Shampoodles Salon, Biltmore — Attraction in Asheville

After bringing my last Poodle here for grooming ever since this location opened I lost that dog. 5 months later I took my "new" poodle to this place. I was told to bring her at 9:30. In the past that would have meant she would be done by 11:00. When we arrived I was told that the owner was going to do the grooming, but no groomers were there yet. Worried that I had left my dog there too long because of my own appointment I rushed to get there at 1:30. My dog had only been bathed and blown out. The owner did not apologize, instead he simply said that they had an "emergency grooming". A young woman then said she would have her done within an hour. I left, came back in an hour, after my dog had been in this filthy place for 5 hours. There were nasty, wet human foot-size clots of wet hair all over the floor IN the lobby, with employees simply walking over it all. I left with my dog, who had not even been groomed except for her head, and she left with a big uneven lump of hair on the top/side of her head. I do not believe they touched her otherwise, yet still charged the full price of $100. Unreal. My dog's first grooming experience since I adopted her was a complete disaster for both her and me. So frustrated. My good groomer, Wes was no longer working there. Now to find another groomer, as she didn't actually get groomed! As for the owner's claims, he was not there when I arrived for the appointment, and the employee told me that Wes had left, and that you (the owner) would be doing my dog's grooming. You were not there to "tell me you would call when she was done". I had come here regularly for over two years with no issues at all with grooming my last dog. I expected things to be the same as they had been for over 2 years, up until my last visit in July 2023. It wasn't ME who was in a foul mood until I came to pick my dog up after she had been there for 4 hours only to find out she had at that point ONLY been bathed and blown. I literally cannot tell that any grooming was done except on her head (leaving a big spot longer than the rest of her head) and a bit on her face, but still not close enough and uneven. Ears were not cleaned at all. So yes, I had been a regular customer for some time (2+years) and did expect the same kind of service I had enjoyed during that time. I had been totally satisfied with the groomer, Wes, who is apparently no longer there. I had asked if you still had my former dog's file which had full grooming instructions, and was told yes, and that that same protocol would be followed. It was not. I see other unfavorable reviews from the past 6 months. It's not just me. Why would I want to waste another 5 hours to be treated this way, have my dog go through that, plus travel to get to this nasty, inconvenient place with such a grumpy owner, and end up with a bathed-only dog after...

First, holy cow the owner responses are absolutely wild on here. What a vibe. I can’t wait to see what I get. I just brought my senior dog in for a nail trim as I have before and previously times were without issue. This time was different. I’m shaking. My dog is limping. The girl was very kind but seemed inexperienced. She kindly offered to do the nail trim on the rug out front because my dog was too scared to go in the back. We did it together and the front paws were fine. When it was time to move on to the back paws is when things got scary. I informed her that my dog had severe hip dysplasia and that we had to be very careful. She proceeded to crank my dogs hind legs out wide and back. She yelped in pain. She cut my dogs quick. Blood everywhere. I understand that it happens but being told that “it’s ok it’s normal” is flat out false, even if a dog has black nails. My mother has been a dog groomer for 30 years. Every time she has done my dogs nails her hips are not hurt and she doesn’t bleed. Unfortunately she lives out of state and I don’t see her enough to get my dog taken care of. I stopped her after one paw and followed my gut to stand up for my old girl. I told her repeatedly to be careful with her hips and she dismissed me saying “it’s ok” multiple times and I finally said “ok but it’s really not.” She told me that most people don’t bring in older dogs because it’s too hard on them. What would you like me to do? Not trim my dog’s nails? I have never in my life been told not to get a senior dogs nails trimmed. There was another woman with her dog in the lobby watching with a shocked look on her face. I didn’t ask for it but she let me go without paying. I had my card out. I would have paid - a service was performed that I asked for. I am grateful to be let off the hook in that way and really, the girl working was incredibly kind. I’m just really hurt. My nerves are shot. I understand the plight of a small family owned business, I really do. I work for one here in Asheville. I would usually never write a review but this feels warranted. The idea of “the customer is always right” is outdated. The customer can be wildly, incredibly wrong and frequently are. This is what happened and these are my words on it. There isn’t anything to resolve. This is a message to the fellow consumer. I’m not trying to reach out to the owner because from what I can tell, it would be a very belittling and circular conversation. I have given this place my business before but unfortunately I will not in the future.

In response: to be perfectly clear, as I felt like I already was, she did not stop the service. I did. My dog can stand on her own. She runs. I’m sorry your employee is upset. Feedback is a factor...

Shampoodles on McDowell has been an absolute blessing. Carson has always put my Newfie first, and although Tela, my goofy Newfie, doesn't like go to go the groomers, she is always at ease with Carson. Carson is the best groomer in Asheville, and I can say that with 100% confidence because I have tried them all!!! I don't trust anyone with my baby, except for Carson at Shampoodles. And my Tela trusts Carson and lets her get her business done. I also would love to give a shout out to the owner, Richard. I had a very emotional day today, and gave him an attitude. Little did he know that I had just found out that one of my dogs back in Colorado had to be put down because she could no longer breathe. So I took my heartbreak and frustration out on him. He was pleasant, kind, and extremely understanding. I could not rate this dog Salon any higher. They are 5 * all around. And like I said before, I have had Tela at almost every other "salon" in Asheville. This place will take care of your babies, get them home at a decent time,and will make you want to go back to them in a heartbeat. Thank you Shampoodles for taking...