do hairdressers have to display their prices?

[suzieblooz]

I'm asking this on behalf of my mum who went to a new hairdressers today for a cut and blowdry. There was no prices displayed on the window or in the shop but she reckoned she'd be about £28.(which is about the upper end of average prices around here) She was shocked to be charged £49.50 :o She paid it without making a fuss, but surely they should legally have to display their prices somewhere where they can clearly be seen?
I did ask her why she didn't ask the price at the time of booking, she said ''It didn't look that posh I thought it'd be ok''

[Bookworm]

I'm not certain, but I don't think they have to, no. Many tradesmen don't, if you think about it, as it could be argued that prices will vary depending on the size of the job or what needs to be done...

TBH, even if they had to, the fact she accepted the contract by getting her hair cut means that she would have little resort anyway apart from reporting them to TS.

[mrsfoot]

Hi Suzie

Unfortunately hairdressers do not need to display prices although lots do to stop this kind of event happening.

Advice to maybe check price before you attend the salon

[raydetinu]

Sorry, but would have been sensible to ask first! Usually NEW businesses offer discounts when they first open. IMO I dont think they do have display any prices, as it will depend on what type of hair you have and what excacly you want done.

[suzieblooz]

Thanks for the replies. I do agree it would be wise to ask first but that's my mother at her best The couple of hairdressers I've been to always had a price list either in the window or on the wall. I'll tell her to go to the barbers next time

[Zamzara]

Under the old common law, the bill would have been unenforceable.

However one of the Sale of Goods Acts changed the situation so that when no price is agreed, a 'reasonable' price must be paid. Whether £49.50 is reasonable is debatable.

[wino]

My hairdressers have a price list on the window. I went last week for a cut & blow and was charges £2 more than the price in the window. When I asked about it I was told there was a £1 carge if they used conditioner, 50p for hairspray and 50p for some syrum they had used.
I handed over the money but said that I was sorry I couldn't leave a tip as the extra amount had left me short

[Bookworm]

Originally Posted by suzieblooz

I do agree it would be wise to ask first but that's my mother at her best

I know what you mean, I used to have one of those as well.

[suzieblooz]

Trouble is, day by day I'm turning into my mother. No matter how hard I try to fight it! I had an argument with my daughter the other day that mirrored one I had with my Mum at 17, and shock, horror I found myself repeating what my mum said to me, even though at the time I thought she was out of touch and old fashioned.

[tomterm8]

I honestly don't think you have much recourse unless you were willing to go to court, and I think that would be a waste of time.

Ech, always ask the price.

In the case of the people who charged £2 more, I would pay them the agreed price, give them my name and address, and tell them to take me to court for the rest. Then, if they tried anything further, I'd sick trading standards onto them!

[wino]

Originally Posted by tomterm8

I'd sick trading standards onto them!

EEEEWWWWWHHHHH!!!!!

[tomterm8]

[gyzmo]

Just to confirm there is no legal obligation. The only obligation relates to those whom teh price marking order is directed at. Hairdressers are not one of them!