European Wax Center Portland

Doesn't Recommend

Katy S.

Joined 8 months ago

I have never written a review before, but this salon is so bad, I felt compelled to prevent anyone from having a similar experience as I did. I'm reviewing on both Yelp and Citysearch.

I first visited the European Wax Center during Premiere Week, which was technically "training week" where they had a soft opening for this new location. The salon itself felt very commercial and I got the feeling they wanted me in and out as soon as possible. I had Jenica for a Brazilian wax. She was nice, but incredibly inexperienced (JUST out of school), and had to have a trainer come in to do part of the wax for her because she didn't know how. They train their waxers to use huge strips of their "comfort wax," and honestly, this was hands down the worst and most painful wax of my life. I've been to a variety of places for bikini waxes, but never have I felt so close to tears (this was after having undressed in the room in front of the waxer, which felt so unprofessional).

Since my visit during Premiere Week was free, I took it for what it was. After talking with a friend who had also been during that week, I decided to take a chance and go back to visit a different waxer (my friend was lucky enough to get Jennifer, who has been waxing for 12 years). I was told that my visit during Premiere Week didn't count for my first visit (EWC advertises free waxes for first-time customers). After confirming upon booking this appointment AND during my confirmation call that this wax would be free, I visited Jennifer this morning. She was wonderful and took a lot of time with me. If you must go to the EWC, see her.

Since my wax was free, I decided to get the ingrown hair serum ($25) and leave a tip. I even made another appointment with Jennifer for 4 weeks later. However, after my appointment, the receptionist rung up my total as $51! I told her that my total should be $30, as I was only purchasing the serum and leaving a tip. She told me then that Brazilians were actually never free, only half price! Thinking there had been some misunderstanding, she called her supervisor who came down and insisted that I pay $21 for the wax itself, even though I had not been told ONCE that I would be charged for it--even upon entering the salon that morning when I double-checked with the receptionist. Neither the receptionist nor the supervisor was the least bit apologetic. I was furious. I have never had such a bad customer service experience. Even if there had been some miscommunication along the line somewhere (which I highly doubt), I should have received that wax for free. I asked to cancel the serum purchase and my next appointment--they've lost any chance of keeping my business.