This is only the second review I've ever given in my life because I believe businesses shouldn't be…read morelimited to one bad experience, but if I could give JD Day Spa NEGATIVE stars, I would. The establishment and the staff.
I came in on a Tuesday afternoon, one week postpartum, to get a pedicure and have a moment of solace. I generally get regular polish because I have brittle nails, but whenever I do opt for gel polish, I always have it soaked off with acetone rather than drilled off, the quick/easy, but unhealthy and thinning alternative. Before having a baby, I thought gel would be the longer-lasting option. It was, and by the time I showed up to JD Day Spa for a refresh (and for the first time ever), the gel polish had already chipped off three of my toes.
So I didn't think requesting a soak-off before my pedicure was a particularly unreasonable ask.
For starters, there was only one other person getting a pedicure. There were roughly 10 pedicure chairs along the wall, yet the owner asked me to sit directly beside the other customer. I discreetly let another staff member know that under normal circumstances I wouldn't mind, but given that I'd just given birth, I would prefer to sit a few chairs down.
No issue there.
Once seated, I informed the nail tech who was going to do my pedicure that I wanted my gel polish soaked off. I figured she could have someone else get the process started if necessary... acetone, cotton balls, and foil, while I waited for her to finish up the pedicure she was currently doing. She told me that because it was almost 5pm, the salon closed at 6pm, and the soak-off could take up to 30 minutes, she didn't have time to do the service. I understood the timeline and said no problem, I could just come back another time.
Before leaving, I asked another staff member if I could just split the service instead- pay for a soak-off that day and come back another time for the pedicure, since my availability with a newborn is obviously unpredictable and my toes looked atrocious. When I asked what the cost of just a soak-off would be, the owner (the woman in the first chair on the left) met my request with excuse after excuse.
First, it was, "it takes too long." Then it was, "Well, we don't do that service, so I don't have a price."
I'm sorry, but what? I find it extremely hard to believe that a nail salon has never removed gel polish via acetone vs drilling. And even if a soak-off wasn't a listed service, I was literally willing to pay for the time and forego the entire pedicure. I was simply asking for the gel polish to be removed so I could leave.
What disgusts me most is the complete lack of consideration or basic decency shown toward me in this situation. I am one week postpartum, made the effort to get out of the house, was completely understanding of their closing time, and was willing to come back another day for the actual pedicure. I wasn't demanding special treatment. I was asking for a simple service that I was willing to pay for.
Instead, I was met with excuses and an attitude that made it abundantly clear that accommodating me, even in the SMALLEST way, was apparently too much of an inconvenience. That interaction spoke volumes to me about the level of customer service and consideration at this establishment. Poor judgment, poor customer service, and frankly, a lack of basic compassion. If you have the time and the choice, spend your money ELSEWHERE. I will never return to JD Day Spa.
I drove right up the street to 818 Nail Salon, and they accommodated me without hesitation, without questioning, and without making me feel like I was asking for something outrageous. That is the kind of customer service I will gladly support.
