Fantastic Sam's terrible expierence, total ripoff business from hell, waste of time and money, I want a refund! Jacksonville Florida
I will try to make this short, but my anger my run away with me.
I chose Fantastic Sam's because I had a coupon for Color and Cut $39.00. I had never been to one and I don't get my hair professionly done on a regular basis, so I thought it was a good deal.
The coupon stated that it included Color,Cut,Blowdry,& Style: Price will vary due to length. My hair is only down to my shoulders, not what I consider long. Nothing was said to me upon entering that I would have to pay extra.
I explained to my stylist, Linda, that I was getting married in a month and wanted my hair to be my natural hair color of brown. At the time, it was highlighted. I also explained that I have never gotten my hair colored at a salon, which I now realize I shouldn't have said anything.
Let's get to applying the dye. The woman was pulling and yanking my hair all over the place. It hurt worse than anything I had ever felt. The woman paid no attention to my grimacing face and watering eyes.
I had always liked getting my hair washed at a salon, but my expierence with Linda was not so. She continued to be rough and they were the most uncomfortable chair/sinks that I'd ever had to use. The back of my gown was soaking wet and I spent the rest of my time there freezing.
She continued with the prison-like roughness as she combed and blew-dry my hair. (I only let her cut a quarter of an inch) She actually blew dry my whole head with my head flipped upside down! Talk about uncomfortable.
As I checked out my hair in the mirror, which was much darker than my natural color, I noticed what looked like dye on my forehead. I asked my stylist and she said it was just my hair.
She then made me feel guilty if I didn't purchase some of their products after I told her I couldn't afford it and asked if she could suggest something that I could get at Wal-Mart.
Remember that $39.00 coupon? Well, it somehow turned it $68.00!! My hair is not that long. With the products, my bill was almost $100. I almost started crying in the store as I told her I couldn't afford them. I had already told them how my fiance and I are paying for the wedding ourselves, what makes her think I can spend $100 at a hair salon?
Well, I left there very embarrassed which is why didn't say anything about any of the problems I had. On my way home I looked in my rearview mirror to check out my hair, and I found there was dye all over my face!!! It was on my forehead, cheeks, and my neck!! I started crying immediatly.
The next day I told co-workers of my expierence and they all said I had been made a fool of. They told me how much they pay to get there hair colored at more upscale salons and I could see I had been royally ripped off! My color is also uneven and too dark, so they convinced me to try and get a refund or get it fixed.
I spoke to the manager, Gene, and I told her I would come by the next day to discuss how unhappy I was and what could be done about it. I spent my lunch break driving over there and was told she had that day off. Ans this is the manager.
Since then I have called the Regional Office and I am awaiting a call from the owner. A friend showed this me this website and I read another Fantastic Sam's horror story.I wanted to share my expierence with others so that no one will have to go through that. You go to a salon to feel pampered and I left feeling embarrassed,ripped off, and actually in pain. I forgot to mention that I couldn't even put my hair in a ponytail the next day because my scalp hurt so bad after all her yanking!
Hopefully, I will hear from the owner today and will get a refund because there is no way in hell I will let them touch my head again. If I do not get justice, this might not be my last letter. They think they can make me look like a fool, they have another thing coming.
Gretchen
Jacksonville, Florida
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Teresa
Mesa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Shame on , Linda and Fantastic ScAMs!
#2Consumer Comment
Fri, July 18, 2003
Gretchen,
What a horrific experience!
Some things you said raised red flags.
1. You told Linda you had NEVER had your hair colored at a professional salon before.
I have not kept my license new nor have I ever been licensed in Florida. However, I think any cosmetologist worth a salt would have given a patch test to make sure there were no allergies -especially because you had informed Linda you have NEVER used a professional product prior to this. It was a good thing to say, actually as it should have alerted Linda to do her job correctly and patch test you for sensitivity prior to color. Any salon that takes a walk-in for a chemical treatment is a salon I would avoid.
Phone around ask if you can walk-in for a chemical treatment - if they say yes - hang up and call another. You want the salon that will tell you that they cannot possibly accept a walk-in for a chemical treatment due to time for color consultation and patch testing.
Also, there is usually a release form to be signed when chemicals are to be used. Not to mention, as a courtesy many stylist keep info cards on their clients i.e. writing down colors used, how it worked, reactions et al.
Again, check your state info perhaps it is, perhaps it is not law to test the skin prior to applying a chemical. The release form is usually insurance related/required or their lawyer just suggest they do it as an extra protection measure.
2. The dye all over, the pain you experienced?
I did wonder if you perhaps did experience an
allergic reaction. Redness, pain, itching, burning, inflamed scalp - reactions are often attributed to just using a chemical -people assume and accept that it should be that way - chemicals are strong etc. Was it actually the coloring agent on your skin? Or was your skin red and inflamed due to a reaction? Be sure to request a patch test prior to getting any chemical applied again.
3. Was her license displayed? Always peek at the displayed license. Many times a girl will be out and someone will be using her station. Make sure the name given, name on tag - match the license that is displayed. (If state law requires it be displayed in a prominent/visible area)Either way, you have a right to make sure the person doing the job is qualified. Do not be afraid to ask.
What a half - arsed , uncaring, unprofessional pseudo-stylist Linda is!
Shame on her!
Luckily Florida governs this stuff. See the links below, make an official complaint. Make it to the company, the BBB, and ofcourse the agency(ies) that govern folks like Linda. Small claims court is always an option - especially if you have a few pics to show, medical bills for damage done, bills to other salons in attempt to repair damage the orginal stylist inflicted.
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http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/pro/cosmo/cos_board.pdf
https://www.myfloridalicense.com/render_comp.asp?form=0070-1&ext=45&comp=uni&prof=50&SID=
Board Info:
The technician and/or shop will receive a written/verbal warning possibly after a consumer complaint or inspection by state officials.
A fine may be accessed if a violation occurs.
The state abides by the FDA guidelines.
Please see the state's web site for more specific information and/or contact them or us directly.
Complaints :
FLORIDA Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation
1940 N. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-1395
Fax: 850-922-6959
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http://www.fantasticsams.com/
http://www.orlandobbb.org
Fantastic Sams #12
11700 San Jose Blvd., Suite 12
Jacksonville, FL 32223
Phone Number: (904) 880-4848
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fdahdye.html
"The patch test involves putting a dab of hair dye behind the ear or inside the elbow, leaving it there for two days, and looking for itching, burning, redness, or other reactions.
"The problem is that people can become sensitized--that is, develop an allergy--to these ingredients," Lambert says. "They may do the patch test once, and then use the product for 10 years" before having an allergic reaction. "But you're supposed to do the patch test every time," he says, even in salons.
Michelle Meadows is a staff writer for FDA Consumer. "
Good Luck, Gretchen!