Poor service, not poor branding, is Crosstown spa’s problem
While reading Jin-ah Kim’s article on Crosstown Center (“Crosstown Center: A work still in progress,” Jan. 24, 2008), I was appalled to see the statement made by Yvonne Jones, owner of Halisi Day Spa & Salon, that she has had difficulty drawing customers. Please allow me to inform you as to why Ms. Jones’ business hasn’t taken off as expected.
First, you have to have trained staff to accommodate clientele. Secondly, you have to have cash on hand for purposes of making change for clients. Thirdly, you have to have the necessary equipment and supplies to service clients.
Let me explain (in brief). I saw the advertisement in the Boston Herald informing the public about Ms. Jones’ business. “Wow,” I said. “Let’s go check this place out.” I wanted to see how satisfied I would be with a manicure and a pedicure. If I were satisfied, I was going to purchase, as Christmas gifts, a full service package for three. Well, I called and made an appointment for three. I was told there would only be one nail technician at that time. I said okay.
Upon arrival, we found that the equipment was in need of repair, some of it not working at all. Needed supplies were limited, if in stock at all. And the “technician” wasn’t licensed, had never done pedicures, and had only done manicures in beauty school, which she was still attending.
The student serviced us all at the same time, and with the same utensils that she washed … by hand … in the bathroom. I’ve never been to a nail parlor that didn’t even have dryers. Nope. None.
We only stayed because this young lady had been asked to come in specifically for us, and she was working for tips only! Imagine that — Ms. Jones wasn’t even paying her.
Next, the payment process. My daughter was paying first. She submitted her credit card, and was asked by Ms. Jones if it was for all three. She said no. She was asked again. Again, she said no. The card was processed, and guess what? Yes, it was for payment for three. Our friend and I then asked for change to repay my daughter; we were told we had to go next door to another vendor for that.
That wasn’t enough. After receiving the change, at the same time we were putting aside the tips we were going to give the student, Ms. Jones asked, “Aren’t you going to tip her?” She repeated this twice, for we were speechless and dumbfounded that she inquired.
Our experience, to say the least, was an extremely unprofessional, disappointing, degrading and unrewarding one. Oh, yes — Ms. Jones charged us $30 each. She said she gave us a $5 discount for our inconvenience.
She is a rude and unprofessional person. That is an ideal spot for someone that wants to have a business and make it work. I love the Crosstown Center; I only wish she did.
We need a full-service salon in our neighborhood, and that’s a prime location — please see if we can get one other than Ms. Jones’. It would also be nice if they could validate for parking. You get it free for an hour, but I don’t know of anywhere that can service you in that short span of time — not unless, of course, you leave with wet nails.
Geauanne M. Hill
Via e-mail
