Ask Mary is an advice column for readers to ask Editor, Mary Hughes, for answers to their spa-related questions. Spa professionals and readers are invited to ask for advice at: [email protected]
Ask Mary
Dear Mary I just had a very expensive facial and the spa aesthetician spoke to me all the way through it! I missed out on my relaxing experience.
Celine, Ontario
Dear Celine,
Facials are my favorite spot treatment and I'm sorry that happened! I love to relax and even fall asleep when I have a facial as it's so important to relax during your treatment. I think it's very important to lay the groundwork when you get into your treatment room at the spa I think it's important to politely tell your spa therapist that you're in need of a rest and you'd like to be quiet during your spa treatment. It is not rude as you were paying for the service. However I take it that you did not do that at the beginning of your treatment so this is a lesson learned. It's very important to tell the front desk if there was a problem during your treatment and to either speak to the owner or manager at that time. I bet you wish you had just genuinely told them at the time of your facial when you were paying for it that you would have preferred the spa therapist not to haven spoken a lot during your treatment that way it allows the owner or manager to make it up to you. Don't give up on a good facial just know next time that quiet is preferred!
Dear Mary,
I recently made a spa appointment at a large big city spa and they asked me for my credit card number over the phone to prepay the service I had chosen, is this a normal procedure?
Amy, British Columbia
Dear Amy,
It is not unusual for a large spa or any spa for that matter to ask for your credit card for you to pay upfront. It's normally protocol for larger spas as no-shows affect their business more as they normally have larger staff, overhead with facilities and can't tolerate clients that don't show up without proper notice. I believe you need to ask at time of booking what their cancellation policy is. If you cancel for a serious reason with notice I'm sure most spas are understanding and if they do make you pay no matter what I'm sure it could be in the form of a credit but ask upfront before you give any credit card information. The good news is if you don't like the policies that they are proposing you can always book your service at another spa.