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Aveda Institute Victoria
Category: Education Specialty Schools Cosmetology Schools Cosmetology Schools [Edit]
1402 Douglas StVictoria, BC V8W 2G1
(250) 386-7985
One review for Aveda Institute Victoria
1 review in English
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Review from Jennifer E.
6/23/2011
After searching for someplace to have a facial while on vacation, I called the Aveda Institute. I spoke to the scheduler, who discussed prices & quoted me $30 for an hour facial by a student. When I arrived at the Salon, I was taken to an upstairs room with curtained-off areas. The space is obviously very old and is not in great shape. The massage table was older, as was all the equipment (including a facial steamer with a very loud ticking timer). Since this is was a student facility, I didn't think too much of it- I figured that $30 was a decent price given the level of experience and the atmosphere. The aesthetician was fine- she seemed a little unsure at times, but I thought she was a student, so no big deal. After the facial, she tried very hard to sell me several Aveda products.
When I was went to the counter to pay, I was told my total was over $100. I told the girl at the counter that was significantly higher than what I was quoted. She told me I was not being truthful. I then showed her the Institute's website on my phone (where I had found their information in the first place), which clearly showed the $30 price. She told me that was student pricing, and and they were not offering it at that time and the person who took my appointment had made a mistake. I told her that I expected to pay what I had been quoted, and wished to speak to a manager. At this point she started acting quite rude, and just kept telling me she WAS the manager, and that I would have to pay that price. I insisted that I would NOT be paying a different price then what I had been initially told. She finally told me she would take 20 percent off, which I also rejected, since that would still have been more than twice my quoted price. Finally she rudely took my card & I paid the price I had been told on the phone.
For $30, this was an okay facial. I really like Aveda salons & products, so for that price, with the expectation that a student would be providing the facial in a school-type environment, it wouldn't be so bad. For $100, though, I would have been VERY unhappy. The atmosphere/environment was cold (water stains on the walls, dirty windows, no individual treatment rooms- just curtained dividers) & it was not your typical "spa" experience. The customer service from the manager was awful. I would possibly recommend this salon for a student facial (probably worth the $30- do not expect anything special, though) but DEFINITELY not for a "professional" treatment. You could probably get a similar facial in a MUCH better environment & feel more pampered. If you want a truly relaxing and posh experience, avoid this salon!
