People are SO frustrating...

[potmunkey]

So today this guy calls, let's call him DB, because he's furious that his son, we'll call him Jr, only got ONE tan for a gift card that DB bought him for Christmas. Since we were running a GC special for the holidays ($5 free for every $30) DB, only paid $30 for said gift card and the gift card in question was only for $35 total.

What's that you say? $35 is too much for one tan? Well it was for one of our HP beds which typically run $39/session. So.. actually, Jr got a deal. (And before ya'll start in, true HP beds in this region generally run $40-$80+)

DB was mad that my employee who was here at the time, did not inform Jr that there were in fact, cheaper beds. I spoke to the employee that tanned Jr, she said the he came in, pointed to our HP bed and said, "I would like a tan in there, please"

DB's argument is that, Jr did not know what he was doing and got taken advantage of. DB also argues that my employee was in the wrong for not telling Jr his other options.

I very politely told DB that I was sorry for the confusion, but he purchased $35 GIFT CARD and that Jr was allowed to spend it how he pleases. If DB had wanted to get a specific package for Jr (he did, 5 pack of Silver beds) that he should have bought the package for him and NOT the gift card. I then offered him a couple of comp'd tans that I would extend as a courtesy.

Here's a part of the convo that I thought was funny:

DB: My son didn't know what he was doing. He's only 18 and he's never tanned before in his life. It is YOUR responsibility to inform him of his other choices.

Me: Well, sir, your son came in and pointed to a specific bed saying that he wanted to tan. My employee could not have known at the time that he had not ever tanned before, just because he was new to our salon doesn't mean he was new to tanning. In my experience, most 18 year-olds have tanned at some point before. If your son had wanted to know what his options were, he should've asked, it's obvious that the bed he used was not the only option. (I have several beds visible from the front lobby)

DB: Well, yes, technically... TECHNICALLY... you are right. BUT you really need to do the right thing here. I mean, what would a reputable business like Nordstrom do?

Me: Honestly, Sir, if he were to walk into a Nordstrom... ask a sales associate to buy a watch and point to the $1200 Fendi watch saying "I want that one" . . . I really don't think the SA would ask him if he also wants to see the $300 and $400 Fendi watches. He would simply show it to him, wrap it up and say "Thank You"

Anyway... after about 10 more minutes of arguing, I finally told him that Jr could have a week of complimentary tanning in the Silver beds. Jr would have to take advantage of the week that was given him and that after it expired, it was done.

It was pretty obvious to me that DB had bought the GC with the intention of Jr to buy a specific package and Jr had not. DB was mad that Jr made a bad choice and was taking it out on us.

Thanks for reading my long tirade...

Do any of you think my employee was really in the wrong? We're not mind readers here, I don't really think it was her fault that she didn't tell Jr about his other options... he should have asked, right?

[synergistik]

No way were you in the wrong, and you were being very generous by giving him a week of free tanning. Like you mentioned, if his dad wanted his son to choose a specific package, he should have either purchased that package or went to the salon with his son.

[phoenixrising]

Yes you aren't mind readers, but did your employee ask if the client had tanned before/tanned in a HP unit? That should have been the first thing the employee should as any new client coming into the salon. You can then go from there.

[potmunkey]

I don't know, if she asked, but I guess I should edit, the bed he used is a hybrid HP bed (Ergoline Classic 650) so people tan in there who haven't tanned in the low-pressure beds since it emits just enough UVB to stimulate melanin production.

I'll have to ask her exactly what she said to him. We do get a lot of tanners that only use the Diamond level beds though.

[jessica.lanelle]

God that is annoying. He is an 18 year old grown man, he needs to be able to figure things out for himself with having his daddy all up in your business. If he had never tanned before, then MAYBE he should have done some research to make sure that he knew what he was doing, or ask the employee some questions. People are not mind readers! Lawdy.

[*golden girl*]

What a douschbag.

[summerglow]

Oh man!!.. yeah you can obviously tell his father bought it for him intending on he used it for the 5 tans not just the hp.. so he took out his sons bad choice on you.

[potmunkey]

Originally Posted by *golden girl*

What a douschbag.

That was the idea... I was just trying to be nice. LOL I knew someone would get it

[Princesa]

I agree with all of the above responses and you were very generous=)

[*golden girl*]

Originally Posted by potmunkey

That was the idea... I was just trying to be nice. LOL I knew someone would get it

And yes, giving a free week of tanning was very generous. I would never have done that! Did dude even buy a lotion? Has he been back?

[potmunkey]

Nope, the kid hasn't even been in. The parents used to be good customers of ours, but haven't been in to tan for awhile. I hope that kid gets some use out of his week, I made it clear that I wasn't going to be giving him anything else after that.

[codajess]

.

[sunshine_bunnie]

what an idiot. people are unbelieveable.

like you said, if his dad wanted him to get more than one session, he should have gotten him a package for that instead of taking the easy road with a gift card. an 18 year old can make their own decisions, especially when it comes to tanning....

you're nicer than me, I don't think I would have given him anything for free...

[potmunkey]

Well, no, I'm not that nice. I just know when to pick my battles.

And I've learned that people are sometimes idiots and it happens more often than not. But an idiots money is just as good as anyone else's. I'd rather give them a few free tans if that means I have now have a loyal - albeit stupid - customer.

[JayBabyK7]

Originally Posted by potmunkey

Me: Honestly, Sir, if he were to walk into a Nordstrom... ask a sales associate to buy a watch and point to the $1200 Fendi watch saying "I want that one" . . . I really don't think the SA would ask him if he also wants to see the $300 and $400 Fendi watches. He would simply show it to him, wrap it up and say "Thank You"

hahahah! I can never come up with witty stuff like that on the spot.

I think it's so silly that this guy would make such a big freakin deal about it.

If I gave someone a gift card for Best Buy and thought 'hey, maybe they'll buy a couple CD's with this' but they decide to buy a camera or something instead, I'm not going to call Best Buy and b*tch at them. I know it's not the same, but still....