I have been to this location for grooming before and always had a good experience. This time however I don't know what to make out of this experience. I should have known from the unfriendly vibe I got when I first arrived. When my groomer finally arrived she didn't have smile, didn't have friendly greeting but I didn't mind at that point thinking maybe that's just her normal demeanor and it didn't bother me until everything else added up at the end.
Anyways my 12 lbs Bichon poodles comes in normally with some matte on her legs (she hates me brushing her legs so I am well aware she's more knotted and matte there) but her body is usually decent just long. The groomer asked with length I wanted and I said the 1/2 inch, and with the face I don't like the poodle face cut but rather keep her more Bichon and rounded in the face...she said ok to the face but she advised that the leg areas will have to go the shortest as its very matte. I said ok, try your best. She went on to tell me that, the legs will be really short compared to the body as I requested 1/2 inch. I said its ok do your best to blend. She then asked again what length I wanted....I said the 1/2 for the body...we went back and forth again about her legs being matte and need to be trimmed to the shortest. Im again nodding and said, ok, you are the professionals you do what you need.
At that point I was NOT mad or angry or frustrated. I said I get it, just go ahead and do it knowing that she will be longer in the body and shorter, in the leg area. Then the groomer continue to examine my dog and said unless you want to take her home brush her out and come back. I said no its ok, do what you have to on the leg area once again.
Im starting to get confused on what's going on.....at this point there were more groomers in the salon now. Another groomer spoke up and said something like she'll look funny and another groomer said she'll look like she's wearing a coat. Then another groomers whose working on a poodle mix point at me the inner thigh of the dog she was grooming and said her legs will look like this. I said when you mean the shortest you mean shaved. My groomer nods her head.
As confused as I was, as matte as I had my dog before she has never needed to be shaved. BUT I said ok go as low as you need to if you thinks she's matted. ...I wasn't objecting... The groomer still looked at me like she wasn't ready to take my dog. The other groomer were all staring at me.... so I was getting really overwhelmed....I did not understand what they wanted me to do or say. I said to them I've came here before and with my dog in the same condition and I never had this issue. What is it today that makes it sooo difficult. My dog was not in terrible grooming condition at all. She looks like she's ready for a groom and bath like every dogs who goes grooming will look like.
I got so overwhelmed and intimidated because I didn't know what they wanted from me. I was so confused. I said again, I'm not so sure what the issue is but this is ridiculous and I walked out. My gut feeling was bad and I knew I couldn't leave my dog in these peoples hands.
The left and walked past the store manager office (whom I meet before on my previous visit) , I told him how intimidating and unfriendly the staff at the grooming was. He had a did not care demeanor. He said he was there at the grooming area earlier (yes he was there during the first 1/2 of the conversation) and he didn't think they did anything wrong. I said but after you left, they weren't being too helpful and I felt so intimidating so I left. He said sorry I felt that way. Then I left completely.
Im still confused at what happened. I agreed that her legs will be trimmed short/shaved..... what was still the issue? My guess is perhaps their job to be easier and was implying to me that I should shave my dog completely? (which I won't do because its winter) or maybe they didn't want to deal with another curly hair breed today? Perhaps she wasn't experienced enough to groom my curly haired dog? Either way poor communications skills and poor customer service. I can say I was very patience today even with all the questions and confusion but they made me feel more and more uncomfortable. Never going back ....they lost my trust. Perhaps she should have just got to the point next time and say Im not qualified to groom your dog. I would have gave her some credit on being honest at least ! read more