I was extremely disappointed with my experience and would not use this mobile grooming service again.
They knew in advance that my dog is a French Bulldog, a breed that is extremely sensitive to heat. The groomer arrived approximately two hours late on a day when it was around 110°F outside. When the van arrived, all of the windows were open, the inside was hot, smelled bad, and was visibly full of dog hair. It did not feel clean or prepared for a grooming appointment.
I specifically asked whether the van was air conditioned because I was immediately concerned about putting my Frenchie inside such a hot vehicle. I was told that the generator had only just been started and that it "should be okay." That did not reassure me at all.
I was originally quoted $118, which I already felt was very expensive considering my dog does not require a haircut. He simply needed a bath, nail trim, and his glands expressed. I agreed to the price because I assumed I was paying a premium for a convenient, professional mobile service.
Once he was inside the van, I was told the appointment could take an hour to an hour and a half, which also seemed excessive for a short-haired French Bulldog. Because of the heat, I was very concerned about him. I texted the groomer asking how he was doing and received no response. I texted again and still received no response. I even went outside and knocked on the van because I was becoming genuinely worried that he could be in distress. No one answered the door.
About 45 minutes later, he was brought back inside. I was told he did not like the dryer, so he was not dried, which I was completely fine with. However, the final price was $129 instead of the $118 I had been quoted. The payment screen then only presented tip options of approximately $17, $25, or $35. I ended up tipping $17 even though I did not feel the service warranted a tip.
In total, I paid close to $150 for what was essentially a bath, nail trim, and gland expression, while also dealing with a two-hour delay, a hot and dirty van, poor communication, concern for my dog's safety, and a final charge higher than the amount I was quoted.
For the price being charged, I expected a clean, climate-controlled van, punctuality, clear communication, transparent pricing, and appropriate precautions for a brachycephalic breed in extreme heat. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.
I would not recommend this service, particularly to anyone with a French Bulldog or another heat-sensitive breed. read more
