £9 a time, is it?

detailista

If you can explain why the cut is bad then it may be worth making a complaint, but be sure to explain the reasons - for example

'I wanted a fringe but they did a centre parting instead'

'I said I didn't want a fringe but now they've given me one' :eek:

'The fringe/back/sides are uneven/different lengths'

'I don't suit a crew cut'

'The blonde dye has gone a bit green'

Incidentally I've just been in a related situation. My hairdresser has an online booking system - you pick which sort of cut you want in advance. I always get a £17 wash and cut. My usual hairdresser was unavailable so I opted for the new guy. At the end he asked for £35. I was too shocked to argue and paid it quietly, with tip.

I was still in that post-haircut shock - you know that few minutes where you feel...erm.... fleeced !? I should have guessed when he said 'I don't do quick cuts' what he also meant is that he doesn't do the cheap cuts. I don't much like the haircut as it happens, but still can't decide whether I can bring myself to complain, and he did spend an hour rather than the usual 20 minutes.

The real problem is I forgot to ask for styling tips. It looks awful the couple of times I've done it. I may go back and at least ask for that for free!

No harm in some polite, constructive feedback. Do it by email if you're nervous - a good salon will reply with some attempt to keep your custom. Hope you get things resolved happily and get to feel good about your hair

Songbirdellen

£9 is not a lot for a haircut - BUT, you could have asked for a more experienced cutter to fix what was wrong or simply told them you didn't like it! I know it's embarrassing, but try next time to tell the cutter on the way through the cut how you like it, if you see it goimg wrong. If you can't feel able to do that, simply don't go back.

KZ19

so as a hairdresser/barber myself i will always advise people to say if you aren't happy with what you have had done!!! most of us will try and sort out what you dont like and if you still aren't happy either dont charge or give you money off next time!

ThriftyWoman

There is no reason why you cannot successfully complain now and get several free haircuts until the damage grows out. I had my hair cut at my regular hairdressers last October and made a written complaint to the manager the following February - 4 months later. I truthfully said problems that occurred after my haircut were "ongoing" - and described them in detail. The salon manager - a top hair designer, immediately phoned me and cut my hair for free. She acknowledged her employee had not cut my hair as he should. A couple of months later I was still having problems as the damage was in the process of growing out so I took "selfies" of my hair and sent them with a letter to the salon owner - a top North West hair designer! He fell over himself to put things right - even cut my hair himself and offered me yet another free haircut for a later date. Thats 3 free haircuts. You should most certainly complain in writing; say what you want in order to put the situation right. Its certainly not too late.

saturdayedition

Sometimes a bad cut isn't always evident on the same day. I had a cut once that looked fine when I left the hairdresser's, but the next day I realized it was uneven. I went back in and said I was unhappy. They weren't overjoyed, but fixed it for free.

tombfunky

the difference between a good male haircut and a bad male haircut - around 3 days