Now Accepting New Patients
& Early Morning Appointments for Busy Professionals
From
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BOSTON SCHOOL OF ELECTROLYSIS™ &
BOSTON ELECTROLYSIS™ PRIVATE PRACTICE©
For Safe Permanent Hair Removal
Private Appointments With Kimberly Williams, R.E., Dean
Massachusetts Licensed & Registered Electrologist, 1979
Board Certified Electrologist
"GUEST LECTURER OF HARVARD SCHOOL FROM 1983-1987"
AMERICA’S FIRST COMPUTER
ELECTROLOGY-ELECTROLYSIS SPECIALIST™
THREE COMPUTERIZED TECHNIQUES
SHORT-WAVE-GALVANIC-BLEND
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Conveniently located at 7330 East Earll Drive, Suite J, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Serving Metro Phoenix-Scottsdale-Mesa-Tempe-Glendale, Arizona
Call 480-607-8121
For A No Fee Consultation &
ASK ABOUT MY WRITTEN GUARANTEE OF EXCELLENCE
fivestar@bostonschoolofelectrolysis.com
Now Accepting New Patients & Early Morning Appointments for Busy Professionals
In Scottsdale, Arizona
This article will be frequently updated with more information concerning Sona Medspa and other Laser Parlor closings.
5/4/07 Sona Medspa Update
To All Consumers, "Just Say No To Temporary Laser Hair Removal!"
Salt Lake City Better Business Bureau report about Sona Medspa & Laser Center included in this article.
5/1/07 Update
American Laser Temporary Hair Removal Center have multiple complaints filed against them every where in America. If you go to Rip Off Report at http://www.ripoffreport.com and type American Laser you will be surprised at how many complaints have been filed against American Laser and try the link below for a start.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff206757.htm
More complaints about American Temporary Laser Hair Removal range from disrespectful, unprofessional, poorly rendered services and the above link said this about American Laser. However one customer has commented about American Laser Temporary Hair Removal and said," Buyer Beware All This Company Cares Is About Is Getting Your Money!!!
The Squeaky Wheel at www.thesqueakywheel.com has more bad news about American Laser Hair Removal and just visit the link below.
www.thesqueakywheel.com/Viewcomplaints.cfm?ShowComplaintTypes=BrokenPromises&SortComplaintsBy=Alphabe... -
In addition a woman on Brides.com filed a complaint against American Laser for her Micro-Dermabrasion treatment and said, "So I went in and she reassured me that even though I have extremely sensitive skin that I would be fine for a micro derma-well about 20 minutes and $108 later I felt like my face was on fire, I could not even lay on my pillow." Visit the link below to read the whole story.
http://www.brides.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=37347&tstart=0
EXTRA-EXTRA- 5/1/05 Another Sona Medspa
Bankruptcy
Sona MedSpa
Hyde Park
Tampa, Florida
Another Sona Medspa Shut-down
David Benn, who owned a Sona MedSpa franchise in the Hyde Park Village shopping center Tampa, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last December. The business shut its doors the next day.
Sona Medspa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City Utah Hornswaggles and Jilts 300 plus Customers.
April 2007!
SONA UPDATE 4/30/07
Sona Laser Medspa in Salt Lake City Utah was pursued by the local television “fraud” reporter who followed them out of state. Hounding the owner Anna Osborne about the money they collected collected in pre-paid package treatments that would never be fulfilled. The reporter Mr. Bill Gehaprt did an outstanding of job helping the ripped of consumers and he showed the list of complaints from the Better Business Bureau and interview with Sona Medspa Clients who used the words ‘ripped off’ at least three times during their story. The Sona Medspa owner and franchisee Anna Osborne shed crocodile tears when she commented that it cost it her more $150,000 more a year than she thought it would to run her clinic. Further she stated that all the money was gone and her Sona Medspa franchise was totally bankrupt but there was no mention of where all the money went to?
Needless to say, Sona Medspa International corporate office is trying bury this one in the market. In addition to that Ron Berglund owner of Sona Medspa of Saint Paul Minnesota stated, having been a franchise owner at St. Paul, Minnesota for roughly three years said, "He is now facing personal bankruptcy and financial ruin."
The owner of a Sona Medspa Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City Utah, Anna Osborne finally agreed to pay back some of their jilted customers. However with 300 plus customers and some paying $3,000.00 that adds up to almost million bucks and thats allot more than the $150,000.00 Anna Osborne claimed as her loss?
Don’t say that I did not warn you, or say, “I told you so.” Last year I stated the Laser Parlor Industry and all its franchises are built on a pyramid-financing scheme that eventually will come crashing down. Nonetheless the handwriting is on the wall with the unannounced closing of Sona Medspa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City who closed its doors to folks who paid thousands of dollars in advance only to arrive at Sona Medspa to find its doors locked. It took quite while for those who paid in advance to hear some good news for the former patrons of a Salt Lake City Sona Medspa learned that they will receive some of their money back.
However if want to read more about how Sona Medspa and Radiance Medspa could be in serious financial trouble use the link below and see what the Wall Street Journal has to say.
In addition, the Wall Street Journal Article and sources say Medical Spa Franchises is Medspa sources claim from 30 and up to 50% or more are in serious financial straights and could close down. However go to the link below and read more until this article until is updated on a daily basis considering that other Laser Parlor Temporary Hair Removal chains across America are in danger of shutting down.
http://www.medicalspamd.com/the-blog/2006/11/23/wall-stree-journal-article-on-medical-spa-franchises-medspa-boom-is-a-bust-for-some2.htm
Kimberly Williams, R.E., Dean
Massachusetts Licensed & Registered Electrologist, 1979
Editor, Publisher & Author Of The Five Star Electrologist
Many of the ripped off customers contacted Bill Gephardt of channel www.2utv.com who helped bring Salt Lake City Sona Medspa scams to the attention of Utah state agencies or should we say legal authorities? After Mr. Bill Gephardt stepped in and helped these consumer lodge their complaints they where finally acknowledged. Customers who where locked out where no doubt angry and with good reason filed complaints six or seven months ago after Sona Medspa suddenly slammed it's doors shut without giving their customers the treatments they paid for in advance. After September, Sona Medpsa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City started receiving more complaints by hornswaggled customers who heard about others being reimbursed. This meant that Sona Medspa Laser Hair Removal Center who closed its doors without warning also did not bother to contact all their other customers who had paid them in advance.
Sona Medspa Laser Hair Removal Settlement?
Finally, an arrangement between Sona Medspa Laser Hair Removal Center owner and Utah state authorities said that only certain customers will get money the rest who the do not receive anything will have to chock up their losses to experience. On the other hand its apparent that one of the major problems with temporary laser hair removal franchises like Sona Medspa International is that is an unregulated industry with no state or federal licensing and they are not required to post a bond or some sort of insurance for situations like this.
Given the fact since last September, Sona Medspa customers will find it hard to forget they where greeted with locked doors with a posted note promising that new owner will honor all contracts. Well, well, well I have heard that one before and seven months later and counting there is still no new owner and only worried customers who are out of thousands of dollars. Customer Catherine Bugden said, “ Is scared that we lose all the money we paid in advance" Catherine Bugden is one of 300 and more customers who paid thousands of dollars in advance for temporary hair removal that they never received. Additionally its apparent Sona Medspa Of Salt Lake City Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center was illegally advertising and violating FDA statutes that temporary Laser hair removal cannot be advertised as permanent or painless in any form or manner. So in addition to being ripped off they where misinformed to when they where told by Sona Medspa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City, Utah that temporary laser hair removal is not permanent.
Sona Medspa consumers have been referred to the Department of Commerce where they filed additional complaints against Sona Medspa Of Salt Lake City. On January of 2007, the Division of Consumer Protection cited and filed against Sona Medspa owner, Anna Osborne for failing to provide customer’s services they'd paid for in advance. At present the Director of the Utah Commerce Department, Francine Gianni stated, "The two have come to an agreement for reimbursement." Nevertheless it will not be 100%,” said Ms. Giani. Ms. Giani stated Sona Medspa Laser Hair Removal Center and its owner Anna Osborne had finally arranged to assist the state to round up about $30,000 to divide between the 54 people who actually filed complaints. Ms. Giani said, “We will take each case and take a look at how much they paid plus how many treatments they had and from there try to pro-rate the refunds.
Utah state agencies said it would continue to accept new complaints against Sona Medspa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center. However to the best of my knowledge Sona MedSpa International Headquarters located at 840 Crescent Centre Drive, Suite 260 of Franklin, and Tennessee had nothing to say. Additionally to the best of my knowledge Sona MedSpa International Headquarters have not offered any assistance for their troubled franchise Sona Medpsa Laser Hair Removal Center of Salt Lake City Utah. No action or financial assistance was offered by the by the Sona Corporate Offices which only leads me to believe that Sona Medspa International could be in financial trouble itself. Furthermore it is my professional opinion the handwriting is on the wall and the public perceives Sona MedSpa International could be financial trouble when they let one of their larger franchises collapse?
Is Sona Medspa International In Financial Trouble?
However what doe this mean for the future of Sona Medspa International? The only way I can comprehend the failure of Sona Medspa laser Hair Removal Center in Salt Lake City Utah is that the Laser Parlor Industry in whole is financial trouble. From my observations the miniscule amount of electrologists who proclaimed and switched to the laser in 1995 in the last 24 months have slowly and skillfully changed their advertisements as, “Electrolysis the only method of permanent hair removal that works.” They will most likely get away with it because when people realize the laser does not work they find a real electrologist who did not betray their profession and their fellow colleagues with a stiletto in the back. Additionally consumers who have paid thousands of dollars to “Combination Electrologists Laser Parlor Operators” still have their unwanted hair problems now distrust most electrologists.
One item that irks me the most about Laser Parlor Operators is their wanton greed and avarice where they require you to pay thousands of dollars in advance. A well trained seasoned electrologist charges by each appointment, which is the professional way and any one who requires you pay thousand of dollars up front do not have your best interest at heart. Fact most laser parlor chains employ unethical high pressure professional closers who are a paid a lucrative commissions and once you sign their legal document the laser parlor operator have you right where they want you in addition to the fact you never see the closer again. Laser Parlor Operators technicians who take a one time 50 hour wonder trainee technicians course who have such a high turnover you never have chance to bond and trust with a professional who is familiar with your case. So when the Laser Parlor Operator tells you have to pay in advance ask them to give one good reason why you can’t pay as you go for each separate treatment? If they say no, you say, adios and you will never suffer buyer’s remorse especially when you learn how painful temporary laser hair removal is.
The moral of the story if someone demands payment up front use a credit card so you can dispute being charged for something you didn't receive. I say, as a professional licensed and registered electrologist pay as go you is the best method because if you’re not happy with the service you can always vote with your feet. However make sure your keep your money in your pocketbook so you will not have to fight like the Salt Lake City, Utah Sona Medspa Temporary Laser Hair Removal Center where customers had to fight with to get nothing back or very little of their hard earned money back.
5/4/07 Better Business Bureau Report
Below is copy of BBB Report On Sona Medspa & Laser Center, Salt Lake City Utah
BBB Reliability Report
The Better Business Bureau
5673 South Redwood Road #22
Salt Lake City, UT 84123
(801) 892-6009
www.utah.bbb.org
Sona Laser Center & Medspa
475 West 100 South, Gateway Plaza
(undeliverable 12/05)
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Telephone: (801) 456-7662
http://www.sonamedspa.com/corp/about-locations.cfm
The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report
File Open Date: September 2005
BBB Membership: This company is not a member.
Out of Business
According to information in the Bureau files, it appears that the company is no longer in business. The phone numbers the Bureau had for this company are disconnected, and directory assistance does not have a listing for this company. The Bureau's mail to this company has been returned as undeliverable. If you have an unresolved dispute with this company you may wish to seek legal advice.
Customer Experience
The Better Business Bureau states "When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints."
The Bureau processed a total of 31 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 31 complaints closed in 36 months, 1 was closed in the last year.
Contract Issues
Unpursuable
13 - Company cannot be located.
Billing or Collection Issues
Unpursuable
1 - Company cannot be located.
Service Issues
Unpursuable
5 -Company cannot be located.
Customer Service Issues
Unpursuable
2 - Company cannot be located.
Refund or Exchange Issues
Unpursuable
10 - Company cannot be located.
Government Actions
In April 2006 the Utah Division of Consumer Protection entered into a Settlement Agreement with Anna Osborne and Sona Laser Center (Sona SLC). According to the Settlement Agreement Sona SLC agreed to assist the Division in obtaining tax refund monies that the Utah State Tax Commission is holding for Sona SLC, and has agreed that any such refund monies will be paid to the Division upon execution of the settlement agreement. Sona SLC has also agreed to pay and additional $15,000 to the Division. By entering into this agreement, neither Anna Osborne nor Sona Laser Center (Sona SLC) admit any liability, wrongdoing or violations of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices act.
To All Consumers, "Just Say No To Temporary Laser Hair Removal!"
Kimberly Williams, R.E., Dean
Copyright Boston School Of Electrolysis 2007.
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