Services Changing Quoted Price at Last Moment

Chrool on 12/09/2024 - 09:52

Wouldn't normally bother posting something like this but this situation has happened twice to me in a short amount of time.

Say you have a booking for a straightforward service that you've had to make a little while in advance or had to wait around for in person, only to be told the price quoted was the wrong price and its more than that before the service begins. What do you do? Your time is already invested and finding an alternative is just going to waste more time.

I've been in the barber's chair ready to go and they've told me it'll be another $10 after waiting 30 minutes. Another time had a booking for cat grooming under anaesthesia only to be told right as I'm handing the cat over it'll be another $200 cause they forgot to include the fact they need to run pre anaesthesia tests.

What would you do ozbargain?

Poll Options expired

  • 70
    Walk away
  • 6
    Argue
  • 3
    Just pay it
General Discussion

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 12/09/2024 - 10:09
    +1

    Being upfront with prices is the least a business can do. My local hairdresser has prices on their website, but the website is out of date, prices have changed. I know that a web designer's time isn't cheap but they really should have paid to have the website updated, or pay for a dynamic site that lets them enter their own pricing. But also, I know life is hard, running a small business is hard, remembering that your website even has prices on it is hard. Sometimes you just need to pay it and get on with your life.

    • JimmyF on 12/09/2024 - 11:43

      but the website is out of date, prices have changed.

      Are they displayed instore at least?

      • AustriaBargain on 12/09/2024 - 11:51

        Nope. But it's the only hairdresser in walking distance, it's like one block away, so meh.

  • jv on 12/09/2024 - 10:10
    +17

    What would you do ozbargain?

    I'd leave, just on principle, and never return to that business.

  • Seraphin7 on 12/09/2024 - 10:29

    On the barber, probably let it slide depending on all the other circumstances, but ultimately probably not worth my effort for $10.

    The cat one, I might be a bit more forthright based on the absolute dollar amount and the fact that omission seems like an out and out stuff up.

  • djsweet on 12/09/2024 - 10:44

    Depends. If it was a genuine mistake and it’s still a price you are happy to pay, then I’d let it go. If it’s obviously intentional deception then I’d leave and never go back.

  • Bruceflix on 12/09/2024 - 10:47
    +5

    It's a classic bait and switch. Walk away. Or pay if you want to encourage such behaviour

  • holdenmg on 12/09/2024 - 11:03
    +1

    Usually Barber charges more if hair is long. Otherwise, I'd ask…
    If you have to wait 30 mins, maybe book next time or go elsewhere.

    I didn't know Barbers groomed Cats. lol

  • FoxJump on 12/09/2024 - 11:32
    +2

    Learn to cut your own hair. Save

  • JimmyF on 12/09/2024 - 11:42

    only to be told the price quoted was the wrong price and its more than that before the service begins. What do you do?

    It will depend on the price increase and service to the outcome. But I've walked away before after jacking up the price.

    I've been in the barber's chair ready to go and they've told me it'll be another $10 after waiting 30 minutes

    $10 extra for what reason? If you asked for something special maybe. Need context.

    Another time had a booking for cat grooming under anaesthesia only to be told right as I'm handing the cat over it'll be another $200 cause they forgot to include the fact they need to run pre anaesthesia tests.

    You could ask them to split the differeance for your mistake, or just walk away. But surely they shouldn't be making quoting mistakes like this.

    Also cat grooming needing pre anaesthesia tests? WOW.

  • elgrande on 12/09/2024 - 11:44
    +3

    Another time had a booking for cat grooming under anaesthesia 

    I go under anaethesia at the barber.

  • pharkurnell on 12/09/2024 - 12:11

    Sounds like you live in a shit area with lots of scamming business'…

  • Derrick Crane on 12/09/2024 - 15:40

    Let your hair grow and euthanize the cat.

  • mboy on 12/09/2024 - 16:42

    It depends on the situation, but if I feel like I’ve been deliberately cornered after investing time and then asked to pay more, I’d probably walk away on principle, but not before making a fuss about it too. Later on I might even leave the business a negative review. It’s completely unethical - a clear attempt to squeeze more money out of me, assuming I'd be too inconvenienced to object.

    It's better than the alternative which is that I acquiesce and mentally beat myself up afterwards. I've been down that road a couple of times before.

  • plmko on 12/09/2024 - 17:43
    -1

    cat grooming under anaesthesia

    Damn, surely this is late stage capitalism.

    • wordplay on 12/09/2024 - 21:29

      the cats not gonna groom itself.

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