A 61-year-old maintenance worker experienced a shocking bill of $1,771 at a hair salon in Yishun after intending to get a simple haircut and dye. On February 5, he visited the salon located along Yishun St 71, where, during the dyeing process, staff suggested a treatment for his scalp issues, which he consented to without knowing the total cost.
Feeling rushed due to a dying phone and other customers waiting, he paid $941 upfront, which covered various services, including haircuts, coloring, and treatment. Once home, he reconsidered the situation and felt he had been misled, leading him to consult with his family about the charges.

His niece, who works in the hair industry, deemed the salon’s practices unjust and accompanied him back to confront the owner. The man had also used $95 in CDC vouchers towards the services, but the salon claimed they hadn’t received that amount.

He insisted that he only wanted to pay for services actually rendered on that day, totaling $180, and demanded a refund for the excess payment. The dispute escalated, resulting in police mediation and a formal complaint to the Consumers Association of Singapore.

In her defense, the salon owner asserted that the man was aware of the total charges when he agreed to the packages. She noted that he had mentioned his regular grooming habits, prompting the staff to present the package deal. She maintained that although they hadn’t received the voucher amount immediately, it arrived the following day.

The owner described the confrontation as aggressive, claiming threats to her business were made, which led her to involve the police. She stated that while a refund was not possible, the man could exchange the money already spent for products or return for another haircut, despite concerns about his comfort in the salon.