I have tried and tried to give this place a fair chance, at minimum more than ten visits. But after today I'm done.
The Good: It is so close my house and their hours are great. I think the prices are pretty comparable to what else is in the area and the work is well done. I've never had an issue with that.
The Bad: Today I was serviced by an apprentice. The only reason I figured this out is because the owner, Michelle, told me "she speaks little English" as soon as I hopped in the chair. I also later noticed her license hanging on the wall -- but it wasn't signed. The gal did a nice job but it raised two issues for me: (1) why am I paying top dollar to be someone's training hours? (FCC's cosmetology school charges lower rates!) and (2) she was slow as all heck -- we're talking 2 1/2 hours for a mani/pedi when certified staff were sitting around chatting. I personally have a bias against this as well. No music, no sound on the TV, me sitting there with my near-dead phone and everyone else chatting -- in their workplace for 2 1/2 hours... I just don't consider that professional behavior. I also feel that I am always pushed for an "upsell". I can't ever just get what I come in for unless I fight for it and argue that I really only want what I said initially. I also have some concerns about cleanliness. There are smears on the walls and stations, the floor is wearing thin and I watched my apprentice dump my mani-bowl with water & marbles back into the master bowl with no rinse, sterilization or anything. And I know it was just full of water because I checked it out later when I was scrubbing my hands. I also watched another tech go in the bathroom for quite some time (I don't want to know) but when she came out, she didn't wash her hands, just rinsed them with water for a few seconds. Gross.
The Ugly: Today, the owner, Michelle, was trying the old "upsell" again and I asked her how much the two services would cost and she quoted me $80. Later, when I was done drying my nails and walking up to the front, she reminded me "$85. I reminded her she had told me $80. She did correct herself. I started counting out the cash and when I got to the amount that the salon was due ($80) she grabbed it off the counter and then told me to tip the apprentice. The gal was nowhere to be seen, but somewhere in the back. Michelle told me she would give it to her, make sure that she gets it. I felt really funny about that, but I started counting out that girl's money and I realized I was $5 short. I had *just* been to the bank and knew I had exactly 3 $20s, 2 $10s and 4 $5s because that's what the teller handed me and I checked it. I also had $6 leftover from change from the week. So, I pay Michelle ($80) and I pay the apprentice ($20 - she worked hard and did deserve it) and there is only $1 left in my wallet??? Where the heck is the other $5? I asked Michelle to recount the money in her hand and she says "I did". I asked her to do it again and she says again "I did". You can only stand there with your empty wallet zipper open for so long asking to recount the money yourself before you just shrug your shoulders and leave. Well, there is only one place that that $5 could be. If it was really worth it to you to be dishonest for $5, best of luck because it cost you a loyal customer and if anyone reads this I hope I spare you the headache!
P.S. You can pay for services with your credit card but all tips must be paid in cash -- this was not told to me up front and I was short on cash and got the pleasure of using their in-house ATM *with a service fee* one day -- Surprise! read more