I held off on writing this, because my experience at this place was so triggering, I just knew he (the owner) would have something "smart" to say after my experience as well which I wasn't ready to handle. The experience was so awful, triggering me so bad, that had me leave in tears and shaking with the way he had talked and looked at me like I was the most ignorant person alive. For reference, this is the FIRST time I've been triggered since my abuser from YEARS ago, so he did a number.
Preface- I go in to get my nails done with my mother, 3 days before my wedding. I have an exact picture in mind, I show the lady the picture of exactly what I want and go through the motions. She asks the length, I say okay, in assumptions that it was the same as the photo, since that is what I had asked for it to look like. She continues on my nails, is quiet (she didn't speak English- had someone come over multiple times to communicate for her- okay no problem). As she's finishing my nails, I feel like it's so off, but maintain nice, because if you know me- I've just always accepted what I got and moved on and try to maintain positive. I asked about the rhinestones and it still didn't look good, so passed on those. I showed her the photo of the initials and how I like it- in the photo above and she immediately does non cursive ( I say nothing because in knowing she doesn't speak English BUT does know what I asked for, that maybe she just can't write cursive- so stay quiet and positive again).. I tipped her 15, because it's the right thing to do then move on to my pedicure with another lady.
Pedicure was alright, but was dismissed when I notified her that my toes still felt wet and if she was sure if it was okay that I leave. She said yes it's dry no problem (yes I know nail polish dries on top quicker than bottom, but she knew better and ignored my concern). Yet, trust her and say okay and tip her, then carefully put my shoes on and leave. I go home and second I take off my shoes, a clump comes off my toe and the other foot just looked completely lumpy. Okay, no problem- I calmly called the place told Kim, the front desk lady what happened and she confirmed that I can come in the next day to get it fixed.
Meanwhile, I am kicking myself because I absolutely hate my nails. Could I have said something before? Yes, I should have. Because, apparently being nice gets you no where. But that is that and lesson learned. I figured I'm going to get my toes fixed, that I will bring it up there and hope for the best. It was my wedding day, why not get what I deserve- which is what I asked for? Definitely couldn't have them in my wedding photos.
After my sister had gone in to try to shield me, since I was upset, I ended up going in. I walk in and immediately want to talk to Kim (complete gem). I start talking to her and the owner gets involved, I tried explaining to him what had happened and why I was upset, as he's being who he is, I ask him for some compassion by saying that my rehearsal was the next day and wedding two days away. He had looked not only like I was the most ignorant person he had seen, but to top it off, immediately treated me as if I wanted to take advantage of the situation in the way he talked to me. All I wanted was some compassion and a solution. Didn't even ask for money back, but nails fixed. Even if I had to pay a little more to do so, I would have. I was desperate. As I'm asking for compassion and talking with tears in my eyes, he's still staring at me big eyed like an idiot and says "ARE YOU DONE" "ARE YOU DONE" in the MOST condescending way. I was in complete shock. This is when I knew nothing was getting solved and that I needed to leave. The way he talked to me and looked at me put me back in the darkest place I was before with my ex abuser that I never wanted to be in again. I didn't even know I had that in me to cry like that and be so triggered. BUT he did it! I was so upset for letting him get to me. I was so high in emotions from the wedding and family that I know it didn't help how sensitive I was. That's when I chose to leave, I repeated how disrespectful he was and lack of compassion, how he treated me as a customer so badly and left in tears. At that point even if I was "done yet". Had he even come up with a solution, I wouldn't have even stayed because I could not be around or support a human as disgusting as that.
Good news though, same day I went to a place called Mango nails, that actually did what I asked for, and fixed my toes. Had I spent more than needed- yes. But, was happy I did- owners/ management were so nice and welcoming! And quality was fantastic. I will never support a place like this again. Just pending the "gaslighting" that is about to happen on the responses, because I know it is coming. I didn't get one apology in person and don't expect it now. I expect blame, excuses and no accountability from my experience. I just want to warn anyone who supports read more