Despite attractive perks and discounts on services, netizens have warned against hair or beauty salon packages as these can backfire, with the customer losing money.
It was reported that the recent closure of nail salon Bling Bling Nails had sparked 50 complaints between Oct 1, 2021, and Jun 20, 2022, from customers who were not refunded for their remaining nail service packages. The total contract value of said packages is worth over S$40,000, said the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) President Melvin Yong to Mothership on June 22.
The complaints noted that another nail salon, Collate Nails, refused to honour the unutilised packages even after Bling Bling Nails confirmed the new owner would take over the service packages.
Founder of Collate Nails, Cherie Yu, said in a Facebook Livestream on June 21 that she bought the Ang Mo Kio Bling Bling Nails outlet as it would be a better option than starting from scratch.
Bling Bling Nails owner Low Kaining told Ms Yu that there were unused nail service packages, although these would be exhausted by customers quickly.
Ms Yu explained that for every S$300 spent by a customer, they would receive S$800 worth of credit. Some of the packages offered a 50 per cent discount for services.
If they continued to operate according to the previous owners’ rates and package conditions, Collate Nails would go bankrupt, said Ms Yu.
She also said customers who cannot resolve the issue with Bling Bling Nails could approach CASE for assistance.
Meanwhile, netizens said such packages were dangerous discounts to fall into.
“Once you buy a package, you become a second-class customer because they are more interested in serving new customers who have not paid,” said Facebook user Kevin Goh in a comment with over 155 likes.
“But you who has already deposited your $$$ with them, you will be treated like an outcast… the good time slots you want to book are not for you, they are for walk-in customers,” he added.
“Never ever take a package with all this beauty stuffs and hair salon!” said Facebook user Kelvin Tan. “They can close down anytime they want to! Rather pay each time you’re there and ignore the discount they give you.”
“Never ever buy a package. Especially during this kind of period. Don’t know when they will close down. Or they will always say new company take over. Last time sign package cannot use, unless buy another new package from them, blah blah… all bluff,” added Facebook user Joreen Sim. /TISG