I purchased two $25.00 gift cards for my mom for Christmas. I thought that she wanted to get a perm. I gave her the gift cards but she did not want to go to the Salon.

I returned to the salon the day after Christmas with my gift cards and receipt. I was told they didn't refund gift cards. I asked if I could make a small purchase and get the rest of the case back but that was not acceptable either.

I noticed a sign on their wall indicating all refunds must be accompanied by original receipt; I took out my phone w/camera and snapped a photo of that sign. I pointed to the sign and politely told her that she was looking to a lot of trouble if she did not honor the sign. Then I left.

Next to that sign was another sign with an 800# on their wall pertaining to customer care. I called the Regis number and was told the cards were non-refundable as stated on the back of the gift card. Now I found out that there was something in writing about the policy.

This is what irritates me alot:

1. They should be refundable. This is a rip-off to consumers. If you have your receipt, your money should be refunded. This is just plain stealing.

2. The gift card is mounted on a 6x4 piece of cardstock for presentation (or so it appears). The back of the mounting has a small window that shows the bar code. There was no indication of anything else on the card. But, in order to see the small, silver printing on the white card, you would have to remove the glued on gift card from the cardstock. Then find a magnifying glass enabling you to read the printing that states it is non-refundable. In my opinion this is strategically placed to conceal their policy.

3. There are no visible signs in the shop indicating the gift cards are non-refundable. However there is a sign mounted behind the register that states all refunds must be accompanied by the original receipt. Which lead me, the consumer, to assume the gift cards were refundable.

This is my first experience with this type of rip-off. I am very upset and frankly I would be relish the opportunity to get involved with any group that

sees this as a major rip-off to consumers. We need to get some laws passed that would protect consumers from losing their hard earned money in this way.

This is nothing less than stealing.

Any ideas about how to go about making and passing a law to bring an immediate halt to this practice? I'm a senior citizen, I'm not shy, and at this point raising a little Hell would be some type of compensation for all of my aggravation.

Patricia

Jasper, Indiana

U.S.A.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Smart Style Family Hair Salon

6 Updates & Rebuttals

Paper

Las Vegas,
Nevada,

I paid for a $50.00 gift card

#2Consumer Comment

Mon, April 28, 2014

SmartStyle has charged me in a crazy way for my last two haircuts ..... which total more than $15.00 each. Each time I presented my giftcard but they do not take the money off the card and they won't refund it to me either.

brownsong

culpeper,
Virginia,
USA

This is a Rip Off

#3UPDATE EX-employee responds

Wed, November 03, 2010

I don't care how many other salons have a no refund policy, this is wrong. So basically, they have your money but the service is not given. So if a customer walked into a salon and said they wanted a perm and at the shampoo bowl, changed her mind, would they make her pay for it anyway? No matter what, if the customer doesn't want the service, the money paid for it should be given back. Plain and simple.

An eye for an eye. No perm, no money. A big rip off.

Resty

Waunakee,
Wisconsin,
U.S.A.

Hmmmmmm.

#4Consumer Comment

Mon, January 12, 2009

Just because you dont like or dont approve of something doesnt make it illegal or wrong. Anytime you purchase something for someone else you should ALWAYS ask what the return policy is on that item.

J G Shrugged

Austin,
Texas,
U.S.A.

And another $0.02...

#5Consumer Comment

Mon, January 12, 2009

If a company files BK, the gift card holders are considered near the bottom of the barrel of the creditors.... You'd be lucky to get your money back.

Ashley E

Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.

What stores/companies ever refund gift cards??

#6Consumer Comment

Sun, January 11, 2009

I have never in my life heard of a company refunding gift cards/vouchers with the exception of going out of business ( and even then it's very difficult ). What made you think that a gift card would ever be refundable? Not a rip-off at all - just uneducated consumerism. Sorry!

Jennifer C.

Batesville,
Mississippi,
U.S.A.

Sorry this happened--but we're not the only ones

#7UPDATE Employee

Fri, January 09, 2009

Patricia, I'm terribly sorry that you made this purchase only to be told that the gift cards were non-refundable. However, we are not the only company that has this policy. Go into Wal-mart, Target, JCPenney, or anywhere that offers gift cards/certificates and they will tell you the same thing. Once that gift card is purchased and activated, it is in your hands. A refund, if at all possible, makes the company lose revenue because now they're stuck with a worthless piece of plastic. And you've got the money. I'm sure if you owned a company you wouldn't want a setback of that sort. I will say that a sign DOES need to be posted in our salon that the gift cards are non-refundable AND are not allowed "cash-back" from them. And I do agree that Smart Style does have policies, for consumers and employees alike, that are a bit disagreeable and some that are downright silly. I was told I couldn't wear an apron I had purchased at a beauty supply store--for $25, mind you--because it did not bear the company logo. Even though I had worn this in another Smart Style I was employed with and the regional manager was standing right there beside me--and she never said a word about it. Go figure. But the best thing I can tell you to do is forego getting gift cards for family members and settle for outright cash or a check. That way, they can purchase whatever they like from wherever they like and no one gets upset or has to "raise Hell."

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