I HAD been going to this salon since I moved back to Katy in April. Faithfully, I went every 2-3 weeks and spent no less than $150 per visit, always tips my nail artist a minimum of $10 each.
I have always bragged about the artist work and the overall design of the salon; and, although I knew the prices were higher than most, I continued to speak highly of the salon because I loved the work that was done on my nails.
A little before Halloween I had black dip done with a matte finish in a coffin shape. 60 for dip with a manicure, 10 for matte, 5 for coffin. $75 + a $14 tip, so $89 I HAPPILY paid. However, if I'm paying $89 for dip nails with a salon minimum 10 day guarantee, then if a nail breaks I'm going to call the salon.
On day 5, my nail broke in the corner but I just used my own black paint and touched it up because I knew they'd be busy for Halloween. By days 6 &7, my nails were lifting and when I'd run my fingers through my hair they were snagging. With that, I called the salon and asked the receptionist if I could book with my stylist (Millie) and PAY FOR A REFILL to address the lifting and PAY to get the chip fixed by removing and adding a new tip (I use my natural nails but it was cracked so it needed a tip). The receptionist looked into my account and said, "oh, it's been under 10 days so if you come in we can look at your nails and possibly fix them for free bc they shouldn't have broke." I was so surprised and happy, and I went in that same evening and did just that except the male manager (who is the owner's brother) did my nails.
But, they used the same black powder and matte finish on top. The same day after the fix, a nail chipped again. I decided to put a spot of black sharpie and then went about my business. This time, two and three days later and my nails were literally crumbling on the sides and lifting. As mentioned above, I overlay my natural nail with the dip powder so when the nails were crumbling on the sides, it was not only compromising the shape of the nails that I paid extra for, but compromising my real nails and if I filed them to smooth it out then my nails would be filed away thinner and thinner, and I can't wear super pointed nails for my profession.
I called back on day three and spoke to a different receptions and literally so politely explained what happened. I said, "I believe there is something wrong with the black dip power and matte overlay. I think one of the products, or both, are expired bc my dip powder has been crumbling and I've been going here since April and that never happened before. Can I make an appointment with Amy since Millie is out of town and come in today?" She said yes and I drove to the salon.
Unbeknownst to me, the manager pulled me aside to look at my nails and said that the receptionist told him that I WAS TALKING CRAP ABOUT HIM AND THE SALON!!! And she had the audacity to tell him that I said his work was poor and so was Millie's and that I want free nails!!!!!!!!!
I was SHOCKED and apologized profusely for literally something that I did NOT say nor do, and he said "it must have been a miscommunication Khelse, it's all love, it's okay." I said "well it wasn't a miscommunication because those words never came out of my mouth," and I told him that if he records phone calls at the salon then I am 110% comfortable with him pulling that call.
The manager does my nails again but this time we switch colors and we don't use the matte overlay. At the end of the appointment he then tells me that I am "NOT WELCOME BACK to the salon" because he "doesn't feel like their nail techs can live up to [my] standards and liking."
My jaw literally hit the floor. I, ever so stupidly, apologized again and again for things that I didn't say and begged him to reconsider. I said I've been going here for 6 months, twice a month, and I love their work so much that I have someone who literally flys in from a different state to get their nails done monthly bc of how much I bragged on them!!! He then said "ok you can come to get a pedicure," and repeated his other two reasons several times.
At this point, I was so hurt and insulted that he insinuated that I just wanted to abuse their people's efforts and time for a free service that I was EXPECTING TO AND WILLING TO pay for both times. It was their decision to tell me their 10 day rule and their judgment call upon inspecting my nails for damage to determine they needed to be fully replaced!
So, I said "ok, I'm sorry you feel that way," and left politely without making a scene (which honestly props to me because that was embarrassing, people could hear him!) and I CRIED MY EYES OUT. read more