After reading glowing reviews online for this massage therapy clinic, I eagerly decided to give it…read morea try yesterday. However, my high hopes were cruelly dashed: my experience did not live up to my expectations at all.
To begin with, when I called to book a 1-hour massage yesterday, they did not honour their promotion as advertised online. According to their website, for first time customers, there is a 10$ discount on the regular price of 59.99$ for a 1-hour massage. (See photo attachment) However, the receptionist gave a lame excuse and explained that the prices used to be 69.99$ and now they are discounting 10$ for everyone, not just for first time customers. I was highly skeptical because if the website was indeed outdated, then 69.99$ should have been listed on their website instead of the "current" 59.99$. Nevertheless, I let it slide and booked my appointment anyway.
When I arrived, I was warmly greeted by a multitasking receptionist: she summoned my massage therapist, talked to me, and talked to another customer behind me all at once. I was impressed by the decor and ambiance of the clinic. My serious-looking massage therapist lead me to a large room and thus began the massage, which was very average. At times, it was painful, at other times, the strokes could barely be felt. Also, I could smell her offensive breath.
**One of the reasons why I decided to consult was because I have been doing a lot of physical exercise lately (both cardio and weight training), and I have developed slight pain in my right leg. When I brought up the issue of leg pain, the massage therapist just retorted "It's because you sit all day and don't exercise." I was shocked and appalled that a supposedly trained and licensed therapist would leap to such a conclusion without asking any follow-up questions and assume that I lead a sedentary lifestyle.**
**She then asked me if I had back pain, but before I can even respond, she concluded that I do because it's been humid and raining the past few days. I was at a loss for words at this point. Was she really a regulated and insured practitioner, or was this all a load of hocus-pocus?**
After paying in cash, the receptionist just expected me to leave. I waited for a few seconds to give her the chance to offer me a receipt, but she had no intention of doing so, so there was a moment of awkward silence. Purportedly, this clinic values high standards and integrity. Their website states they follow "rules of hygiene and asepsis" and select "regulated and insured practitioners". This isn't some cheap dingy parlor in Chinatown. This is supposed to be a clinic with a reputation to uphold. In my opinion, offering a receipt systematically, or at the very least, asking if I would like one, should be common practice.
When I realized that the onus was on me in order to get a receipt, I was already frustrated at the concept and couldn't be bothered so I just left. This final transaction left a very bad taste in my mouth, thus the 1-star rating instead of 2 or 3.
All in all, I did not enjoy my experience at this clinic and will not be coming back. Granted, the receptionist was friendly, the location is convenient, the facilities are clean, the ambiance is nice. I can overlook the misleading online promotion not being honoured, and not even getting a receipt; but at the end of the day, the crux of the matter, the massage itself, left much to be desired.
