This is long. PLEASE READ!First, let me say that I was a customer of Treats Unleashed for years. I loved what they stood for, the products they made, and the grooming performed on my Mini-Aussi. This story is about taking a years-long positive experience and throwing it out the window with the force of a medieval catapult.
I made an appointment for my Mini-Aussie about three weeks before my 10:30 a.m. start time. This meant that I had to take time from work, drive up there, and then go to the office for an unexpected mandatory meeting. The timing worked out okay.
In the past, it has taken 3-4 hours of work on this dog; My meeting would have ended by two in the afternoon. Here is what happened next.
* The woman was initially smiley and friendly. She used a lot of words like "honey, sweetheart, etc."
* I kindly asked if I could pick up my dog after 2. Her demeanor changed. She became smirky and said that my appointment goes till 12:30. She told me that the policy is that dogs must be picked up within 45 minutes of their grooming completion, "no exception." I didn't know what to do at that point. She told me the reason was so dogs don't become stressed.
* She then said that for a fee of $35.00, I could pick him up a "little later." So what she is saying is that for $35, the dogs are NOT stressed? I asked if that meant that I could pick him up at 2, and she was very wishy-washy on it... "well, uh, maybe, uh... I dont know."
* I tried asking again in another way. She still could not answer my question. I said "Fine, then cancel this appointment and I will go elsewhere from now on. She told me "OH! Well then, there is a $35 cancellation fee? WHAT! She said "You signed the agreement when you made the appointment. "I said "I'ld like to see that." With much attitude, she stomped over to her computer but never showed me the actual policy or signature. I think what happens when the appointment is made, is that they ask you to sign on the terminal, but no policy is shown. A person thinks they are agreeing to the appointment time when, in fact, there is a lot of fine print in the back end. This is BBB worthy.
* She rang up the $35 fee on the register. I told her that this is the last dime that TU will ever get from me. I also said that I would post my reviews (this can cost way more than $35 in potential customer loss.) Still smirking, she said, "That's fine."
* I tried to use tap-pay. The machine was ready - I held up my watch for about 5 seconds... nothing. She said, "You have to hold it down longer than that, sir. Our machine is slow." Geez - Next time, 15 seconds (still doesn't work) - Next time, 25 seconds... nothing. This was like waiting in the shower for the conditioner to kick in.
* Are you kidding me?! She said that I could use a physical card. "I don't have it on me... that's why I am using tap pay." Still smirking, she said she would call me later for the card number. Oh, hell no, you're not. It's not my fault that their machine is not working. If you are offering that service, you need to ensure it is working--otherwise, do not offer it.
This will be the last time that any Treats Unleashed get my business. It will, however, be the start of my posting the review and letting everyone know that I know about this experience. This is why their Yelp ratings are so low. Businesses can't pay to remove negative reviews like Google does.
There is a shortage of groomers and good pet shops around here. This seriously makes me consider opening a local store with similar offerings but a friendlier environment, realistic policies, kind employees, and better offerings. Maybe even a little empathy for loyal customers. After all, this is how Lamborghini got started--because of terrible service and rude employees at Ferarri--true story! read more