You Didn't Tell Us!

@Morleyhunt (21478)
Canada
June 25, 2016 6:19am CST
Yesterday afternoon my sister @Platespinner and I had an afternoon of pampering, courtesy of my children. (Their birthday gift to me.) We arrived at the spa with about five minutes to spare. We were seated in the lobby for a few minutes to fill in paperwork and wait for the rooms to be prepared. Then, the fun began. I was given a lovely massage while my sister was having a facial. Then we switched places, so I could have the facial while she received her massage. This was a first for my sister. She has never experienced any of these treats. On completion of my facial I was offered a cup of water. Good thing, I was feeling a little dry. Now we were asked to select a colour for our fingernails and toenails. After looking at what seemed like hundreds of choices, we both selected a pale pink for our fingernails, and something bold for the toes. The manicure was first.....I have working hands....there was no nail polish to remove and I wanted my nails clipped fairly short. My cuticles were a mess, but hey, I never do anything with them so that wasn't a surprise. The manicurists strongly suggested we should try the shellac or gel instead of the regular polish. They told us that it lasts longer and isn't as likely to chip. Finally, we both said, okay, let's try shellac. (As quilters our nail polish is rarely intact for more than 24 hours, so it is no longer applied.) Next, on to the pedicure. We sit, relax and chat, while they do the work. This could be habit forming. Total relaxation! My middle daughter set all this up. She has paid the bill in advance, and knowing her, included a generous gratuity. Finally, after 3 hours of pampering we are ready to head back to the real world....with a crash. As we are heading out, the receptionist calls us back....we still need to pay! Pay? Yes, you need to pay for the shellac nail polish! It isn't included! $15.00, please. My sister, thoughtfully pulls out $15.00 cash. No, that's $15.00 each. Okay, I pay as well. Somehow, that moment at the exit was a shadow over the afternoon. Both of us felt the charge for the polish should have been explained. There were no signs, and at no time did they mention this was extra. Next time, questions will be asked before I follow their suggestions. That nail polish better last!
22 people like this
23 responses
@JudyEv (323018)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Jun 16
This really is a bit deceitful isn't it? I don't suppose you will tell your daughter but if I were she and I found out I'd be upset. Pretty much unrelated - we had one pet sheep put down ages ago and the stand-in vet asked if we'd like the body removed. We gratefully accepted but were later billed for the privilege. As in your case, nothing was mentioned at the time.
3 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
We will ask in future. Imagine if neither of us had money with us? A posted sign, could have discreetly let us know about the extra charge.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (202864)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jul 16
Pretty sneaky.
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jun 16
I could use a day like yours but without the $15.Having said that after so much pampering, im sure you can justify having to spend $15 that you did not plan, it`s not an everyday thing.
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
2 Jul 16
@miniam I sent them an email, letting them know how disappointed we were when they charged us extra.... I have given them a week to respond.....nothing....now, I'll write about our experience on a review...hopefully this will give someone else a heads up of what to expect.
2 people like this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
2 Jul 16
@Morleyhunt Way to go, l hate when businesses mistreat me, makes me feel im not good enough for them but then why accept my money?
1 person likes this
@miniam (9154)
• Bern, Switzerland
25 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt This is where i will write a quick complaint letter, l dont like being cheated out of my money or getting half service.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64363)
• United Kingdom
25 Jun 16
Yes, that was definitely wrong that the woman didn't point out the extra charge. I've never had any form of spa treatment, it sounds interesting.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Jun 16
Sounds like a perfect day UNTIL they hit you up for that extra $$.
2 people like this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
25 Jun 16
There is nothing more fun than spa treatments. By now I know that you always have to pay for the little extras. Hope you left tips!
2 people like this
@TheHorse (202864)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jul 16
What would be the male equivalent of a spa treatment? For me, a visit to Fry's Electronics was pretty pleasing the other day.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246452)
• United States
6 Jul 16
@TheHorse My husband has had many massages and foot baths. He draws the line at facials and mani/pedis.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
I've had many a pedicure. If a change in polish was suggested, any price difference was also mentioned. Any kind of signage would have been helpful.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 16
I always use gel polish because it's the only polish that NEVER chips on my hands. It's unbelievable. It's only about $5 extra at my salon
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
25 Jun 16
There is always a fly in the ointment isn't there. Other than the nail polish expense it sounds like you both had a good time. What a great birthday gift, how thoughtful of your daughter.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
25 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt A very thoughtful gift indeed.
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
It was a very thoughtful gift.
@hereandthere (45671)
• Philippines
25 Jun 16
i understand that they were doing it for additional sales, therapists mention other services to me while i'm on the table, but they should have mentioned that how much it costs, so yes it's a dampener. good thing you both had money on you or it would have been hassle having to find an atm. your daughter would be surprised if she knew.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48250)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
I love getting a pedi, I've had a mani, but I talk with my hands, and I talk a lot, so.....not my most favorite activity. I do love a good massage, there is nothing that leaves you feeling better is there? Sounds like a great time spent together.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154184)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
That should have been explained when she suggested this treatment about the extra charges.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
3 Jul 16
It's been seven days thus far, how is that polish doing? I hate it when there are hidden charges that aren't brought forward at the time of service. Since there were no signs explaining the charges, I hope that gal didn't just pocket the extra money. Did you ask your daughter whether she knew what all was covered or not? You'd want to ask in such a way that she would think you're unhappy about the gift. I'd think that if she knew certain things would be an extra charge that she'd fill you in beforehand. Therefore, that's why I wonder whether the extra you paid wasn't above board after all.
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
6 Jul 16
The nail polish is holding up, even with the abuse I give my nails. Now it is starting to look grown out, so I'll need to remove it.....going with a very neutral colour has kept this much less noticeable than if I had used a bold colour.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33355)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
25 Jun 16
I didn't know you were sisters. I'm glad you had a nice spa day. I could go for one.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
3 Jul 16
@Morleyhunt I didn't realize that. How does John fit into the sibling picture? My mom is the youngest of nine or eleven children, and her nieces and nephews are around her age, so I know what you're talking about.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33355)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
25 Jun 16
@Morleyhunt Aww that's so sweet.
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
She is my baby sister. She is closer in age to my children than to me.
2 people like this
@BettyB (4117)
• Summerville, South Carolina
25 Jun 16
It should have been posted. I've never had a facial but I do love getting pedicures. I treat myself a couple times a year. Fingernails, I don't bother. The polish is destroyed within a day. Like you, I have working hands.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
If we had known that the shellac was extra, we would just have had a regular polish. Our nail polish rarely survives 24 hours.
@sj3011 (623)
25 Jun 16
Always remember the * sign which mean you may have to pay extra cost or hidden cost.
@Morleyhunt (21478)
• Canada
25 Jun 16
There was no sign. We looked.
@simone10 (54192)
• Louisville, Kentucky
16 Jul 16
I agree that they should have let you know that the polish was extra. That just doesn't seem right.
• United States
26 Jun 16
are ya serious?? heck, ya could'a bought several bottles'f the schtuff fer jest the one $15 'xtra fee! does this schtuff take longer to apply? only a specifically licensed guru able to put the schtuff'n? oh, i'd been havin' me a serious discussion with the salon's owner. ya should'a been told 'f the price diff'rence when asked which ya preferred. what a sour way to end what sounds's though 'twas a pleasant few hours :(
@mom210 (9021)
• United States
23 Jul 16
I think you should have argued a little bit, explained you thought it was included, they may have taken the charge back.
@TheHorse (202864)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Jul 16
You should have asked if it has a 5-year warranty. Geez.
@paigea (35452)
• Canada
12 Aug 16
Wow, I hope that shellac lasted! I hate when they don't tell you the cost. Very annoying.
• Canada
26 Jun 16
A good business would have informed you of the up charge before. I can understand your irritation.