5 yrs, 4 mths ago

Bad experience with skin clinic

I think in my whole 34 years I have had 1 facial at a beauty salon. I very rarely get any treatment due to time and finances. But lately my skin has gone through some huge changes and has been really awful to the point it is getting me down. 2 weeks ago while grocery shopping in a large shopping centre, I walked past a very well known and large beauty clinic. They had advertised a very good special for a facial treatment. I walked in to find out more, as I thought you know what, I want to have a treatment. They quoted me $120 for the treatment, I said great and booked it on the spot for the following week. They required a $25 booking fee, which they said will come off the total when I pay. So I went for my treatment. I sat in the chair, the beautician said the treatment is not $120, it is in fact $300. I said I cannot afford that. I said can I walk out and not have the treatment. She said I will lose my $25 booking fee. (I see now I should have walked out and demanded my $25 back as they gave me the wrong information when I booked!). So I got a bit anxious and was nearly crying, and didn’t know what to do. Suddenly this thing that was meant to be a pampering session and something I never ever get to do, was turning in to a nightmare. The beautician talked me in to setting up zip pay, to pay for the treatment. I did it even though I know I can’t afford it. I had the treatment, anxious and upset the whole time, paid at the counter. Then got home and realised I’d paid full price and they hadn’t even subtracted the $25 booking fee I had paid! Omg they are so so dodgy. I have rang twice. Was told I would have the $25 refunded. Nothing has shown in my bank account. It was over a week ago. I’ve rang again. The manager is never available. I’m so frustrated and upset. I’ve just learnt my lesson doing anything nice for myself 🙁 never again

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Replies

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Stacey, a few weeks ago I went to a foot massage the first time as I got bunions and it was great. What I did was before any session grab their brochures pricing and make sure you ask for the right treatment. These people spoke mandarin and were great. Do that next time with any clinics regardless of how reputable they are and you shouldn’t go wrong. Dont worry too much with this as Im sure accc will help you. Have a nice one.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    I am waiting very (im)patiently for the office of Fair Trade to contact me. I did get an email from them saying I will be contacted in 10-15 business days, and I guess with the Christmas period I could expect maybe longer. They have it all in writing and even my receipts and communication from the clinic etc I took photos of and included. I feel I made a very strong complaint with so much evidence! So it’s in the works at the moment… I’m not sure what to expect or what will happen. I know the clinic will weasel out of it like they did with me.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Try and relax and enjoy christmas now stacey , you’ve done your part and now the ACCC can do theirs.

    Merry christmas!

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Good on you Stacey, wait until ACCC get in touch with them. I’ve done that several times with retailers and you would be surprised at the outcome! Hopefully the make them refund you the difference..

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    It’s good to hear they are going to get looked at, and I’m glad you stuck to your guns. Even if you don’t get the money back.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Update: I got a response from the Manager and the head office. It is apparently my fault as the original quote is just an estimate, and I then went ahead and consented to treatment, and I could have walked out at any time.
    Go back and read my original post.
    They told me I would lose my deposit if I walked!
    So I have now submitted this to Fair Trade Queensland. When I called them they said yes, they have given me misleading information and they would like to investigate.
    I doubt I will see anything out of this, but at least this terrible practise has been brought to attention.
    Thankyou all for the advice. I don’t feel like I’ve achieved appropriate compensation but I’m glad I have made a complaint and it will be investigated.

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Stacey here`s the thing. They cannot take a deposit from you if they give you a “”fee estimate”” instead of a quote. If the quote of $120 changes then they should have told you that the$25 is refundable (as they have changed their terms, unilaterally). So the fact that they said the price has changed and the$25 is not refundable, that is misleading.

      The head office`s response was irresponsible. I definitely would like to know what franchise is this, so i can avoid it.

      • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

        Australian Skin Clinics
        The big white and blue stores popping up in most shopping centres

      • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

        Edit your title of the forum thread to include their name and location, something like my bad experience with Australian Skin Clinics at X location. Name and shame! I think chain stores pull this garbage because most of us don’t have the time and energy to fight it. They messed with the wrong girl this time! Kudos for standing up to these shady people!

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      In the very least at least the company will (hopefully) be more upfront and forthcoming and advertise their prices more accurately other than just quoting “”estimates”” with future customers after the investigation is complete, hopefully even if no compensation comes out of it for you at least this should prevent it from happening to anyone else. I hope you do get some level of compensation back or in the very least a apology as recognition.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Good to hear, it only takes a matter of minutes to go online and put money into someones account so I don’t think they’ve got any excuse for taking as long as they did.

    Heres hoping it can be resolved before christmas, It’s stressful now , but looking back on this time in the future I’m sure you will be proud of yourself for making a stand.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    Ok so I have received the $25 refund only. After a huge amount of effort to even get that. They have by the end of today to resolve my complaint and refund the difference between the amount I was quoted and the amount I paid, otherwise I have told them I will be lodging a complaint with Fair Trade. I have the form saved and ready to go.
    This situation has made me so stressed and sick. I hope they do the right thing instead of dragging it out so I can just enjoy Christmas and stop worrying.

    • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

      Good on you, Stacey, for sticking up for your rights. Don`t back down now and follow this through to the end.

      Hopefully you won`t need to lodge a complaint to Fair Trading because if the company values their business then they will refund what was taken from you through their bullying tactics.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    What a shocker!! Stacey it’s great that you have written to the head office. I would too demand a refund of the difference between what you have charged and what you have quoted, plus the $25 of course.

    If they do not resolve it, write to the fair trade in your state. I would also send them a link to this forum. You should let us know what salon is that if they don’t resolve your complaint.

    PS The ACCC does not investigate individual complaints.

  • 5 yrs, 4 mths ago

    What state are you in?
    If you are in NSW you make a complaint through fair trading not ACC.

    Here’s the form.

    You should do it. I’ve done it and within a week they contact you and resolve the issue.

    https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/online-tools/make-a-complaint

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