Competition watchdog investigates HairFun Salons for unfair practices

The company received similar complaints under a different name.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) is investigating HairFun Salons for unfair trade practices.

CCCS made unannounced visits at three “HairFun” salons operating in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Toa Payoh Central and Tampines Central for suspected unfair trade practice

The investigations began after  the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) reffered the case to CCCS after HairFun Salons failed to respond to an invitation to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (“VCA”) to cease any unfair trade practices and refund affected consumers

Complaints received by include practices such as the targeting and exploitation of elderly consumers, concealing payment amounts during NETS transactions, charging significantly higher prices without prior agreement, and billing consumers for unwanted treatments or packages without their clear consent. 

Attempts by CASE to resolve the issues with the management of HairFun Salons were unsuccessful, with CASE continuing to receive such complaints between September 2023 and January 2024.

Meanwhile, investigations by CCCS revealed that the HairFun Salons had previously operated under the “Scissor & Comb” business name. From 2018 to 2022, CASE received complaints about Scissor & Comb pertaining to billing consumers for unwanted treatments or packages without their explicit consent. 

In the course of its unannounced visits, CCCS exercised powers under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 and obtained information and documents at the respective HairFun Salons. The director of the operator of HairFun Salons was also issued a CCCS notice to produce information and documents

The HairFun Salons have been placed on CASE’s Company Alert List, a list of companies against which CASE has received consumer complaints. CCCS and CASE urge consumers to check the list before entering into consumer transactions with them.