Last month- I booked an appointment at Ulta for my hair on a special day. Before scheduling online,…read moreI made sure to call and confirm that I wanted simple curls with volume at the scalp. I wasn't sure if I wanted any additional styling.
Over the phone, a representative told me to book the "formal event hair" service, which costs $80. However, she assured me that if I only got curls with volume and no additional styling, I would be charged $50. She emphasized booking the formal event service to secure the stylist's time, in case I decided to add more services, but she reassured me that the price would be adjusted accordingly.
Following her advice, I booked the formal event service. On the day of my appointment, I arrived with my makeup done and my hair washed. The stylist did my curls, and I decided to pin one side, but in the end, I only got curls. The entire process took just 30 minutes since I have very thin hair.
I then asked if they could help me apply lashes, so I purchased a pair at Ulta. They told me it would be an additional $11 since applying lashes would be an additional service. I agreed to the charge.
Once my hair and lashes were done, they handed me a ticket to take to the register for payment. I was charged the full $80 for the hair service, plus $11 for the lashes. I explained what I had been told over the phone, but the stylist advised me to speak to the cashier at the register.
At the register, I explained the situation to the cashier, who then called the manager. After five minutes, the manager arrived and asked me to explain everything again. I repeated the story, but they asked if I remembered the name of the person I spoke to on the phone. Unfortunately, I did not, but I showed them my phone history as proof that I had called their number on that specific day before booking.
The manager just stood in front of me, saying, Umm, umm, while speaking to someone on her walkie-talkie. At this point, I was already late for my event. I asked if they could simply adjust the price and charge me for the service I actually received. The manager responded that it was difficult and that she didn't think they could do it.
Our conversation was calm and not heated, but at that point, I didn't want to ruin my mood on my special day, so I just paid and left.
The frustrating part is, if they could easily charge me $11 for lash application service, why couldn't they adjust the price for the hair service I actually received? I only got curls, and my hair was done in just 30 minutes. $80 for that?
Come on, Ulta. You're already overcharging by at least a dollar or more on every item you sell.
You could do better but you won't!!