The store is beautiful, immaculately clean, and the employee was really nice. However, I have a real problem with the way I got "sold".
The kid (who turns out to be the 22 year old owner) hands me a bottle of lotion, tells me that it's complimentary for me to TRY, does not tell me the price of ANYTHING, and puts me in the tanning bed for 15 minutes. I am a fair skinned person, I didn't want 15 minutes, I can't stand 15 minutes. But he repeatedly GUARANTEED that I would not burn, as NO ONE can burn in their "special" beds. Yeah right.
As time passes today, my skin is getting more and more red. I am burned, even though he guaranteed that I would not be. As time passed that day, I developed blisters as well as broken blood vessels on multiple parts of my body because of the burn... This "expert" could have scarred me for life!
But that is not even what I am REALLY upset about. He proceeded to sign me up for 3 months of highest level tanning at I couldn't even tell you what price, and told me the total was over $300! When asked, he was unable to give me a breakdown of costs, etc. And I was only able to pay $100 towards this. The number on the barcode under the receipt is 12774821.
I contacted HT corporate HQ and received the following response: "You will have to talk to the franchisee of that location, as we do not handle or manage customer service issues with the individual stores." Well! I would think that a national franchise would be a little bit concerned as to how their members are treating customers in general... Makes a bad name for them!
Joey was never able to give me a complete break down of all the charges. And I wound up paying for that "complimentary" for me to "try" bottle of lotion. I did not want 3 months of tanning, but he just did not want to seem to understand that. I also did not want the $58 bottle of lotion, but after using it, I was told that their policy is similar to that of stores with breakable items - "you break it you buy it" - HT: "you try it, you buy it".
There was absolutely no regard whatsoever for the fact that I am on a budget. Joey, the 22 year old owner did not listen to what I wanted, was way too aggressive. I did not and do not want 3 months of tanning, especially at a cost of over $300 total. Ultimately, later in the day I went back and demanded a refund of the $100 that I had put down, as well as the cancelation of my 3 months of tanning. Once all was said and done, I walked out of there with $12. Because the "complimentary" lotion was $58 plus tax, and then the ONE FIFTEEN MINUTE session in the tannign bed was $30. And then he had the NERVE to try and tell me it was MY fault that I got burnt. Apparently he forgot his "certifications" and "guarantees".
This kid has a lot to learn about customer service if he wants his business to be successful. This is not Hollywood, we do business HONESTLY here in the West End. I seriously hope that this business goes under, because the West End does not need these kind of shady people stealing our hard earned money.
Best bet - Paradise Tanning over by Imagination Zone. Kelli that works there is absolutely wonderful! She'll only sell you what you want, and never let you burn. The place is clean, convenient, and affordable.
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