I wanted to surprise my partner with a couple's massage. I looked around Cincinnati and found that…read moremassage studios that offer massages for two are surprisingly rare, so I was fairly happy to see that Mitchell's Salon & Day Spa provided them for a reasonable price.
The booking process was certainly interesting. In order to schedule a couple's massage, you have to purchase a gift card and then call to schedule. You cannot purchase a massage directly through the website- you must buy a gift card, as that is the only option Mitchell's offers to book a massage for two. This is not clearly delineated on the website, but after I managed to purchase my gift card and call in, the woman I spoke to on the phone was very polite and helpful. She took my gift card number and told me she applied it to the massage, so all I had to do was show up hand in hand with my partner. It does seem like their schedule books quickly, so I would definitely plan a little further ahead if I were to come here again- which I won't, and I'm getting ready to explain why.
When my partner and I arrived to check in, front desk was not knowledgeable about what they were doing. The receptionist in training (as it said on her name tag), led me to the locker room and pointed out where I should go once I had changed, but failed to do the same for my partner, who had never been to a spa before and was unsure of the protocol. I should also note that front desk never once asked either of us for payment.
The massages themselves were wonderful- Julie and Toni were our masseuses, and it was a heavenly experience. They were super polite and very talented. No complaints on that front. What I DID have an issue with was being called the morning after my massage telling me that I hadn't yet paid, despite being told upon booking that I didn't have to worry about paying and never once being asked for payment during the actual appointment. But I have a gift card, so whatever. No big deal, right? Wrong.
I gave the lady who called my gift card code- only for her to tell me I owed another $13 on top of the gift card balance. $13! I've already paid $200.51 PLUS a 25% tip for each masseuse. What could I possibly owe thirteen dollars for? We didn't add any extras to our massage. The receptionist tells me that the $13 is to cover taxes. Now I'm irritated because you have called me at work and interrupted my day to try and pry another $13 out of me for taxes, when I have never ONCE in my life had to pay taxes on top of a gift card. If Mitchell's requires you to pay extra taxes, then they should INCLUDE THAT IN THE PRICE OF THE GIFT CARD. It was so unprofessional and frankly just irritating that this is an issue.
Imagine if you got a massage gift card for someone and they show up thinking everything is covered, only to be extorted for more cash once the gift card has been applied. A salon of this price and size should not be nickel and diming like this. It's pathetic and embarrassing to treat your customers this way. This customer service experience has been incredibly disappointing, frustrating, and just all around awful. Needless to say I will not be returning. I simply cannot believe that after paying $200.51 plus tip, Mitchell's has the gall to come after me for taxes on top of a gift card where taxes should have been factored into the original price of the card. I mean really and truly, what the heck?
Update: I spent my break looking at their website and calling. Their website states that tax is included in the price of the gift card, so I was able to get the surcharge comped after speaking to receptionist. She told me that one of the masseuses is at a "higher level" and that means that they charge more for tax? Whatever, I'm just glad that they took care of it. They asked if I wanted to tip (after I had already tipped, lol). Still won't be back but my opinion of their customer service has increased ever so slightly. Bottom line: massages here are amazing. Customer service, not so much.