[big guy]

Originally Posted by AngieT2

Sorry to have to write this post, but I feel I must, in case it will save any fellow Villagers heart ache and wasted time.

I moved here from San Diego in June. I first visited the Salon Prof'l Academy for a Manicure and Pedicure. I checked in for my appointment and waited approximately 15 minutes (no apology was given by the student who performed the services nor the front desk staff). The manicure was the 'Chellac" manicure that is supposed to last 2 weeks (minimum). Well... my nails started chipping after two days. Ok..whatever... life was busy and I moved on.

A month later, I decided to give the Academy another shot. This time, another 15-20 minute wait was encountered and I kid you not... One of my nails had chipped within 4 hours of returning home. I called and was told that I could come back in for a complimentary manicure with a different student. Very nice offer and I took them up on it. The 3rd manicure was better and last about a week...no complaints. Also, got to wait for at least 15 minutes for this appointment, too.

Most recently I had a scheduled appointment for a manicure/pedicure at 12:15 PM. At 12:46 PM, someone finally came over to the waiting area and told me that the student I had specifically made an appointment with, was not there and that someone else would be assisting me (keep in mind that they have now left me sitting in their lobby for over 30 minutes!!).

I told the lobby host that I wanted to talk to a manager to see what type of credit would be offered for my inconvenience / wasted time. I would have been tickled pink with a $5.00 credit just a gesture of goodwill. NOPE! "Mrs. Carlson" (as she curtly introduced herself to me) gave me some long, lame story about how she drives to Gainesville to get her teeth cleaned and that she has had to wait up to three hours! Huh? What does her absolute low value of her time have to do with this shabby customer service that I have now experienced three times at her salon/school?

She flat out told me that I just have to understand that appointments are not firm and that wait times must be expected. I told her that of course, I understand that sometimes, 'Life happens' and I get that...BUT, each time I have visited her salon, I have gotten to wait and wait AND wait.

Honestly, the services are cheaper, yes...but the work is CHEAPER.... Couple that with the worst customer service I have experienced in this wonderful, special place (The Villages) and NO THANK YOU. I will do without, go somewhere else, whatever....

...and just to put the perfect ending to this story... When I left the salon, with no manicure or pedicure, I drove out of the parking lot, and at the employee picnic table were no less than 12 students, all standing around smoking. Nice touch... No one can help PAYING CUSTOMERS sitting in their lobby in a timely fashion, but they can stand around out back and smoke in a large group. Nice, Salon Professional Academy...nice....

I am now in the habit, when I make a hair cut appointment, of asking where the stylist was trained. If the answer is, "in Florida", I take no chances and book my appointment with someone else. They learn poor work ethics and very little about cutting hair. They never check a haircut and my hair was always longer on one side than the other. I went to Salon Professional Academy once and was shocked that a student could complete a service without the instructor checking her/his work. After visiting many salons at all prices but never a good haircut, I now go to Victoria's Salon on 466 and have gotten the best haircut since coming to Florida 6 years ago.