Has anyone been charged an insane extra fee for hair color?

[mo91982]

I recently had a really odd experience at a hair salon. Normally, I receive a touch up of color and highlights and the pricing is typically in the 100-130 range. I have never paid more than this. I do usually pay about 20 bucks more than listed as I have moderately long hair (a few inches past the shoulders) and a lot of hair. I am fine with this as it does not add much to the bill and the stylists always lets me know that she is going to have to charge me for an extra color bowl and that it will be like 10-15 extra bucks. 

However, this time I was charged an outrageous $150+ for the service. This is not in an upscale city, nor an upscale salon. In fact, the girl I booked the service with is self employed and simply rents out a space in a shared use building. I have had my hair done at upper end salons before and love how you are treated with little extras like wine and coffee and the whole experience just feels like I am being pampered. There were absolutely no amenities here - it was pretty dingy in fact, so I am kind of upset as I would never have spent this much money at a salon like this had they been upfront with the pricing in the first place. I picked the salon because the pricing was moderate. 

Here are some quick details

I booked a service online which was listed as $135. I requested a touch up and then highlights in the light brown/honey range (I have medium brown hair). I usually go lighter but wanted something a bit more low maintenance. I haven't dyed my hair in like 5 years (to give it a much needed break from my over processing college days) and was ready to spice things up. It is in very good condition - stylist said it was like the best condition she has seen in a while.

For some reason, the stylist did the root retouch and color at the same time. Never had this happen before. Not really a fan as the highlights start a lot lower down than usual and it feels like I need a touch up already. She said she likes to do it this way as it is more natural like a sun kissed look. Also can still see some greys which I think is ridiculous for almost 300 bucks. She said that the color they use more blends it than completely covering. Whatever I guess but next time I want all my greys covered as I am not in my 40's yet and it looks weird to have grey in my opinion! If you are paying so much why not just cover it instead of blending!

The whole process took a miserable 5 hours. She took pics of my hair for before and after pics and said she wanted to curl it for a dramatic after pic for her social media. Kinda annoying as I had my husband waiting for me and I really needed to get food as I was already there for 4 hours. However, b/c this stylist was so friendly and sociable I felt guilty saying something. I wasn't sure what do as I have a pretty reserved personality. I have never been in longer than 2-3 hours top. Also seems like she left the foils on a bit too long as the color seemed a bit lighter than I requested - more dark blonde than light brown.

After the lengthy wait, I was told the bill was $250. I almost fell out of my chair. She said the charges were as following

170 for touch up and roots (she said the listed price online of 135 is wrong and she apologizes and will fix it for future customers)

60 for toner (had to use 3 bowls she said) Ive never been charged for toner before wish she would of told me esp for such a hefty fee

4 extra bowls for color at $10 a piece

$40 extra for Olaplex and b3 strengthening treatments. I never requested these treatments nor ever heard of them. I highlighted my hair a very light blonde for about 15 years and never felt I needed extra conditioning and def would of skipped this had I the choice as I hate spending too much money on beauty services as I feel guilty. I was not even dyeing my hair that light so I really feel like I did not need this service. Plus my hair was already in good condition as I've not dyed it in years.

Anyways I emailed her and asked her for the itemized listing of charges and looked up some of them online. Seems like olaplex and b3 have to be discussed with the client and toner is usually included with the service?

I told her I thought the charging was unfair as she was not upfront about anything. I don't care if a hair service is 60 or 600 but I need no surprises. I have a budget and would like to stick to it. Over $150 more than I intended is a pretty big difference, esp on something I will be needing to do every 2 months. She said I apologize for the website pricing I will update it.

As for the olaplex I use this on all my clients because I like the product she says. Then she said I would never been able to get you that blonde without it. First of all, I never requested blonde. Second, my hair is not even blonde. Third, shouldn't she still ask if I would like the service and inform me of the extra charge regardless? About the toner she had no response. And as for the extra color she stated you have long hair (this is the only extra fee I am fine with). She said she would give me back the money for the extra color bowls, which is kinda weird as this was not even the charge I was disputing - in fact, the only one I understood. She said I actually gave you a discount of 15% as I should have charged you 300, instead of 250. Charged for 290 for a service listed at 135!? Call me crazy but this seems a bit overboard! I said maybe on your website you should add in that I charge for toner and olaplex for all clients no matter what this is X additional fee. She didn't respond. 

Pretty pissed that I spent 5 hours getting my hair done, let her take my pics for her website, and had to dish out almost $300 for a sub par experience. I would have rather spent the extra money on something important. I feel like I had no choice b/c she was acting like I was strange for disputing the charges like I was some cheapo or something that didn't want to pay for the service. It's not about that. It's about whether or not something is a good value (by me). And I do not think this was a good value. And I would not have scheduled a service if the pricing was this crazy.

Should I just leave this go? Is this a pretty common occurrence in the salon world? 

[sarahbear]

I'd call it a lesson learned and never go back to her.

[mo91982]

Definitely won't be going back lol. To think I wasted 300 bucks to go to some dingy salon in a strip mall. I checked the 5 star resort in my city and it actually would have been 100 bucks cheaper! My husband and family and I have been laughing about this all week. Just wanted to share my story as it is so over the top ridiculous. Already found a new colorist that does not charge for toner or extra conditioners which you do not request and they quoted me 90 bucks! And it is in the fancy suburb area of the city I live in - in a much more elegant stand alone building.

[vamoose]

Why in the world did you pay? “I booked the $135 service. I will not pay for additional services that you performed on me without my consent.”

[mo91982]

Mar 8, 2018 16:05:42 GMT -5 vamoose said:

Why in the world did you pay? “I booked the $135 service. I will not pay for additional services that you performed on me without my consent.”

There was nothing I could do - she said she would only give me the money back for the extra bowls of color and simply said sorry about the website pricing and I always use olaplex so it's an extra charge. Basically kept making up excuses. She said that the website pricing is inaccurate and they are just starting prices. Never been ripped off so bad in my life. 

[So_Fetch]

yelp that shiz. and if she shares your pics on social media, I would comment on them and mention how shady she is.
That's super shady. She should honor the website pricing.

[vamoose]

Mar 8, 2018 16:40:21 GMT -5 mo91982 said:

Mar 8, 2018 16:05:42 GMT -5 vamoose said:

Why in the world did you pay? “I booked the $135 service. I will not pay for additional services that you performed on me without my consent.”

There was nothing I could do - she said she would only give me the money back for the extra bowls of color and simply said sorry about the website pricing and I always use olaplex so it's an extra charge. Basically kept making up excuses. She said that the website pricing is inaccurate and they are just starting prices. Never been ripped off so bad in my life. 

Did she swipe your credit card and charge an amount you didn’t agree to? If so, I would dispute with your credit card. It sounds like maybe you were caught off gaurd and let her charge your card and signed? If the later, then I’d probably take it as a learning experience.

[amandakisser]

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to charge a price that is more than the one listed. So if she listed the service as $130 then she needs to charge $130 and THEN fix her mistake.

Otherwise I agree with the others - put up a poor review on yelp and never go back to her.

[eb777888]

Yes, I'd definitely put it on Yelp!

[dancelnow]

It's too late now to get your money back, you should have disputed there. However I would be very specific in my social media/Yelp postings about her scams.

[TheSeaward]

Mar 8, 2018 16:40:21 GMT -5 mo91982 said:

Mar 8, 2018 16:05:42 GMT -5 vamoose said:

Why in the world did you pay? “I booked the $135 service. I will not pay for additional services that you performed on me without my consent.”

There was nothing I could do - she said she would only give me the money back for the extra bowls of color and simply said sorry about the website pricing and I always use olaplex so it's an extra charge. Basically kept making up excuses. She said that the website pricing is inaccurate and they are just starting prices. Never been ripped off so bad in my life. 

you should not have paid and disputed on the spot

[ellebebold]

You should have disputed on the spot.

[treedimensional]

Wait, this was for a root retouch? That is a tiny area. How long were your roots? Normally there is no extra chemical needed if your roots are 1/2" or less. This doesn't sound right at all.