whom I rescued said he'd give me a free makeover if I visit him in Claywitch. Still charged me full price!!!

I have the impression that Geralt doesn't like being tricked so there should be an option to kill the barber. Hehe.

It's a petty amount, but just saying. Also I haven't noticed any reward from other NPC's in distress you rescue.

That's weird. He always gives me free haircuts. Usually they all give you some kind of little reward the first time you visit them. I don't think I've been shafted by anyone. I think the merchant you can recue that also lives in that town gives you 20-30 gold.

Yes, I also had to pay 5 crowns for it...

I think these "rewards" are bugged, I've saved a number of blacksmiths etc who say that they will reward me but most times I get nothing.

Some blacksmiths don't give you money but they offer discounts but yes, some "rewards" seem not very rewarding at all: theres also a merchant that is later stationed at crowd perch if sou saved him and his associate. He says you can have a discount from his wares and that he has interesting new stuff... however then he only offers three things that are total crap ;-)