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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain about this massage?

35 replies

Mosschops30 · 08/12/2013 17:46

I've never complained about one before, feels a bit weird.

Booked myself a full body massage at a spa I've used for 5 years. I've had a bad year and thought I'd treat myself.

Therapist started 15 minutes late, room was cold, bright light on, it was rushed, slap dash, rough and not in the least relaxing. At the end (after 45 mins, should have been an hour) she turned the bright light back on!!

In comparison the girl who did my facial later was amazing, didn't rush, very methodical, low lighting etc.

It left me with a headache which has taken all weekend to shift

AIBU to complain and what do I say? Don't want the girl to get into trouble but she could deffo use some training

OP posts:
LemonDough · 08/12/2013 17:48

That reminds me, I must return my diamond shoes as they're way too tight Xmas Grin

cheval1980 · 08/12/2013 17:48

Well if she didn't want to get into trouble she should have made an effort to do her job. Why take it upon yourself to be the one to suffer due to her incompetence?

Sleepyhoglet · 08/12/2013 17:51

You need to say something, perhaps write a letter, both positive and negative. Mention the facial but also why you won't be rebooking a massage

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 08/12/2013 17:51

Actually lemon I'm a single parent, getting a divorce and have had the shittiest year ever which is why I went for a day spa on a groupon voucher and paid extra for treatments

But thanks for your non judgemental comment

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 08/12/2013 17:53

Spa massages usually cost a fortune so YANBU to complain. I would ask for another one - it costs them nothing to do and would be a gesture if goodwill. Apart from anything, they at least owe you 15 mins!

Why didn't you complain at the time?

And LemonDough, if you've nothing constructive to add, then please don't come on and try to make the OP feel silly.

Josie314 · 08/12/2013 17:55

YANBU. Her job is to make you feel pampered and relaxed. She did the opposite. Complain.

DoYouLikeMyBaubles · 08/12/2013 17:56

If you're unhappy, complain. Although you probably should have done it at the time. It doesn't sound the best of massages, but the light thing and the weekend headache is a bit dramatic.

Sleepyhoglet · 08/12/2013 17:59

Lemon your comment was unkind. If a good/service doesn't meet expectations then the customer should be allowed to complain regardless of whether it came from pound shop or Gucci!

BrownSauceSandwich · 08/12/2013 17:59

LemonDough, I'm sure you never spend money on any luxuries, and when you don't get what you pay for, you thank the people who shafted you and give them a tip.

OP, you were cheated. If your masseuse was just having an off day, that's for her to discuss with her employer. You shouldn't have to pay for a service you didn't receive.

freckledleopard · 08/12/2013 18:01

Definitely say something! A massage isn't cheap and should be relaxing, calming and make you feel good. Judging by what you say, it was none of those things and you should feel aggrieved. I'd certainly mention it.

Rosesarebeautiful · 08/12/2013 18:16

I've complained about a massage before. Couldn't quite believe I was doing so, but they're not cheap and they are supposed to relax you, not make you more tense.

Sleepthief · 08/12/2013 19:04

What the fuck is it with all the 'diamond shoes' comments lately? It really is the height of cuntishness Hmm. Especially about this kind of thing. FFS she's hardly complaining that the nanny stuck her cashmere jumper on spin cycle!

OP YANBU. Sounds like shoody service. I would complain while stressing the contrast with how good the facial was. Hope you get satisfaction Smile

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 08/12/2013 19:08

Many thanks for that, I will do an email.
Certainly praising the girl who did my facial, she was vv good

OP posts:
Tapiocapearl · 08/12/2013 19:55

Often spas and hotels use newly qualified cheap therapists but charge people the earth for their services.

Smoorikins · 08/12/2013 20:02

Its a massage not an Aston Martin. Massage is stress reducing, health promoting, good for body and soul, with many studies showing that the benefits of massage are real and tangible.

The diamonds shoes comment just smacks of either jealousy or ignorance. Whichever, its completely unnecessary.

I think you should complain, but definitely highlight the positives so that it is clear you arent just after a freebie.

pigletmania · 08/12/2013 20:07

Blimy aren't we allowed to amoer ourselves from time to time Hmm, even us working class folks like a bit of luxury, op has had a bad year so deserved one. I would complain to te company, telephone followed by e mail.

OHforDUCKSchristmascake · 08/12/2013 20:13

OP please complain.

When my first born was 6 weeks old I treated myself to a massage even though I really could afford it but I had been struggling with motherhood and mum was visiting to could hold the baby for a bit.

It was awful, same as you cold bright room. I told her I was breastfeeding and she said "oh, arent there some oils you cant use when breastfeeding?"

I dunno dickhead, this is your profession.

The massage was awful. Really really fucking painful, I didnt go in with back issues, I just wanted to relax but I had a week of pain after that massage, she really really fucked my back up.

I seriously regret not complaining. I wish I had.

moldingsunbeams · 08/12/2013 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WhoNickedMyName · 08/12/2013 20:17

Sour Lemon.

YANBU. You should complain. If they're at all reputable they will at least offer you a freebie.

tinkertaylor1 · 08/12/2013 20:19

moss say something. I had a stiff neck and thought a nice massage would sooth it. She put my neck in to spasm, had to have two weeks of work. DH called me Robocop. I didn't complain as her room burnt down a week later due to a left on candle Shock

You paid for a service, you wasn't happy with it.

sapfu · 08/12/2013 20:25

Lemon are you the rough handed masseuse and are there any other Chandler Bing quotes you'd like to use?

Yes, complain, Mosschops. If you've been a customer for 5 years they won't want to lose you. Plus you can take the opportunity to praise the therapist who did your facial.

If someone before you had complained, maybe you'd have been spared the horrid massage.

Xfirefly · 08/12/2013 20:26

I work in a spa.

please complain. some complaints we get are ridiculous but your reasons are totally acceptable reasons. if we run 15 minutes late ( trust me therapists are rushed off their feet back to back treatments) then we have to go over 15 minutes. ask the spa if the hands on treatment time was an hour or if the treatment time was an hour. our hour treatment includes time to get ready and dressed, consultation and aftercare, then the hands on for 50 minutes.

the girl may have a talking to about this but hopefully she will learn from the mistake.

TwinkleSparkleBling · 08/12/2013 20:54

I had similar with a facial and pedicure I had as a treat when DD1 was a few months old.

The pedicure took place in the reception area which was ok at a push but the manager and two other staff members loudly discussing the weekly rota and shortcomings of other staff members did not make for a relaxing time.

I wrote a letter of complaint and just received a "yeah, yeah"reply. That's why I would never go there again and tell people how awful their care was.

So no YANBU to complain.

Original poster
Mosschops30 · 09/12/2013 19:52

I emailed the spa and they contacted me today. Manager was most apologetic and said that's not the kind of experience they want their guests to have.

Been offered a 1 hour treatment of my choice free of charge.
Am definately going to see the lovely therapies who did my facial Smile

OP posts:
MrsDavidBowie · 09/12/2013 19:58

Oh that's good customer service!!!
I am off to a spa for four days next week...Lemon will be Shock at that.
Grin
i have 4 treatments booked ........