This past summer I went here for a pedicure prior to a vacation I was taking in Maine. I noticed then that the sanitation practices were not being practiced as they should but I was in a hurry and while I was a little grossed out I put it out of my mind and continued with the service. Most people might not have noticed that there was even an issue but I am a former cosmetologist and know what the correct sanitary practices are.
After the visit to this business I developed an infection in my foot and found it necessary to seek medical attention while on vacation. The doctor specifically asked me if I had had a pedicure recently and I responded that I had and described my experience. This was a significant issue and was quite painful. I couldn't walk by putting pressure on my foot for a number of days and it required a round of antibiotics to rid my foot of this infection. I was informed that had a not sought treatment this would have spread to a blood infection and I would have ended up in the hospital. The purpose of my vacation was to hike in the park lands, something I could not do as I was in pain and it was recommended that I keep the heel soaked and elevated.
I wrote to them for two reasons. I feel it is their responsibility to reimburse me for the medical expenses I incurred because of the service and unsanitary practices at the establishment. (The visit to the doctor was $133.00 and the medication was $41.62. The total was $174.62. ) I did not ask for, but felt it would be the appropriate thing for them to do, to reimburse me for the money I paid for the pedicure itself. I felt that it is equally important that they address those sanitary practices so that the risk of future patrons enduring such an experience is minimized.
I was pointed to a chair that was not sprayed and sanitized from the previous customer, the foot bath was drained but not washed out or sprayed with any sanitizer in between patrons. The pedicurist carried with her a basket of implements from patron to patron without washing or sanitizing them or using a packet of new/previously sanitized implements. One of the towels used during the procedure was not a clean one but recycled from the pedicurists basket of implements. The cleaning/scrubbing pad that was used for exfoliation of the dead skin around the heels was also a recycled product from a previous person as well. The pedicurist pulled out a razor that would shave the skin off my heel and I had to ask her not to use it as I've had that done before and it thinned out the skin too much. I had also learned that those are no longer allowable in the industry and shouldn't be used at all. I don't think I need to point out that these conditions and practices are inappropriate and not following guidelines set forth by their governing board. I don't think I need to point out that these practices are a breeding ground for bacteria and infections.
I wrote to them and enclosed my bills and photos of the infected area. I did not seek free services from the establishment as compensation because I am uncomfortable with receiving such services. My communication was simply about compensating me for my medical expenses and to implore them to retrain and hold their employees responsible for the sanitation practices that will keep the patrons healthy.
I received a letter back, after my second letter to them, telling me to come in and see them face to face and they would pay my expenses. When I went in there I asked for the manager by asking for a "Mr." as it was a man who was serving as the reception person the day I had my service. Turns out the manager was a woman. She asked me for my receipt for the service (this is now at least 6 months past the date of service as my first letter was never answered) and if I paid in cash or by credit. I didn't know for sure so I checked my bank statement and with no POS transaction for that establishment I must have paid in cash. I was asked where I sat and which person performed the service. The pedicurist who did it was right there in the same room at the time and I pointed her out. The manager kept speaking to others around her in another language and kept shaking her head and scowling. She finally tells me in broken English that she has no way of knowing that I went to that establishment and that "management" won't honor my request because she doesn't recognize me.
I would not recommend this place because they do not use proper sanitary practices. They do not treat their customers with the respect they are due and they do not honor their word. What happened to me after the first visit was bad enough with the pain the infection caused in my foot but when I tried to address the situation with them I was treated very, very poorly. Fast and cheap service doesn't equate to quality or sanitary. Beware! read more
