Hairdresser refund - Consumer rights in services

Hi all,

I'd like to ask whether anybody knows how the Swiss legislature works when it comes to consumer protection when purchasing services. Specifically in my situation, I received a terrible service at a hair salon (cut all my hair off, dyed the wrong colour, took 2ice as long as necessary), but they keep refusing to refund my money. I had no option to refuse the full payment on spot (not sure it's legal but mostly, I was held hostage by my deposit which was higher then the actual cost of the service). All they're offering is another service I do not want ('fixing' the colour in a way that won't fix it & free haircut with the same stylist in the future). Obviously, this situation cannot be 'fixed' as I cannot grow 4 months worth of hair overnight (we're not talking cutting extra 4cm off of long hair, what I am left with is a veeeery short and uneven pixie).

I have contacted the Federal Consumer Affairs Burreau who didn't provide any information other than referring me to Coiffure Suiss - a 'hairdressers guild' so to say. However, they're saying they do not deal with customers protection and their function is purely administrative.

Any tips would be helpful, as this disaster cost me 169CHF for the service, another 200 to get it fixed elsewhere, and 170chf in half a days wages as I ended up having to take half a day off (my original after work appointment got lost in their system and had to be rescheduled mid day, which would have been fine if the cut & colour on short hair didn't take 4 hours).

Thank you

Hairdressers in Switzerland are very professional. You must have seen how much was being cut off in the mirror

Anyway in most civilised countries hairdressers have to be insured by law. Not sure you are for real.

I donโ€™t if I take off my glasses ๐Ÿ˜‚

But then I do tell in advance how much shorter I want it to be

That's why I don't go to hairdressers. I dye my hair at home and rather than having a hairdo, I have a hair don't.

I haven't dyed my own hair for 35 years now! There are chemicals in home dyes that aren't in the professional salon ones. I also trust my hairdresser more than myself

I guess I didn't know that. I use Garnier Olia, and it leaves my hair feeling in better condition than before I used it. Hairdressers are just so expensive here. And when mine needs a trim, I have my hubby do it.

To the OP... I think most people have had at least one bad experience at the hair salon. I took my son in once and, without asking me first, the woman made shave markings on the side of his head that made him look like Vanilla Ice. This might be one of those things where you can complain to the manager about it but not much else. I hope your hair grows back out quickly.

Hairdressing and good hair products are my one indulgence. I was bald for a year when I had chemo so I like being pampered for a couple of hours

I thought you said it could not be fixed.... since it obviously could be fixed and you decide to go else where to have it fixed... the expense is your doing and your problem.

Perhaps by "fixed" the OP meant they had their hair in a bag and consulted another salon to have it stuck back on

I think what she means is clear.

Before the thread completely derails, let me try and answer the question.

I don't think you have much choice in getting the money back (and this is not unusual in other countries as well because the service has been delivered). Taking the legal route would be sub-optimal and expensive. Maybe avail of the offer they have made. Else chalk this up to a learning experience and avoid going back. Hope this helps. Sorry for your experience.

Whats the name of the hairdresser?

I don't know why people groaned

And OP paid a deposit? Seriously?

I liked the Federal Consumer Affairs Burreau bit.

I've never heard of giving a deposit for a haircut. That's really odd. I have been told in advance an estimate of the cost, and asked if that was okay - presumably creating a verbal contract that I'll pay.

I've had bad color jobs, it happens especially when you have red undertones in your hair. I've had less-than-ideal haircuts too, but I've never just let them do whatever until the end. If I see it's not going the way I want, I stop them. Even when I was blind without my glasses I could tell whether the cut was going the way I wanted.

As for compensation for taking a half a day off, surely OP is joking?

I learn something new every day. Apparently there IS a Federal Consumer Affairs Bureau in Switzerland.

OP, you probably don't have a leg to stand on. They offered you a new service for free and you declined. I understand why, but they did try to offer a solution. You could try writing a registered letter to them expressing your dismay and asking for the 169 back, but I think you're dreaming if you think they'll cover your work time and the other hairdresser.

Also who charges 200 bucks to fix a pixie cut? Find some more reputable hairdressers!

I don't know what I'm doing in a hairdressing thread, but a deposit? Seriously?

Yet another newbie thread which is totally troll...

...... on a Friday though.

Newbie is either a quick learner or a reincarnation.

I'm only released from the handcuffs on hairstylist's chair after paying. No need for a deposit.

Quite understandable if you told the hair dresser how much shorter your hair should be, probably in a language foreign to that hair dresser, maybe aided by some sign language. It was misinterpreted as the final length.