Advice please on how to tell my hairdresser of 15 years I want a change

Advice please!

I'd just make an appointment somewhere that suits you. You are a customer not a close friend. If she is winding down I'm sure there are lots of old customers she no longer sees.

Just go somewhere else. You don't need to explain.

This has happened to me too, all the same circumstances!
I booked a consultation with my closest salon last week and I’ve had a cut and colour since. They are half the price but I have felt a bit upset about not going to my normal place but I’m a bit sentimental.
We need to embrace change x

You have stated the three real ways of telling them.

Say you don’t want to drive so far now you have moved and you just can’t find an appointment to suit you. I’m sure they will understand .

You will find somewhere closer to home and a change is as good as a rest as they say.

I haven’t told my old place btw. I’ve moved on 😂

Do what JaneJudge did - just go elsewhere. Your old Hairdresser does not need to know . Good luck

I have a similar problem to you happilyretired .

Your first 2 points apply to me. My hairdresser crams her hours into 4 days but like you they are not always convenient for me. Some of the days I can manage but she is always running late which is very annoying as she is such a chatterbox. She never apologises or acknowledges me until she’s ready for my appointment.

I would like to change to one of the other 4 stylists in the salon but how do I do this?

I assume you usually book another appointment when she has finished doing your hair, and it’s this that you are worrying about?

Why not say, “I’m not going to book another appointment yet, I’m finding it not so convenient now I’ve moved further away, and you aren’t open as many days. So thank you, but I’ll leave it for now”.

Then look for someone else, but your option is there to go back if nothing suitable.

I’m the same, would agonise over these things.

Try other salons in conjunction with less regular visits to your salon, citing difficulties in getting appointments and driving in the dark. You may find other salons equally difficult, so try before you announce you are leaving.

I moved about two years ago I didn’t offer an explanation just said I couldn’t book at the moment as I wasn’t sure of my free days
I made a new appointment with a new hairdresser who was just as good and nearly half the price !
We are paying for a service your choice where to go

Just tell them- they are working for you, not you for them.

I am doing the same with my podiatrist
I have been with him for 15 years he is very nice but he keeps putting his already high price up, and it’s an hours round trip with problem parking too.
I made an appointment with a new podiatrist within 5 minutes drive to me who charged half his price and I was really happy with what she did.
Really there is no need to say anything to your hairdresser.

Why do you have to tell them anything. Just make an appointment with another hairdresser, and never go bacck...or call and tell them that now you've moved house you have to find a stylist closer to where you live . Easy!

They have had your custom for 15 years and they are running the business down. You could just drop them a line thanking them for the good service you have enjoyed for so many years. Now however you are looking for another hairdresser closer to home but you wish them a good retirement and all good wishes. End of matter.

Grandmadinosaur

I have a similar problem to you happilyretired .

Your first 2 points apply to me. My hairdresser crams her hours into 4 days but like you they are not always convenient for me. Some of the days I can manage but she is always running late which is very annoying as she is such a chatterbox. She never apologises or acknowledges me until she’s ready for my appointment.

I would like to change to one of the other 4 stylists in the salon but how do I do this?

When I wanted to do this I took the easy way of booking with one of the others on the day my regular stylist didn't work, saying that was the only day I could make. After two or three times they expect you to stay with the new one.

You don’t have to tell them. You just don’t make another appointment and go somewhere else. She isn’t a friend, you are a customer buying a service.

15 years is a long time so unlike others, I'd want to acknowledge that but still go elsewhere. I'd probably thank her, mention distance and availability of appointments for not rebooking, leave a tip and wave goodbye with a smile. My hairdresser feels like a friend but the salon is on a steep hill and parking is not close so we've already laughed about me getting too decepit to get to her and one day having to find another hairdresser. However I don't have a problem in giving feedback on her work, she's expensive so customer input is part of the deal!

I’d be honest to a point and say you now find the 10 mile too much and will find somewhere local and wish her well.

Don’t tell them - just make an appointment elsewhere.

You are a customer and no longer local and can choose to go wherever you like.

My hairdresser of 50 years has just retired from a national chain of salons - I took her a card and fizz. She has recommended another stylist, but I’m considering a change, as it’s a 50 mile round trip.

If you feel you want to tell them ( and I understand that) simply tell them that since you moved you find the driving too much. Thank them for the last 15 years ! and good luck in finding a new salon.

Exactly

What about this then! …. My hairdresser has dumped me apparently because of family stuff which is nothing whatsoever to do with except that they are relatives who I don’t talk about🤷‍♀️ I was dumbfounded!

Tell her that you prefer not to drive there now. When you go there take a bunch of flowers and a card to thank her for all she has done for you over the years.