BUYER BEWARE. This place is the absolute most nightmare of a scam I have EVER fallen for. I was a customer once a year and a half ago when I first moved here, had an awful experience. I chalked it up to perhaps a rough day for the business, so last week I gave them a second chance and I don't have words for how frustrated I am.
Let me just preface this by saying, I have NEVER left a negative review anywhere about anything. I write thank you letters to companies for excellent service, it's just in my personality. But this place.... This place needs to be called out.
A few things:
The staff is not polite at all. The building itself is dirty. One of the men will belittle and criticize you for everything, from your posture, to telling you you're not allowed to look at the tv, and your body language, and forces you to stare at his tacky religious shrine, instead. . He makes himself known very clearly by the overwhelming amount of Jesus tributes at his station and on his body (i love Jesus for the record, but there's a difference between honoring Him and exploiting Him horrifically and in a place of business, I feel there should be a clear and professional line). He did this to me at my first visit and I was pretty surprised, though I'm an adult and let it go in one ear and out the other. However, when I returned last week with my eleven year old daughter, he doubled down on this with her, ruining her first manicure experience and reducing her to years after we left. He also clearly thinks he's God's gift to the nail world and women, lauding his work afterward and repeatedly making statements about how amazing he is and what great work he does (and honestly, he's given both of us the worst manicures we've ever had in our lives, when he worked on me, he cut my cuticles to the point of blood and every nail was uneven and jagged not to mention missing polish in several cracks and crevices. I could do a better job with my eyes closed).
Last week when we were there, I got a pedicure. The woman who did mine was kind enough as far as the stand offish demeanor of the staff goes, however, she got incredibly frustrated with me several times when I asked her for the simple length I wanted, ignored my requests about it, and when I asked her not to trim my cuticles she totally ignored me and cut them all down anyway to the point where several bled. And I limped away from that pedicure honestly, I've never felt so hurt after letting someone touch my feet. There was nothing gentle about this service. When I arrived home I had to use my own tools to fix literally everything she did, which honestly wasn't much, since I asked for a watered down pedicure with no polish, no filing, no cuticles, just two false nails on my big toes that had broken down badly and a quick rinse.
But beyond the disgusting artistry and shockingly awful customer care, the most infuriating aspect of this salon is the blatant price scamming you will suffer if you go here. On the phone, they will quote you one price. When you arrive, you will see another posted on the wall. But when you ask for what you'd like, they will tell you they "cannot do that" for some vague reason, that there's something wrong with your nails and you need more. They did this to me twice, and also my daughter. I was quoted $45 on the phone for both my daughter and I this last time. When we arrived, the price went up to $55. When all was said and done, my daughter got a very simple gel manicure that wound up costing $55 "they said" while telling me over and over he'll cut us a deal and "only charge $45 but don't tell anyone" (saying this loudly in front of other customers, so it was hardly believable as an act of kindness for just us); and I got a mild foot rinse and only two toe extensions they told me would cost $10. When we left, our bill magically came to $100. I was choking on my anger and surprise so badly that it was all I could do to even offer them a mild tip, though it was nothing compared to the generous tipper I always am, yet I believe in karma and couldn't bring myself to totally stiff them. I was so enraged I had to exit the shop immediately before I lost my temper and will NEVER be returning. This business is an absolute embarrassment to Manchester, VT, and a clear and blatant pricing scam in every way possible afar and apart from the horrible service and poor craftsmanship. Do NOT waste your money. There are several shops in Bennington just a short drive away that you will fare much, much better at. If I can prevent just one person from going through what we've been through here, then this review was worth it. read more