Okay so I posted a review last year about my disappointment in not being able to book an appointment at this spa. I wouldn't typically come back on Yelp to repost, but it seems that someone contacted Yelp to complain about my review "promoting" another nail salon within my last review. I will gladly repost my old review redacted without the "promotion" because consumers should fully know what they're potentially getting into.
Hopefully other potential customers will not experience this but here's my old review just in case there is a current Groupon special or future Groupon special out there. I've had this happen to me with other businesses I've purchased services through Groupon and think people should know of the risk ahead of time that buying a Groupon doesn't mean you'll be able to get the services, book them or communicate with the business.
Redacted review removed by Yelp:
I ran into a very similar issue as Sharon C. on this page.
This review is specifically for individuals who purchased a Groupon or are thinking about purchasing a Groupon for this business. I purchased a Groupon for a Gel manicure a couple of weeks ago, and never even made it into the spa. I recently moved to the area, and was searching for a new place for nail services and possibly waxing as well. I also noticed that she did facials, etc. and I was thinking about checking out those services after my nail appointment. Unfortunately, I ran into persistent issues trying to book an appointment.
When I found the offer on Groupon for a $19 gel manicure, I read the terms and conditions. It stated, "Appointment required, same day appointments accepted." I needed a manicure ASAP that week, so I was happy to hear that they accepted same day appointments. Just FYI, the whole "same day appointment" thing is not true. More info below. So after I purchased the Groupon, the email I received confirming my purchase stated the following:
"How to Use
1. Pull up Groupon with our mobile app (or print it out).
2. Appointment required, call (301)-346-4748 and mention your Groupon.
3. Present Groupon upon arrival.
4. Enjoy!"
I followed the instructions as stated. I called the number on the Groupon email about four or five times and my calls went unanswered and kept going to voicemail. I then started getting nervous because I was worried that I had been cheated out of my money by purchasing this Groupon (I had a similar experience about a year ago with yoga classes in Baltimore where I was unable to make an appointment). So I Googled the spa's website on my phone and found a link to make an appointment. The link wouldn't work on my phone and I was unable to go forward. So I waited until I got home to use my laptop, due to technical issues with the mobile site. As I stated before, the Groupon instructions don't say to book online but I thought this may be another way to do so. So I went online and it required me to put in all this persona information to create an account with a website to book an appointment. I was desperate so I made an account.
Then I discovered, after I inputed all my personal information, that there were no appointments available for an entire week. "Same day appointments available" turned out to be untrue. As was "How to Use" the Groupon instructions. I was frustrated at this point, because most if not all of the appointment times available were inconvenient on the days I was available. I was willing to just book for the future and go somewhere else to get my nails done in the mean time, since I had an event to go to--just so I wouldn't lose my money. I ended up booking an appointment for this week, but then discovered I also wouldn't be able to make this appointment time. I tried using the website to reschedule but it wouldn't work. I called the number again to try to reschedule. No answer.
I was never even contacted to confirm the appointment I had, and the voicemail that I left with my name and number went unanswered to this day. I see from other reviews that if you actually make it in for an appointment, you get great services. It is unfortunate that there are two potential customers that the business lost due to poor customer service (possibly others who don't bother to write a Yelp review). If the business is overwhelmed, it should say so on its website or on the Groupon so that the "same day appointment" is removed. Really, it should say "same week appointments not available or limited appointments until x date. Lastly, please just pick up your phone and also call back customers who bother to leave a voicemail. I have contacted Groupon and hope I can get my refund, if not, I will just have to lose the money I paid upfront for the Groupon because I refuse to go get services from a business that doesn't even bother to respond to a voicemail or answer the phone. It reflects poorly on any other future/potential customer service. read more