Tantalize Tanning Lounge — Local services in Ontario

I am with mixed emotions writing this review. I truly love Tantalize and most of the staff are extremely helpful and kind. I find that the new policies around product are becoming wildly tedious and harming the business exposure. If you visit the Instagram of this establishment - you will find that the owner has recently cracked down on utilizing lotions/products from anywhere purchased outside of the establishment itself. Claiming that it is harming the equipment. In other words, people are being denied entry with purchasing lotion anywhere outside of Tantalize. I personally love supporting local and I do follow this rule as a respect for the company. HOWEVER, after the owner showcased a comparison of 2 of the same lotions with different consistency and color - I began conducting my own diligent research. I contacted headquarters of multiple tanning lotion brands and I have found that a lotion purchased from Amazon, Wal-Mart, Australian Gold, ED Hardy, JWOWW, OR Tantalize does not have any ingredient difference whatsoever. This is clearly a money grab and it makes me really sad the way it is being enforced. It would be less embarrassing to just state no outside tanning lotion allowed in general - instead of blaming the customers with lengthy/aggressive IG posts for ruined equipment. A lotion that can be purchased from Australian Gold itself for $40 should not cost $80 in your establishment. There are so many different approaches this owner could take to limit this nuisance and starting with NOT charging customers nearly triple the price of a lotion would be my first guess. I think the owner needs to consider offering a lotion that is more affordable to the demographic of this region. Otherwise, Bahama Mamas is a great alternative for cheaper lotion - still honoring the classic $5 Friday tan AND Sunsetters (although more pricey) is an amazing location with the best beds in the city. Both of these establishments won't hassle you about lotion products so long as they are qualified for tanning beds (and they don't consider purchased from them the only level of...

I went here for a while and really enjoyed tanning here. The front and tanning rooms are nicely decorated and clean. Employees have all been kind, informative, and friendly.

My only complaint is that when asking about how many tanning minutes I had on my account, employees would consistently give me different answers. I imagine this was so they could sell more minutes, but I found this annoying and terribly inconvenient. The answers employees gave me could range from 30 to 70 minutes. I found this frustrating because I wanted to wait for a good sale to buy more tanning minutes. So, when I thought I had 30 minutes left on my account, I spaced out my tanning days by a week or two…. only to find out later that I had 60 – 70 left on my account. So, for new clients, be aware that the information may differ to encourage more purchases. It might be smart to ask if you can see your account info (on the computer) for yourself.

Response to owner: When I say "editing," I mean different employees provided different answers to how many tanning minutes I had. This happened several times. I assume it was to motivate me to buy more tanning minutes. However, I found it extremely inconvenient.

Also, I am not "assuming" anything. When I was tanning, I made it a point to write down how many tanning minutes I used per trip and check in with employees to see how many minutes I had. The answers I was given did not match up.

In the future, providing clients with accurate information or showing them the screen as proof would...

So today, I was informed that my choice of lotion was unacceptable as it was purchased on Amazon. I was then informed that both my wife and I were no longer allowed to use their lay down beds. The lotion I use is the same Ed Hardy coconut kisses that they sell here. The girl at the counter tried telling me that the lotion in the bottle is different when it's sold on Amazon. I contacted the company that makes the lotion, and there is no truth to this, obviously. I was told I signed a contract stating that I wouldn't use Amazon lotions. I didn't sign anything and wasn't informed of this silly rule before my first tan. My wife purchased 2 months unlimited for the two of us. I'm waiting for the owner to call me back with my full refund. Their lotion is way overpriced, and you're better off buying it at Amazon and tanning somewhere else. Update. I got my refund, and the owner, Tanya Markowski, sent me an email accusing me of some made-up stuff. Quote... "no one shall be treated or demeaned in such a manner." Quote." In rebuttal to your derogatory comments, this is not a “money swipe, grab” This is to protect the integrity and continuity of my equipment and my business." She played the recording when I said all her lotion was overpriced and gouging customers, and I will never buy it here. I went to another salon, and they said I'm not the first customer to leave Tantalize because of poor...