It had been through a tough week for me personally and I decided to get my nails done at a new place to try it out and give me a boost.
I arrived for my appointment at 4.25. My appointment was for 4.30 and I did not want to be late so I assumed 5 minutes would be time enough. For some reason this was seen as a negative by the girl at reception and I was scolded for being early and asked to wait. I can't understand how being 5 minutes early resulted in a rude response from the receptionist but given what followed I feel this may be common practice in this establishment.
At 4.35 pm I met my nail artist and she asked me what I had on my nails. I said it was not shellac or gel, but that it was a 2 week nail polish that stays on longer. She stated I should have mentioned when booking that I had nails to take off as it takes 10 - 15 minutes on top of my 45 minute manicure and will cost me 10 euro extra and she did not have time for this. I'd like to point out that this was done in a very blunt and rude manner. I understand the need for clarity but surely this does not grant a staff member permission to be obnoxious to a paying customer before they have even started the process?
She left me and proceeded to go to reception to check if she could fit me in for my 45 minute appointment and told me to sit down and wait. She came back and sat down and said nothing to me. I had to ask if she could fit me in. She said she had no choice, which were her words not mine, and began to berate me again for not informing the staff in advance that I had polish on, and that I was taking up her time and she had another client after me.
I said that I understood this and that I was a new customer and had never been there before so I had no idea, but I would do so in future.
This went on for the duration of the appointment. I sat there while she continued to scold me for my wrong doings like I was a bold child. It got to a point where I had to ask her to stop as she was actually upsetting me. Her attitude was very intimidating and I have never experienced such negativity in any customer situation in my life.
I tried to make small talk after this point saying "its very busy here" highlighting something positive about the store, as people kept walking in and out and she stated "yes so you see why every minute counts for me" in a horrible tone. I felt like I had come in to this persons workplace and completely ruined her day. And she was not short of highlighting this. It had now gotten to a point where I was ready to walk out. This woman upset me to a point where I felt bullied. They had a chip on their shoulders that day and let loose on me.
In the end, ironically, the appointment took 35 minutes. I was meant to have a 45 minute manicure plus the time to take of my nail varnish. This 35 minutes in total was including the removal part. I was still informed that I had to pay extra for the removal and was sent on my way as just another nameless, faceless passer by. I by no means wanted to become best friends with my nail artist, but she certainly wanted to make me feel very badly.
I was so shaken leaving the store that it left me seething. No one deserves to be treated like this, under any circumstances, especially over something so menial and tedious that amounted to absolutely nothing in the end for the nail artist. She was completely out of order.
I would like to express also that as a new customer, I had no idea about any policy to inform the receptionist/booking agent that I had nail varnish on beforehand. I had not seen any warning of this on their website when making the booking. In fact, I have since looked at the website and there is absolutely no message anywhere that says I should have informed the salon before coming in. Considering the lecture I was given by the salon I think they should have this stated on their website before giving out to excited new clients.
The name Fifth Avenue, in the New York sense, epitomizes prestige, luxury and class. Nothing could have been further from the above, from what I experienced.
This is not the place to go to feel at ease, relaxed, pampered etc. If I could give no stars at all I would.
After seeing other people's review on this place I really hope they change their attitude and treat clients better. I wish I had known all of this before stepping foot inside this salon. read more