I do not often take the time to write bad reviews, and I have never done it for a small business. I am so disturbed by my experience at Shiny Strands that that I feel compelled to. Had I read a similar review prior to my visit, it might have saved me a lot of frustration and money.
I called Carol, the business owner, on a Friday informing her that I just discovered lice in my two daughters, one of whom is 2 yrs old. She scheduled appointments for all 3 of my children as well as myself for the next day and explained that if I have a two yr old with lice, there is a 95% chance that I also have it. She also explained that a full treatment would take 2 hours. She scheduled my children for their appointments at Noon, and my appointment for 1pm. I was working and do not have a job where it is easy for me to call off of work. The last time I took off of work my water broke and I was in preterm labor. Having lice however, is one of my worst nightmares so I told her I would leave work early to come in for my own appointment. They close at 3pm on Saturdays so she explained that I should be there no later than 1pm to ensure the full 2hr treatment.
My husband brought the kids at noon and I got there at 12:30pm. I checked in upon my arrival. I was not upset at all that they were running behind schedule and did not start my service till 1:40pm, but when they informed me at 2:00 that they would not be able to do a complete service today I felt devastated. They told me they were had been running behind and they didn't have time to finish my service. When I told them this was a huge deal to me, to have lice, the technician told me "This really isn't a big deal. They don't transmit disease." I explained this may not be a big deal for her, she works there afterall, but it was a very big deal to me. I offered to pay double for the "after hours" rate if someone would stay. Before asking anyone to stay, she said "You know after you've been doing this for 5 hrs you're just really tired. We are all really tired". I was flabbergasted. I work 12-13 hr shifts on my feet all day too, and was speechless. Don't talk to me about hard work.
I pushed back. It was not my fault they were running behind. Someone should stay to complete the service. She asked all the staff, no one would stay. She told me they would make sure I didn't have any adult lice, but just couldn't remove all the nits (eggs). She explained that Carol incorrectly booked me for a "head check" which was a 15 min appointment, not a full service. I again responded with "that is also not my fault". She tried to make excuses that Carol assumed I didn't have lice and thought I just wanted a check. I told her that was definitely not the case. Carol was the one who told me there was a 95% chance that I have it if my 2yr does. She also explicitly told me to be there by 1pm so that I would have time for the 2 hr treatment before closing. At this point the technician told me she would call Carol to see if she would come in herself.
Surprise surprise. That was a "No. She isn't coming in". As a business owner who created the error yourself, how do you not rectify this error? Inexcusable.
We spent over $800 at this business including tips prior to me being told they wouldn't finish my service. I guess if you pay before it's all done, they can choose to do what they want.
This technician (I think her name was Christine) also made inappropriate comments about my niece. She told my husband that she could really use a haircut and could stand to loose 4inches. I'm sorry, what? Did we ask for styling tips? What an unnecessary thing to say about, and in front of, a 7 year old.
I ended up using another company that comes to the home for completed care instead of going back to Shiny Strands for a second treatment. I hope this review is helpful to someone. It seems like there are a number of other poor reviews, shame on me for not reading those in time.
REPLY TO SHINY STRANDS
So many inaccuracies in your reply to my initial review. I called myself today to cancel my family member appointments as well as my second apt. Your staff hardly worked on me for 40 min - they kept leaving to work with other customers. I'll remind you, since you weren't there. But you can be sure they did bill for a full hour. And after making a point to have me there by 1pm so I could have 2 hrs before closing, don't try and justify a 30 min appointment. You knew what you did. It was poor service, poor leadership, and bad business practice. read more