Posted by unregistered user at 9/13/07 7:47 a.m.

You might want to check out this article about giftcards:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001966397_gift27m.html

Posted by Moses Lake mom at 9/13/07 8:13 a.m.

I've never heard of a gift certificate that expires so quickly. Usually they're for a year, at least.

I had a certificate I almost forgot to use one year, for the exact same reasons you listed: new mom, no time, etc. I ended up remembering it two weeks before Christmas (when it was going to expire) and I had an incredibly diffictult time making an appointment for anything! I really wanted a pedicure (they give the BEST pedicures), but that was impossible that time of year. I ended up getting a facial and got a chemical burn on my face in the process.

Husbands can be so sweet, but they need to remember to include child care with the package.

Posted by Janna Cawrse at 9/13/07 8:41 a.m.

Thought I'd make that commenter's link hot so I can go on over and check it out:
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews
/2001966397_gift27m.htm

Posted by Janna Cawrse at 9/13/07 8:50 a.m.

Bummer. That link is no longer working. A quick search didn't come up with anything on their site either. Very curious what the article said...

Thanks for the sympathy, Moses Lake Mom. Your chemical burn story made me say OUCH.

To show you what a a loser I am, I actually HAVE child care I could have used while getting my massage et al, I just always filled that time up with work stuff instead. I SHOULD have used at least a little time to pamper myself--especially when it was already paid for, AND a gift from Mr. R. STUPID STUPID STUPID

Posted by MoonchildChrys at 9/13/07 9:11 a.m.

Oh I've done things like that so many times, and I don't even have kids or anything! It just happens. I do think that it's pretty lame of them not to honor it a few days late. Especially like you said, if they're an independent business trying to build up clientele, it would seem like basic good business practice.

I worked at a department store once. They're a widespread chain, especially now, and when I worked there, the store was just opening up (and oh man, how I liked working there better before it opened, give me labor over customers any day) and as part of our training, they went over this issue extensively - not just gift cards but also customer complaints, returns, etc. Their philosophy at the time was, if you make the customer happy, they will leave the store with positive feelings about the store. They will come back, tell their friends to come back. They very strongly felt that was more important than possibly losing some money by sticking to rigid rules. The emphasis was on a positive shopping experience. I think that's probably good all around advice.

I definitely wouldn't go back to that spa. It just seems so pointless to not honor the GC.

Posted by unregistered user at 9/13/07 10:42 a.m.

Washington has a very extensive and customer friendly law governing when and if a gift card or certificate is able to have an expiration date or maintenance fees usually charity, rewards programs etc. You might want to look up the law depending on how much you want your massage.

Posted by sea corp at 9/13/07 12:55 p.m.

Argh! Seriously? You didn't ask to speak with the manager? Wondering if the receptionist was making an 'executive decision' that the management or ownership of the spa wouldn't necessarily support. I'm thinking I might call to check on that or, better, write a letter (I know that if you don't have time to make the appts, you surely don't have time to write a letter!). And, I would certainly publish their name. You're holding yourself responsible for your decisions (blowing off making the appointments), why not hold them to the same standard?

Posted by sea corp at 9/13/07 12:56 p.m.

And another thing - girlfriend, you better treat yourself right! (Or at least let your husband treat you right...)

Posted by Susan Metters at 9/13/07 2:50 p.m.

I've got to echo what the others are saying. Yes, you screwed up by allowing the thing to expire. But any good business will know that practicing "the customer is always right" philosphy will pay off for them long-term.

Aside from that, did the gal on the phone need to be so cold and condescending? (BTW, I tried to use another word to describe her that started with a capital B but I guess the PI thinks that is profanity and wouldn't let me post it. Ha!) I mean really, if she couldn't do anything about it, she could at least have been nicer about it. That would have given you a better impression of them. You know, something like, "Oh I'm so sorry ma'am. I truly wish I could do something. I completely understand having a little one to take care of. My hands are tied, though. Please do consider treating yourself to a massage anyway. You deserve it!" You'd walk away from that conversation thinking, "Yeah I screwed up and I knew they probably couldn't do anything, but man she was nice, and she's right about me deserving a massage!!!" You get the picture. Regardless of their policy the attitude was uncalled for.

I agree with Sea Corp - call back and ask to talk to the manager. And make sure you tell them about the condescending attitude. If you find that the manager is just as cold and condescending, then DEFINITELY publish their name because I don't want to go to a spa where I'm not treated like a queen! (That's what spas are supposed to do, right? Make us feel like queens?)

Okay Janna, the pressure is on now. We expect to see a follow-up blog hearing what happened when you called the manager.