When I decided to look for somewhere to get skin tags removed, I found Laser Creations and was…read moreexcited by all the five-star reviews. It seemed like the perfect place - no pain, great service, kind people - so even though it was very far from my home in Moreno Valley, I asked my husband and kids for a Groupon from Laser Creations for my birthday. When I called to set up the appointment, they were very kind and professional. I was nervous about going, so I looked up the driving directions the night before and saw it would take 1.5 hours to get there. I asked my friend to drive me (I've been on some medication that makes me dizzy and driving so far on my own wasn't a good idea) and she picked me up 2 hours before my appointment.
As we drove, my heart sank because the traffic was terrible and the driving directions kept adding time to our arrival. I also had to stop to use the bathroom because my bladder isn't the same after having four kids. :( When we stopped, I called Laser Creations and left a message about my potential late arrival (at that time it was showing we'd be 6 min late). We got closer, but the traffic was terrible. We were finally around the corner, but were stopped at the train tracks. I called again so they would know I didn't just skip out on the appointment (it was 20 min after my appointment at that time) and I could tell they were frustrated by my lateness by the way they responded. They told me the numbing cream they'd be using for the skin tags needed 30 minutes to be effective, and I was "cutting into that time" by being late. When I hung up, I told my friend I would likely need to reschedule because of how late it was and apologized that she'd driven me all that way for nothing.
When we arrived, it took me a minute to find the door, and when I tried it, it wouldn't open. I don't know if it's because it was heavy, or if I pulled/pushed the wrong way, but I couldn't get it to open, so I called again. They sounded upset that I couldn't figure it out and sent someone to fetch me from the elevator lobby. She rather sarcastically and dramatically gestured at the door as if I was stupid and hadn't seen it there. I said "Yes, ma'am, I did try that door but I couldn't get it to open, I don't know why." She huffed and led me quickly through the hallway, straight past the reception area and into a treatment room. I apologized for being late, trying to explain what had happened, but she spoke over me and said the timing for the numbing cream to work had passed and I wouldn't get the effect of it. Then she asked how many tags I'd wanted removed, even though I'd established that when I set up the appointment, and then frustratedly called to the other woman with how many I needed done as if I was a burden.
I was crying by this point because I literally have never felt so under attack by strangers before. They both said something about why should I be crying, they're fun, nice people, I should see their reviews online. And I tried to say "Yes, that's why I picked you and drove so far because your reviews looked amazing" but they kept talking over me, lecturing me about having to make other customers wait because of my tardiness. When I finally was able to speak to tell them that I wasn't expecting special consideration and that I'd planned to ask to reschedule, but they'd rushed me in here and then lectured me and scolded me for crying, they seemed to backpedal and said they'd be happy to reschedule me. At that point, I said I didn't feel comfortable getting services done there and wanted a refund. Then I left.
I was crying in the car, trying to explain to my friend what had gone on when one of the ladies came out of the building and just stood there. I wondered why she couldn't let me just cry in peace, and my friend took offense on my behalf and calmly went over and told the lady that it wasn't good to treat people that way and that we'd already felt badly about being late and wanted to reschedule and they didn't need to be rude to me. She told my friend "You weren't in the room, you don't know what was said." To which my friend replied, "Are you calling my friend a liar then?" She again backpedaled and said they'd be happy to reschedule me, but my friend politely said we'd not be coming back here.
I think this all could have been professionally and politely handled if they had just kindly introduced themselves when I arrived (neither introduced themselves to me or welcomed me to the clinic) and said "Usually when people arrive this late, we recommend rescheduling so the numbing cream can work effectively and make it all a smoother experience." or even just waited for me to make that suggestion myself. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. From all their reviews, it looks like my experience here could have been amazing and I am sorry I didn't get to have that. I just want others to be aware that it doesn't always go that route.
