THE HAIR CLUB - HCM CHARGED ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A HIGH PRICED WIG MEMPHIS Tennessee
The Hair Club does not tell you what you are really getting for your money because if they were honest with you up front, then they would not get any business.
I was lead to believe that I was going to receive a "strand by strand" transformation for my money. The sales pitch was fast and because you are so vulnerable you do not insist to ask too many questions. The questions that you do ask are not honestly answered, but you don't find that out until after your first application. By then they already have your payment or downpayment of well over a thousand dollars.
I went for 5 months. I did not qualify for their credit plan, so I was having $314.00 every two weeks deducted from my debit checking account. After only 6 weeks into the plan, they came and enticed me with better hair, so I upgraded to $399.00 every two weeks. Oh by the way, they give you a very low grade of hair to start you out so that they can keep coming to you every month or so to upgrade to a higher paying plan. Of course you want the better hair so in most cases you will upgrade to as far as you financially can.
That is what I did until I finally came to my senses. I was surfing the net one weekend and found that what the hair club was giving me was a monofilament wig that anyone can buy on the internet a different websites for under $200.00 because they all are on sale on the internet.
So I sent them a letter by mail three weeks ago asking for a refund of the first of two payments every month because I was not coming back. They told me when I joined that I could cancel at any time, and that if I was not satisfied for any reason that I could get a money back guaranteed.
So far my letter has gone unanswered, and at this point I want my entire money back which is approximately $4500.00.
If anyone is reading this that can get me my money back, then please, I desperately welcome your assistance. I don't mind a lawsuit at all if this is what it will take.
EMILY
MEMPHIS, Tennessee
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Clueless!!
Hendersonville,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
No such luck on the refund....but you REALLY aren't entitled
#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, August 23, 2008
I would like to start by saying that I am a former employee, and have absolutely nothing to gain by this rebuttal. I simply don't like to see a story so one-sided. Especially when the side shown is VERY misleading.
Yes, when you go to Hair Club for the first time, you are given a 'basic' system. But I can assure you that it is not the hair itself that is, as you say, 'lower grade' or 'better'. It is the base to which the hair is attached that is different. (And yes, it IS attached 'strand by strand'!!) The initial system is made with a thicker, more durable base. There is a very logical reason for giving a new client this thicker base to begin with. A new client has to learn how to take care of the system, and become accustomed to the feel of it on the head. The system is designed to hold up to rough treatment(scratching, pulling, etc.), and they last a long time for people unable to afford the higher programs. The higher programs don't offer a higher grade of hair, they offer a thinner base material. These thinner bases are designed for better breathability, and an INCREDIBLY realistic hairline. (I am NOT getting this from an ad, I was amazed every time I applied one of these) The maintenance on the thinner bases is higher, however. The different adhesives used on the thinner base don't last as long as the poly-based adhesive used on the thicker base, requiring the client to come in for adjustments more frequently. Also, the thin base(not much thicker than a good pair of your grandmother's support hose) naturally, doesn't last nearly as long as the thicker base. This means that they have to be replaced more often. These are options that you may decide to upgrade to, and in doing so, you will pay a higher monthly price.
Now, to broach the subject of cancellation, you ARE able to cancel at any time. This is nation-wide Hair Club policy. You ARE NOT entitled to a full refund, however. You received a product AND a service to which you agreed to pay for in writing. You did not mention that you had a problem with either. You simply decided that you no longer wished to pay the price it is offered at. Tell me, if you go to a car dealership and allow a salesman to talk you into buying a Lexus, will you be allowed to get a refund for the money you have paid for it after driving around for 6 months, simply because you don't want to make the high monthly payment anymore? Never. And if you decide you don't want to make payments on it anymore, you will have a serious drop on your credit score! At least with Hair Club you don't get penalized for early contract termination! You simply walk away.
On to the subject of the online hair. Yes, it is available online, in the same quality that you would get at Hair Club. It is NOT, however a 'monofilament wig'. A wig is meant to be taken off at night and put on one of those nifty styrofoam heads on your nightstand. These systems are designed to stay on through showers, windy days, and sweaty afternoons while you do the things you enjoy-all without worrying about your hair falling off into the buffet at your local Chinese restaurant. The systems you can purchase online are great, and you can buy one for considerably less than you pay every month to your local Hair Club. As I said before, I worked at Hair Club. I met the man I am now married to there. Great looking fellow. I left Hair Club because I married him and we moved away. I now purchase his systems online!! Here is where the difference between our situation and most of the rest of the general public comes in. I am an experienced(and darn good) 'hair replacement specialist'. I am able to order the system to match his existing hair flawlessly(color, thickness and texture), and make any adjustments that may be needed. I am also able to cut his system to blend with his natural hair. This is NOT an easy task, believe me. Once this is done, I can apply it correctly, so that it doesn't sit crookedly or make him look like he has a tabby cat perched on his head. Many of the online companies offer pre-cut systems, but unless you can sit in front of them every time it is cut, it is only going to look like a bad haircut/color, at BEST. So yes, you can buy the system cheaper than you pay Hair Club monthly, but you have to look at what else you are paying for....the service. Those friendly employees don't work for free! If they are not doing their job to make you look fabulous, then by all means....get on their case! But don't call Hair Club a scam, because it is NOT.
I worked at the Little Rock, AR branch, which is owned by the same people as the Memphis branch you are complaining about. I know the manager there, and she is a very sweet, honest person. Although my husband is no longer a member, my brother-in-law is one at the Nashville, TN branch(also owned by the same people), and he loves it. You are complaining about people who work very hard to provide a quality product and service, when the only problem is your ability(or desire) to pay for it. Not cool. Shame on you for trying to 'scam' your money back. Think more wisely before making financial decisions in future. No one forced you to sign your name on the dotted line.
To anyone reading this who might be thinking of joining Hair Club, I say 'go for it'! It is not a cheap investment, but certainly worth the money you pay.