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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask them do do it again (gel nails)

28 replies

sarahh899 · 12/05/2022 08:02

Had my nails done (gel) 3 days ago as we're going on holiday tomorrow..
Yesterday morning as I was showering.. 2 came off completely and another 4 are starting to peel off

I thought about leaving it but I've paid quite a lot to have them done and I've had them done before at a different place and they always last 2 weeks at least.

Called the beauty place yesterday to say most of the gel came off and they said they could book me in for today - full price.
I asked if I at least can have them for half the price since they came off after 2/3 days. She said no way even though on the website it's advertised as "lasts 2-3 weeks) and she said it's my nails fault 😂 as some people just don't have the right nails for gel manicure

I almost feel like I want to pop in today and show her how terrible my manicure is and ask for a refund ( or at least try)

AIBU to try and get a refund ?

OP posts:
Catlover77 · 12/05/2022 08:04

Absolutely call in and show them. I would expect them to be replaced

Barkingmadhouse · 12/05/2022 08:08

Absolutely

Indicatrice · 12/05/2022 08:13

You need to get angry, they are making a fool of you.

Ducksinthebath · 12/05/2022 08:17

Don’t get them to redo the nails. Ask them to refund you plus the cost of having the gels soaked off. If they refuse then request again via social media.

If you’re nails aren’t right for gels then how come a good number have been absolutely fine? Chancers.

HappyCup · 12/05/2022 08:17

That’s awful! Definitely go on and request a refund. I wouldn’t get them to do them again though, can you go somewhere else?

mommybear1 · 12/05/2022 08:18

Absolutely go in and complain they should refund you in full that's shocking. I find social media and reviews very helpful in making my point if needed!

Sapphirensteel · 12/05/2022 08:32

Quote the Provision of Goods and Services Act 1982.
“Any materials or goods supplied as part of the service must also be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose. In this way, the SGSA is very much like the Sale Of Goods Act.”
Then say refund and mention Trading Standards.

ShirleyPhallus · 12/05/2022 08:36

Yeah that’s awful. They haven’t prepped your nails properly at all.

MangoBiscuit · 12/05/2022 08:37

I have gel manicures, and only once have I had a nail peel so quickly. The lovely lady who does my nails asked me to send a photo, and asked me to pop in later that day so she could redo it for me, for free.

If they've peeled that quick, maybe oil under the gel, maybe the wrong basecoat for you, maybe the gel was just slightly over the skin which then flexes, the gel lifts, water gets in and it peels.

Either way, they need to replace them for you, or refund you.

worriedaboutmoney2022 · 12/05/2022 08:39

Sapphirensteel · 12/05/2022 08:32

Quote the Provision of Goods and Services Act 1982.
“Any materials or goods supplied as part of the service must also be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose. In this way, the SGSA is very much like the Sale Of Goods Act.”
Then say refund and mention Trading Standards.

I agree
Get a refund and go somewhere else x

USaYwHatNow · 12/05/2022 09:03

My mum is a beauty therapist and she has had one client where her nails genuinely did not take to gel polish. They tried twice but they just peeled. She then had another customer a couple of days later have the same problem which she felt was too much of a coincidence.

My mum did some digging and it turned out that two of her gel polishes were out of date and the quality of the gel had therefore diminished. It may be worth asking them to check as could be an oversight?

It's generally best practice to offer to out it right for free surely?

BobHadBitchTits · 12/05/2022 12:03

I usually do my own but decided to get them done professionally for a wedding. They all peeled off within three days. I got a refund without even showing proof!

They're taking the piss.

Fabpinky · 12/05/2022 12:05

I wouldn’t get them replaced at this place if they lasted longer somewhere else. They’ll just come off again. It’s annoying but I don’t think they’ll give you your money back!

Foolsrule · 12/05/2022 12:22

Mine lasted just over three weeks when I last had them done. DD’s lasted four and that included going swimming. They haven’t done them properly.

princessrapunzel · 12/05/2022 12:40

I have had this trouble before. I tried out a new salon that opened and they peeled off within 2 days, they offered to redo them and again they just peeled off again so i wish i had a refund.
Its never happened anywhere else before or since so its unlikely to be your nails.
Thats really rude that they want you to repay! I hope you get it sorted

Original poster
sarahh899 · 12/05/2022 13:04

Thanks everyone.

I Just got back from talking to them as it's only a 5 min walk. Showed them the state of the nails and they are refusing to refund me as "I've had them for over 24h" 😳 and I should've gone in the minute they peeled off & she's also saying it looks like I've peeled them off myself? 😅 as if I have nothing better to do than cause extra work for myself before a holiday and ruin my manicure.

I did mention that on their website and social media they advertise them as "lasts 2-3 weeks" but she insists it's my nails .. being oily 😅 so it's my fault and I "should learn from this experience and never get them done again as my nails can't take it"

I'm back now with no refund. Sometimes I wish I was a little more argumentative and brave when it comes to this.
She says I can email the owner with my complain which I will do so hopefully something will come out of that.

DH says I should just leave it and just go get my nails done somewhere else and never go back to this place but I feel a refund is necessary in this case. Normally I would just leave it but her unapologetic attitude is making me carry on and email the owner 🙈

OP posts:
JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 12/05/2022 13:17

Was it a different brand of gel to the one you have used before?

I had this problem with a salon that used Leighton Denny gel. I tried a different salon that used different gels and they lasted much better. I wasn't sure if it was the gel or the technique but given that I can get two weeks when I do them myself I suspect it was the gel itself that was the problem.

TunaSalad · 12/05/2022 13:25

I've never heard of them peeling off because of oily nails. That's not even a thing.

Email the owner.

Put pics of your crappy left over manicure all over social media and tag them in it!

MyneighbourisTotoro · 12/05/2022 14:01

Make a huge fuss!
Don’t back down at all and 100% speak to the owner and demand a refund, don’t ask, don’t be too polite, state everything as facts and be firm.

My hair got wrecked by a hairdresser last year, they were rushing, didn’t use the correct products or process and still expected me to pay over for orange hair that should have been pink.
I’ve done better jobs at home! I spoke to the owner, emailed and put everything in writing, showed them what I was told would be achieved compared to the reality and they gave me a full refund.

Don’t leave this, if the gels fell off it’s due to the nail tech not prepping your nails correctly and no other reason.

HappyCup · 12/05/2022 14:05

The oils issue make some sense but that’s why they clean and prep your nails beforehand - to make sure they’ll gel adheres well. So that’s still on them.

Email and if there’s no good response leave a review with photos. Be sure to point out that you’ve had successful gel manicures many times elsewhere.

Suzi888 · 12/05/2022 14:05

Get a refund and get a mylee gel led kit and do it yourself! 😊
They shouldn’t peel off at all. If I get my nails done I always get acrylics as gel doesn’t last that long on me - usually one week. I hate the time it takes to sit there and get them done.

jackstini · 12/05/2022 14:25

People's nail chemistry is different (a bit like hair) but that should be overcome by correct prepping

Did she: push back cuticles, remove the bits of leftover skin where cuticles were, buff the natural oils/shine from nails, wash your hands (without moisturising soap - plain water or washing up liquid), wipe with cleanser to dehydrate, air dry, use a primer before the manicure, not use any cuticle oil or moisturiser until manicure complete?

If not, she didn't prep them correctly

I would definitely go back and state they are not fit for purpose, you did not get what you paid for

(Disclaimer - used to sell gel polish products for a living!)

Xelda · 12/05/2022 14:31

Tell them you're contacting Trading Standards, that often helps! If not then really do contact Trading Standards!

Hamster1111 · 12/05/2022 14:36

That sounds like they've done an utterly shit job. It doesn't even sound like they used gel... no way should gel polish do that. I have mine done every three weeks and they are still in good nick. If they do chip between appointments, the salon fixes them for free. Absolutely email the owner, and if that gets you nowhere take some pics and post them on their social media pages - and say they wouldn't fix them either. Hope you get your nails sorted for your holiday.

Iamanunsafebuilding · 12/05/2022 14:44

TunaSalad · 12/05/2022 13:25

I've never heard of them peeling off because of oily nails. That's not even a thing.

Email the owner.

Put pics of your crappy left over manicure all over social media and tag them in it!

Oily nails is a thing but it's really rare! When I was doing nails (as my full-time job) I had one lady who had been wearing nails with no problems at all until she fell pregnant. We tried different products (gel, acrylic and polish) and nothing would adhere to her nails at all. Once she'd had the baby her nails went back to normal!!

As they peeled off so quickly and easily I'd say they weren't prepped properly.