Had a very bad experience yesterday! Updated

Yesterday I went to a salon to get my hair highlighted and cut. I was given a gift certificate from my mothers boss. I put in over 20 hours of time to create flyers, brochures and a pamphlet for a non for profit organization. I was really excited to go.

This is the first time ive ever been to this salon so I did not know what to expect.
On tuesday I called up to make an appt for Sunday. I tell the girl on the phone I have a gift certificate and read it to her. It specifies who colors and who cuts. She proceeds to tell me two different names. THinking nothing of it I go in on sunday and this guy is at the desk. He said he would be doing my hair today. no biggie.

I spend 4 hours at this salon, go to the counter to pay and they tell me they cannot accept my gift certificate. I was flipping out. They point to the names of the people who are to cut and color and I inform them that their receptionist said she would put me in with 2 other people (keep in mind the 2 most expensive stylists). I ask to speak with the manager who wasnt any better. She was condesending and saw that i was in my late 20's and could take advantage of that. she said i can extend the gift certificate to feb but you have to pay for todays services. i was so upset she proceeds to tell me she will give me a discount which came out to 10 off. my bill was 127.00. i was really pissed thought i would go for a nice day of coloring and cut but found that they were playing games. I called up to speak to the manager today but she wont be back till tomorrow. I want my money back. I dont think that some girl who doesnt know how to put an appt in should be the reason I have to pay. They gave me some line that the gift certificate has a zero value since it is for donation. i explained that I dont care if its a $2 value its says cut and i was willing to pay the difference between a junior stylist to a senior but the lady didnt care what I said. Any advise ladies.

Message edited 10/5/2004 1:57:56 PM.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

I'm sorry, you had to go thru this.

Please tell me you paid by credit card. If so, just refute the charge with the credit card company.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Where did you go? I had a similiar experience with a salon in St. James...except I never actually went in because my gift certificate had "rules" on which days I could go ect.. Bu!!S**T!!!

Anyway...I would report them to the BBB. Also if they EVER happens again, then just don't pay. Say no, you have to except this certificate or go without payment. Sorry Charlie! Screw them. I am so sick of hearing about people being taken advantage of!!

How did you pay? Credit Card, check? Maybe you can dispute the charge OR stop payment??

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

I already called them and they said since I signed for it I am responsible to pay the amount.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

yeah, unforutnately, since you already paid, i doubt you'll get your money back

i would have walked out without paying

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

I was afraid they would call the police. I have a call into the owner and plan on contacting shame on you or fox 5 if they tell me too bad. One persons inability to schedule right should not be my misfortune. Like I said I was never at this salon before and they should have informed me of this before they did the service.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

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Posted by corinne7477

I was afraid they would call the police. I have a call into the owner and plan on contacting shame on you or fox 5 if they tell me too bad.

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Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

What salon was it? Telling us will hurt their business and also warn us!

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

It was Bocu salon in Commack. They are not a vendor on here.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Is there anything of the GC itself or did they tell you when you scheduled that there were limitations???

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

the gift certificate specifically read highlights with Deanna and cut with Sarah. I read exactly what was writen on the GC to the receptionist and explained I was new and never was at their salon and she puts me in with the two most expensive.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

thats ridiculous - I would never go there now.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

oh you shouldnt have paid... but i know how you feel.... this girl stole some shoes from my store along time ago and i had to pay for them. they tricked me into paying too. so i paid $200 for a pair of shoes that i cant even wear. i dont know why i paid! But its too late now. just forget it, even though its hard to... its just going to cause more stress and in the end you may never get your $$$ back. I hope they at LEAST did a good job though.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Im not. And we really dont have the money right now to blow away like this. We just moved into our house and are saving to furnish. so i guess if i put it in furniture terms i just lost half the deposit of a night table.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

I would call back and say that you're going to report them to the Better Business Bureau. If they don't give your $$ back, definitely go to the BBB website and fill out a complaint. I believe they have to address any complaint made to BBB w/in 30 days. Good luck!!

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

that whole place seems weird. i HATE when things are unorganized luike that ESPECIALLY when my $ is on the line!

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

That's totally sux!!

I'd have been afraid to just walk out without paying as well!

But definitely contact Shame on You .. or any one (or all) of those investigative, on-your-side shows.

And don't be afraid to rip them every chance you get .. they treated you like garbage .. so .. word of mouth can be very damaging .. keep talking!!

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Corinne:
I HOPE HOPE HOPE you paid by cc -- call the company immediately and tell them to hold the charge. Call the manager and leave messages every day three times daily and RAISE HOLY HELL. You are totally not allowed to be charged for a change their representative authorized. Read the fine print on the gc -- does it say not transferable to another stylist?

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Ah, yes the infamous Bocu Salon in Commack, yeah...stay away...the are a$$es over there and will rip you off if given the chance. Definitly report to the BBB, and don't worry about walking out w/ out paying...my cousin did that once when given a bad perm. You were in the right.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Bull. Call back and speak to a manager at CC company and ask them what should you have done while being intimidated. Or take them to small claims court.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

Our girsl are so smart:
SHAME ON YOU -- fabulous!
Absolutely follow Jennie of the Sun's genius advice and send complaint to BBB - they have to respond by law. Keep calling -- they will soon find you are not worth the trouble for what they screwed you out of.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

I don't know if pursuing it with Fox 5 will be worth it for you.

I think you said the names on the GC were Deanna and Sarah, but it turned out that a GUY did your hair. I am sure the salon will be very vocal about the fact that you knew the GC had female names, but still let a man do your hair...

I know it sucks, but I don't think you're going to be able to get your money back.

I can almost guarantee that you won't get any more than 1/2 of your money because hair dressers usually work on a 50/50 commission, so your salon already had to give the hairdresser his 1/2 of the money. And, the situation really isn't his fault, so I doubt that he'll give you anything back.

Whenever I get color, or a pedi/manicure, I will always ask upfront what the total will be so that I don't end up in a sticky situation after the work is done...

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

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Posted by DebMaher

Corinne:
I HOPE HOPE HOPE you paid by cc -- call the company immediately and tell them to hold the charge. Call the manager and leave messages every day three times daily and RAISE HOLY HELL. You are totally not allowed to be charged for a change their representative authorized. Read the fine print on the gc -- does it say not transferable to another stylist?

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Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

That is horribe. I would have been fuming!!!! I mean fuming. Is there a highr manager than this person you spoke with? Or was this a small business? I would demand to speak w/ someone higher. I would make such a fuss (in a nice way) to the manager. Then if she still wasnt giving in I would tell everyone I knew what a horrible place it was so it gets back to them by word of mouth. What goes around comes around. If they can treat you like that they will have something else coming there way (bad Carma)Hope that helped or take them to court.

Message edited 10/5/2004 12:11:30 AM.

Re: Had a very bad experience yesterday! need advise

i wouldnt have paid - you specifically read to them who you had to schedule with if they did something else that is their problem not yours

unfortunately since you paid already i doubt you will get it back unless you make a huge stink - call ing fox 5 is definately a good idea - i doubt the place will want the bad publicity