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Dog Grooming Rant - Long
I bought a Living Social deal for ComeSitStay a few weeks ago. Yesterday I took my 2 Golden Retrievers there for grooming. I had a horrible experience and want to know if you guys think I should call and complain.
So when I get there I have my 2 Goldens and my 2 kids with me. There's a sign on the door that says about letting the doggie daycare dogs roam around the building so they keep their front door locked during business hours and to please the ring bell. Well another lady was leaving with her kid while I was coming so I didn't have to the ring the bell. There's also a baby gate at the entrance to the door. While trying to get my 2 kids and 2 dogs in the door and that lady trying to get out and mess with the baby gate, one of the doggie daycare dogs escaped. There was no employee to be found. The other lady chased the dog. Finally an employee came out, and I told her that a dog had escaped. She cussed (in front of my kids), and ran out the door. After a few minutes she got the dog back and came in. There were dogs and cats just roaming around this place, which I thought was a little weird because you never know how a dog that's coming into be groomed is going to behave and react around other animals. My dogs were fine, but I still thought it was strange.
I explained to her that I wanted my dogs to just be cleaned up around their paws, butts, and ears. My bigger dog, Bailey, needed a little more trimming, and I explained that.
I came back later to pick them up, and the groomer came out to help me. She told me that my Living Social wasn't going to cover the cost because my bigger dog was going to cost $10 more. I asked why, and she explained that she had more hair that they had to get out. I was a little annoyed that they didn't tell me this upfront, and I told her that, but I did understand. So she brings my dogs out, and I was horrified. They pretty much shaved my bigger dog. Actually shaving would have been better than what they did. It seriously looks like my 5-year-old took a pair of kid scissors and started snipping away at her. Her hair is so choppy and looks terrible. The groomer said that she had to cut her a little shorter because of some matting around her butt. I was ticked!
The groomer also was laughing about the fact that they had my dogs in some room, and my smaller dog figured out how to open the door so my dogs were running around crazy, and the ladies there didn't realize it for some time. Awesome!
Another thing that happened is they have a bowl of dog food just sitting out in the lobby. As soon as they let my dogs out there they start scarfing down the food. I got them to quit, but I thought this was weird because some dogs are on strict diets.
To top it off, when we got home my dogs drank 3 LARGE bowls of water. They were at this place for 4 hours, and I think they never gave them any water.
Do you guys think I should call and complain, or should I just let it go? I guess I got what I paid for, but some of this stuff is just unacceptable in my eyes.
Re: Dog Grooming Rant - Long
I'm surprised you had that experience and think you should definitely call and talk to them. I've been to them twice (once when they first opened and once with my Living Social) and I had great experiences. The dogs/cats running around was not a concern to me when I went there, our vet does the same thing (and my dog is not other animal friendly, but he does surprisingly well in those situations). I think that your call should be with regards to the treatment of your pets. The fact that they butchered hair on one, the lack of water, etc. Like Julie said, they will likely not change their overall business practice with dogs running loose, but you should at least express your concern over the service you received for your pets and make sure you tell them what you expect, for example, that you are calling Living Social for a refund, or that you would like a free service.
Good luck!
I would second the suggestion about the BBB, I've had two consumer issues successfully resolved with them in the past. I would call them first to see if they will resolve it though...
At my groomer, they have an in depth discussion about what they are going to do..when I pick my dog up they are always careful to make sure I am satisfied and have even given a few more snips to my dogs ears if they noticed they weren't perfectly even..their suggestion not mine. In addition, if they are going to charge extra (ie. for matting or something) they tell me in advance..not after I pick the dog up.
My dog is always excited to see me, but I always feel good about the care she's been given.
Since the place is fairly new, I think you should call and let them know your concerns. It's only fair to them. At least give them the opportunity to rectify the situation. To me, calling the BBB is what you do when a company makes no effort to fix a bad experience, they don't return your calls, etc.
Married the love of my life 6/3/06
Became a family of three 8/25/09