MMD: I was wrongly given an OAP discount for my haircut, should I have paid full price?

Grumpyyeti

The first time was an honest mistake by the hairdresser, the second time you were knowingly deceitful. So maybe you just don't have a conscience? My hairdresser gives a pensioner discount and I qualify but I'm still working (by my choice) and like many pensioners not badly off (no childen to raise, no mortgage etc.) so why would I expect him to subsidise me?

Watson11

I don’t know why you need to ask. Very good of the hairdresser to offer this discount to OAPs. Not very nice to take advantage of her kindness.

Super_Consumer

But perhaps I'm too honest as I always say but then it's a small business and the team are great and if a cheap haircut for me means they might close down,:) or not get paid a fair amount, I'm happy (ish) to pay the extra even though I'm actually retired but too young for state pension.

newwiseman

No question about it. A concession is just that, it is not an excuse conning someone because you can get away with it.
I have the opposite issue in looking younger than I am, so only got the concession when my age came up in conversation.

ripongrammargirl

I am now disabled (I used to care for the disabled) and just can’t afford anything on the tiny benefit I get- which only pays credit card, so I can only afford to go to my hairdresser (independent and not part of a big chain)once every couple of years. At nearly £50 a visit I just can’t afford it so have to cut my own fringe etc. If you can afford it, as it seems you can, then pay up and it might mean unfortunate people like me could maybe get a discount.

[Deleted User]

BobblyBob wrote: »

...However if a wealthy organisation (eg Amazon) made an error in my favour, it would present me with considerably more of a moral dilemma!

No matter who makes the error I still let them know.

I bought some shoes online from John Lewis (I am tall with a ladies 9 shoe size so I usually have to buy online).

When the shoes were delivered they had sent me 2 boxes of shoes instead of 1. I called customer service to ask how to send the extra shoes back as a refund did not apply as I had not paid for them. The man who took the call from customer services said "due to your honesty we will give them to you as a gift!" which was very generous.

So every time I wore the shoes I remembered the nice gesture instead of feeling guilty.

So, in my opinion mention the discount and pay full price in future.

JBR999

I have never paid anything to my hairdresser, and yet have received wonderful service.

My wife is an excellent hairdresser!

paul_k

Well,
next visit I would tell them that you were upset being thought much older.Then tell them,but say ,"perhaps you will for awhile at least
continue with the reduced rate as you think I am so old!"
My bet is they will be embarrassed and may well give you the discount.You have nothing to lose.

I would if I were the Barber.
I am the opposite,I don't like to claim OAP discounts because I look younger!

alphaguru

I think as long as you didn't deliberately mislead them, it's their fault for assuming your age. If they asked how old you are and you lied to them, that's a different story (and doesn't appear to be the case here). How they came to their decision of what to charge you isn't your concern because you don't know why they decided to charge less and didn't do anything at all to cause them to come to this action. You could tell them you're not an OAP if it bothers you but if they haven't explicitly told you why they're charging you less then you haven't been given an appropriate reason to correct them. All that should matter is what they ask for in payment for providing the service.

For those calling it theft, there is certainly nothing illegal here. Some may find it immoral but certainly nothing has been stolen.

The contract for the service is - hairdresser provides haircut, customer provides requested payment as consideration for service. Customer is paying what has been asked for, so the contract is valid and has been fulfilled. It's certainly not theft!

POPPYOSCAR

Occam's_Razor wrote: »

You’re knowingly paying the incorrect (lower) price for a service. Is that not theft?

How on earth is that theft?

The Op has been told how much to pay and she has paid it.

At no time has she misled anyone.