1 /5 Lindsay P: I made a 2:30pm appointment for my 4-year-old daughter and myself. When we entered, there were 2 available nail technicians, which I thought was perfect. As usual, they directed my little girl to pick a color from the display case for her mani/pedi. There was a yellow post-it on one area within the case that we did not initially notice. It said the the nail polishes within this particular area cost 2 dollars more as they were longer lasting nail polishes. We mistakenly chose from those and we were very appreciative when my nail technician mentioned to me that they would cost more. She informed me it would cost $4 more for my daughters mani/pedi ($2/each) and I thanked her and chose similar colors from the other display cases that did not cost more. I made sure I chose the correct ones from the owner, Tony, and he encouraged me to continue to use the nail polish that cost extra. My response was that I would have loved to if my daughter allowed them to stick and not peel them off. My daughter subsequently sits in her assigned pedicure chair and I go with Gabby, my wonderful nail technician to begin my gel polish. My daughter is waiting while I begin. 2:30 becomes 2:45 and she is still sitting as still as a soldier for 15 minutes. At 2:55pm (25 minutes later) I ask politely when my 4-year-old will be attended to for the sole reason she is, well 4, and her patience, while quite impressive, is not unlimited. The owner says abruptly "she is eating her lunch." While I was genuinely glad she is eating, we had an appointment at 2:30, my 4 year-old has now waited for almost a half an hour and we have somewhere to be by 4. The owner rebutted that my daughter will be done before me anyway so whats the difference. This comment did not make much sense because she needs time to dry her nails, while I do not (I was getting gel) so the time we both complete our nails is not of equal standing. Also, how long do you expect a preschooler to wait this long past her appointment time and still remain still for the mani/pedi? Shes a toddler! We finished at the same exact time, but now my daughter needed time to dry. I ask the cost of the nails to pay and I gladly tip each technician over 20percent as usual.
I join my little girl where she is patiently drying her nails. At this time, my nail technician approaches me and states I need to pay $5 more for my daughter as she used a few colors, not just one. I said, "huh? I purposely replaced the $4 nail polish as to not spend that additional money AND consulted w the owner to avoid additional charges, so why would someone not tell me that more than one nail polish costs $5 AFTER I already paid?" I tried to speak with the woman who I heard direct Gabby towards me to collect the money, but she completely ignored me. At this point, I see my daughter begin to get a little anxious and I just say, "please have a manager discuss this with me and I will be happy to talk it out." No one came up to me, my daughters nails dried and we began to exit and cheerfully thank everyone and bid them farewell. I figured they decided not to pursue it. As we exit, I hear the woman yell to the technician, "go get the 5 dollars from her!!!"
The owner who followed me outside said, "over 5 nail polishes is 5 dollars." That was music to my ears because my daughter did not use over 5 nail polishes. He responded, "well it takes a lot of time to open more than one polish." I said, "my daughter took practically no time at all and you had her wait for almost 30 mins to begin her appointment. " He continues to argue with me and tell me how time consuming multiple nail polishes are... this is ridiculous. NO ONE was waiting for an appointment, my daughter waited for 30 mins, NO ONE told us about the additional charge and we had already paid and provided the tip! This was really not a way to treat a long-time , generous customer and a toddler...
