Despite appealing discounts and perks, consumers are warned about the potential pitfalls of salon packages.
In light of the recent closure of Bling Bling Nails in Ang Mo Kio, netizens are raising alarms about the risks associated with beauty and hair salon package deals, which can lead to financial losses for customers. Reports indicate that the nail salon garnered 50 complaints between October 1, 2021, and June 20, 2022, from clients who were left without refunds for unused services. The total value of these unutilized packages exceeded S$40,000, as highlighted by Melvin Yong, President of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), in a statement to Mothership on June 22.
The complaints revealed that another salon, Collate Nails, refused to honor the remaining packages even after Bling Bling Nails had assured clients that the new ownership would continue the service agreements. Cherie Yu, the founder of Collate Nails, explained during a Facebook Live session on June 21 that she opted to acquire the Ang Mo Kio location to avoid starting a new venture from the ground up.
According to Yu, Bling Bling Nails owner Low Kaining acknowledged the existence of unused service packages, although they were expected to be quickly utilized by clients. She detailed that for every S$300 spent, customers would receive S$800 worth of credit, with some packages offering discounts of up to 50%.
Yu expressed concerns that adhering to the previous pricing and package conditions would jeopardize Collate Nails’ financial stability. She advised clients who were unable to resolve issues with Bling Bling Nails to seek assistance from CASE.
In the meantime, netizens have voiced their apprehensions regarding such beauty packages, labeling them as precarious deals. One Facebook user, Kevin Goh, commented, “Once you buy a package, you become a second-class customer because they are more interested in serving new customers who have not paid.” His comment resonated with over 155 likes, emphasizing the sentiment that paying customers often receive less attention and fewer desirable booking options.
“Never ever take a package with all these beauty and hair salon services!” urged another user, Kelvin Tan. “They can close down anytime! It’s better to pay for each visit and ignore any discounts offered.”
Joreen Sim echoed this sentiment, cautioning, “Never buy a package, especially during uncertain times. You never know when they might shut down or claim that a new company has taken over. Previously signed packages often go unused unless you purchase another package from them—it’s all a scam.”
