Jo Partridge West Dulwich / rip off

[Sol]

I booked an app for my daughter and they didn't tell me they don't do children on the weekends. I took my daughter today and they charged me the full amount, ?35 for a child haircut that took 20min. This lack of business ethics really annoys me. I feel ripped off.

[Penguin68]

I think, strictly, that they don't do children's discounts at the weekends (as they did actually cut her hair). They probably don't do pensioner discounts either as Saturdays must be their day of peak demand - and they would want to use price to move demand to less busy times.

If they advertised discounts for children without indicating restrictions then they are at fault. But if you didn't yourself confirm this with them (assuming they weren't advertising discounts on Saturdays) then I'm not sure they can be blamed. Taking overheads, employers NI etc. into account your ?35 for 20 minutes probably equates to ?50-60 an hour for a qualified cutter and stylist - which isn't an unreasonable wage for a skilled person. If they are not salaried but are independent (self employed) - as sometimes happens in salons - then again not unreasonable.

[Sol]

I think they should have given the information when I booked. I have done their hair there a few times so I thought the price was ?20 for kids which is reasonable. They never said it was a discounted price.

[Penguin68]

Can you remember any signage in their shop? - if there wasn't any then they do appear to have been misleading - did you mention when you booked it was a child's haircut (my wife often makes appointments for my fully grown-up daughters, so it wouldn't necessarily be obvious, unless you stated it, that it was an appointment for a child).

[beansprout]

I have not been there in years - left the day having been there for years and put up with "flexible" price structure hairdresser when I asked just for a French plait told me it would be ?30.00 on top of just paying for cut and colour..!!!

Now have another great hair dresser locally where you know exactly what you are paying for..

[hairdressinglondon@y]

Dear Sol

We apologise for the misunderstanding on pricing for your daughters hair.We would like to make a goodwill gesture to you if would like to call this number 07570302658 and it will be dealt with.

we do try and tell people on booking, and it has always stated on our Price list that Kids, Teenies and Student prices are Monday-Thursday only.

I would like to say we always have encouraged "All the Family" to our salons but we cannot afford to discount services at the weekends.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Kind Regards, Jo Partridge

[hairdressinglondon@y]

Dear Penquin68

Thank you for your post.

As you mention our overheads, especially our Business rates are a factor when taking these decisions.

Also if clients start to bring very young children into salons on a weekend when busy we do get complaints from other clients that they are paying to have a quiet time away from their own children!!Its very hard to please everybody!!

Having said that the young girl that came on Saturday wasn't a very young child!!

Kind regards, Jo Partridge

[hairdressinglondon@y]

Dear Beansprout

I'm sorry you felt that way but plaits/hair up are always extra as they take more time.

Our price list has always been graded due to experience of Stylists as are most salons.

I believe our prices are competitive and we do run promotions throughout the year on varied services which give everybody a chance to have a bargain!! So to speak!!

We use the best products we possibly can in our salons but its becoming increasingly difficult with all the outgoings for small business now...

We hope to see you again,

Regards, Jo Partridge