So here's the deal. In April 2012, I am approached by an Advantage Marketing rep selling a special package deal for Salon Revive in Bountiful. It's a phenomenal deal...for 4 separate services-- hair... Read More
So here's the deal. In April 2012, I am approached by an Advantage Marketing rep selling a special package deal for Salon Revive in Bountiful. It's a phenomenal deal...for 4 separate services-- hair design/condition/scalp massage/cut/color/style (that's the first of the 4!), a facial (that's the 2nd) , a 30 minute swedish massage (the 3rd) , and a manicure (the 4th). All for the low low low price of...$48.00! Looks and sounds like a terrific deal, right? Yup, so I purchased it. I drove away with my coupon and receipt, thinking I'll wait a while and call sometime during the summer to collect. The coupon specifically stated the date of purchase as simply "4/12" and the expiration date as simply "8/12." There was NO date in the month of August given as a "specific" expiration date, so I figured, well, it must be good *through the month of August.* Any reasonable person would have thought the same. By mid to late August I've had a busy summer and I'm ready to start collecting on my goodies. So, I call the number on the coupon. It's been disconnected, with NO forwarding phone number. Bad sign, but I don't give up there. I google the business and find an alternate phone number through Facebook. So I call...and I get through. I explain to the girl who answered the phone that I have this terrific certificate/coupon and would like to cash in. Ohhh, not so fast-- I'm told the salon is under new ownership and that certificate *expired* August *1st*. It also just happens to turn out that the person I was speaking to, Emily, is the new owner, and took ownership on...drum roll...August *1st*. Interesting coincidence, don't you think? So here's the deal. I'm OK with new ownership. I'm NOT okay with new ownership that doesn't plan to honor the certificates that hundreds (potentially) purchased for your newly acquired salon. It's bad business sense to simply diss all your new would be customers and clients in the name of "there's a new boss in town, so that's how I'm going to call it." I told Emily the expiration date on the card simply read "8/12." There was NO specific date given, so I felt she needed to honor it. After I got a bit angry, only *then* was she willing to consider honoring the certificate I had purchased by offering me a "mini Mani-Pedi" (no soaking, just a massage of feet and hands/paint nails). Yeah. I can do that at home. What is a mani-pedi without a good soak?! It was a pathetic attempt to appear "nice" and satisfy an already very angry would-be customer. Bottom line -- if you acquire a business, have enough business sense to honor any remaining certificates that might be "out there" from the actions of a previous owner. You will only turn off any new clients, and get yourself a bad review in the process. Read Less