The stylist said it’s “standard” to include a blow-dry when colouring. Do I have to pay for something I didn’t request?
Emma, Sligo
A Not necessarily. If a salon is going to charge you for an extra service, it must make that clear beforehand.
Hairdressers are legally required under the Charges (Hairdressing) Display Order 1976 to display a full price list for all services, including any taxes.
If a blow-dry is automatically included as part of a colouring appointment, then that must be clearly stated on the price list or explained to you in advance.
The price list must also be visible either outside the salon or prominently displayed inside.
In addition, under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, businesses must provide key information before a contract is agreed, including the provider’s name, its phone number, its address, and how the total cost of the service is calculated.
If the total price can’t be calculated, customers must be informed of how the price will be calculated and any other fees or charges. Unexpected add-on charges that were not explained beforehand could be considered misleading.
If the blow-dry charge wasn’t included in the price for highlights on the price list, or if no one told you about it beforehand, you’re entitled to question it.
Start by checking the salon’s price list to see if the blow-dry is described as part of the colouring service. If it isn’t, raise the matter with the manager and ask them to explain why €45 was added.
If the salon can’t show that the charge was properly disclosed in advance, you can challenge it.
Put your complaint in writing, include your receipt and any photographs of the displayed prices, and ask for a refund.
If the salon refuses to resolve the matter, you can bring a claim through the Small Claims Procedure. But as there’s a €25 application fee, it would be best to work out a dispute over €45 with the salon.
All these options are built to be secure. Photo: Getty
‘What’s best on a banking app: standard payment, instant pay or Zippay?’
Q When transferring money on my banking app, I’m now being given a choice between a standard payment, instant payment and Zippay.
Other than speed, what’s the difference between these payment options? Are any of them safer?
Joe, Co Louth
A All three options essentially do the same job – they move money from your account to someone else’s. The real differences lie in their speed and the ease of use.
A standard payment, known as a SEPA (single euro payments area) credit transfer, is the traditional option. This payment usually arrives the next working day but can take longer if you make the payment late in the day or over a weekend. You’ll need the person’s Iban and name to make the transfer.
An instant payment is much quicker. It arrives within seconds, any time of the day or night, including weekends. Like a standard payment, you’ll need an Iban.
Zippay is the newest option. It’s an in-app mobile payment service that was introduced in March by PTSB, AIB and Bank of Ireland to make instant payments more convenient. It works in a similar way to person‑to‑person payment apps like Revolut. But instead of an Iban, you use the mobile number of your contact to send them money.
Zippay is designed for everyday uses such as splitting a bill or repaying money to a friend. It’s currently free to use. You can transfer money to any AIB, Bank of Ireland or PTSB customer, but other financial institutions are allowed to join the initiative.
Your bank sets the caps for standard and instant payments, while Zippay has a daily transfer maximum of €1,000.
All these options are built to be secure, but speed can work against you if you make a mistake.
Once a payment leaves your bank account, it may prove difficult to get it back, so it’s worth double‑checking the details and being cautious of an unexpected or apparently urgent transfer request.
Banks have built-in protections to help you; for example, before you send money using standard or instant payments, the “verification of payee” function checks the name of the person or business you’re sending money to and alerts you if it doesn’t match the bank’s records.
Zippay will show you the masked name on the account you’ve selected. For instance, if you’re paying John Smith, you’ll see that “Jo** Smi**” owns the account.
If you’re tricked into sending money (known as push payment fraud), banks will investigate and work to recover the funds where possible.
Customers also have the option to raise a complaint with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman if they’re not happy with how their case is handled.
New EU payment rules, due to come into effect in 2028, aim to give consumers further protection against push payment fraud.
Gráinne Griffin is communications director at the CCPC. Email your questions to gabrielle.monaghan@independent.ie