How would you proceed with this stylist situation?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been going to the same hairstylist for the past 15 years. I’ve followed her to three different salons. I tip her 45%. I give her a similar tip if I come in around the holidays.

I had an appointment today at noon for a simple trim (no color or anything else). Early this morning my child woke up sick and I had to stay home. I sent her a text at 9am and even called the salon when it opened at 10am to cancel my appointment. She is now working at one of those salons where you rent the chair/space and run your own company, hers is her own LLC. She has a policy where if you cancel within 48 hours, you are charged a $35 fee. I mention this to say that this policy is her own, not mandated by the salon. More than once she’s called ME to cancel when something has come up and I’ve simply rebooked—life happens. So you can imagine my surprise when she texts back that she’s sorry but she still has to charge me the $35 because it’s policy. I don’t know how to feel about this, because that was a choice. I don’t expect preferential treatment, but maybe a certain level of camaraderie and reciprocity due to my loyalty, perhaps, if that makes sense? I’m left with a really bad taste in my mouth over this and don’t know what to do.

[Anonymous]

Simple. If you're happy with her work, treat her in a straightforward businesslike manner moving forward. 20% tips not 45% (save the latter for holidays). And make sure you complain loudly if she ever cancels on you again.

[Anonymous]

I would be annoyed too, and I'd share that with her. I'd explain that you have always accomodated her schedule and you're upset that she cant do the same for you one time.

After that, if I really liked her, I'd keep seeing her...but I would not be so keen on rescheduling the next time she needed to.

[Anonymous]

Get a new stylist.

[Anonymous]

It's $35. I'd let it go personally. Maybe tip $7 less the next 5 times. I get she has cancelled on you, but this is her livelihood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple. If you're happy with her work, treat her in a straightforward businesslike manner moving forward. 20% tips not 45% (save the latter for holidays). And make sure you complain loudly if she ever cancels on you again.

I agree with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been going to the same hairstylist for the past 15 years. I’ve followed her to three different salons. I tip her 45%. I give her a similar tip if I come in around the holidays.

I had an appointment today at noon for a simple trim (no color or anything else). Early this morning my child woke up sick and I had to stay home. I sent her a text at 9am and even called the salon when it opened at 10am to cancel my appointment. She is now working at one of those salons where you rent the chair/space and run your own company, hers is her own LLC. She has a policy where if you cancel within 48 hours, you are charged a $35 fee. I mention this to say that this policy is her own, not mandated by the salon. More than once she’s called ME to cancel when something has come up and I’ve simply rebooked—life happens. So you can imagine my surprise when she texts back that she’s sorry but she still has to charge me the $35 because it’s policy. I don’t know how to feel about this, because that was a choice. I don’t expect preferential treatment, but maybe a certain level of camaraderie and reciprocity due to my loyalty, perhaps, if that makes sense? I’m left with a really bad taste in my mouth over this and don’t know what to do.

I would not go back.

I have seen my person on and off for twenty years. This happened to me and she did not charge me the fee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's $35. I'd let it go personally. Maybe tip $7 less the next 5 times. I get she has cancelled on you, but this is her livelihood.

I get that, but I would have thrown an extra $25 at her as an apology the next time, and she knows that’s my style.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's $35. I'd let it go personally. Maybe tip $7 less the next 5 times. I get she has cancelled on you, but this is her livelihood.

I get that, but I would have thrown an extra $25 at her as an apology the next time, and she knows that’s my style.

If you are really pleased with her hair services, I think you bend and agree but mention it at the next appointment. Also, even if it's not your fault, you don't know what's going on in her life that she needs that cancellation policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's $35. I'd let it go personally. Maybe tip $7 less the next 5 times. I get she has cancelled on you, but this is her livelihood.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple. If you're happy with her work, treat her in a straightforward businesslike manner moving forward. 20% tips not 45% (save the latter for holidays). And make sure you complain loudly if she ever cancels on you again.

This is what I would do.
If she has a policy about client cancellations than she should not be surprised to live by that policy with her own personal cancellations.

[Anonymous]

I would not go back because to me after 15 years (or even a few) you know regular clients, and that it's not your style to do this to her, plus you've had her cancel on you and were kind about it. So it's not like I would even care about the money, but more the idea that you're just the same to her as some random new client to her when you've been loyal through the years.

[Anonymous]

I would take the tips down to the standard 20%, if you are both now following standard policy. That way you can more than afford any cancellation if you or your kid is sick again.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t go back. That’s ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I totally forgot my appointment one time. Rescheduled when they called. Didn't charge me the $50.
Unless that stylist is so in demand that she fills every hour, her livelihood would have been fine if OP rescheduled. And $35 isn't a full service anyway.

I would look around and certainly not tip 45% anymore.