I have been going to Spa #1 for a few months. I had been satisfied up until my last and final visit. Last week I had an appointment for pedi and gel removal and gel polish. After waiting 20 minutes, which I really didn't mind, I was taken back for my pedi. I put my feet into burning hot water, and immediately pulled them out. My technician added cold water and then we continued with the pedicure. She was scrubbing the callus on the side of my big toe to get it off, using an abrasive block/sponge. She then started scrubbing the top of my toe, where there is no callus, really hard. All of a sudden I was in pain, as she had scrubbed off several layers of perfectly good skin off of the top of my foot. It was bleeding quite a bit, which then made me worry that I may get some sort of infection. She kept trying to blot it with the paper towel squares that they cut up, and I know they are not sterile. I asked her to just put a Band-Aid on it, which she did, after rinsing both my feet with ice cold water. I persevered while she finished the pedicure, really wanting to just leave. Now I understand that we are all human and mistakes can be made by anyone. However, when I mentioned it to the owner upon checking out, he had not much of a reaction and just offered a "sorry". While I was still in the shop getting out tip money for the tech who did my gel nails, he makes a b-line to the back of the salon and verbally scolds the technician, in front of the other employees and customers. Wow, rule #1 of managing people: Praise in public, discipline in private!!!!!!! I left the shop feeling like he shouldn't have charged me for a pedicure that went wrong and ended up injuring me.
Two days later I noticed that the gel polish was chipping off of several fingernails and peeling off of another two. So, I went back and asked to speak with the owner in private. We spoke in the back and I told him that I felt that I shouldn't have been charged for the pedicure since I was injured and I would like a refund. I also pointed out the issues with my fingernails. He started a long dissertation on how certain polishes don't adhere to certain people's nails, and that it depends on the brand. So now he has me thinking that the brand I chose is not compatible with my nails. He then proceeds to repolish only the nails that are having a problem with the same polish that he just convinced me was not compatible with my nails. He also then insults me regarding the condition of my nails and makes me feel that the entire thing is my fault! No do-over with another brand of polish and no refund for my pedicure!
So now it is 6 days since my initial visit and the large sore on my foot is still really red, hurts, and is just now starting to heal. The polish on my fingernails is once again chipping and peeling.
Spa #1 has lost a customer permanently, and I will dissuade potential new customers at every opportunity I can. All because the owner did not make the situation right, and treated me as if it was my fault. I have seen him interact with other customers over the past few months (and even get in a fight with one), and I see how he treats customers and employees. He is controlling and superior and I feel sorry for his lovely wife and employees. read more