Simple Wellness — Local services in Baltimore

My low-star review was no longer public. So, I'm resubmitting my honest and fact-based review regarding my experience here:

Overall, I felt disrespected by this business owner (Angela) and felt uncomfortable providing her with honest feedback regarding my style.

My first encounter with her was back in March. I called to book an appointment. I asked what the price would be for a hairstyle because the prices online are the minimum prices for each style, and I was concerned about what the price could be considering a previous two-star review below regarding having to pay more than $1,600 for styling... I asked whether the price for flat twists or a rodded style would be more than $100... They informed me that they could not confirm the price before treating my hair and assessing the length of my hair... Due to this lack of specificity, I cancelled my appointment.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, I reached back out to the business owner (Angela) for a consultation ($45) to assess my hair and we could discuss styles (and the actual prices for those styles for my hair) in person.

On Monday, I had my appointment for a flat twists style. I enjoyed my treatment, and Angela and I had a wonderful (two-hour) conversation about life, kids, careers, education, etc. During that in-person interaction, I thought we had a good stylist-client interaction. When I saw the finished look, I loved the flat twists but I did not like the style of the bun in the back (which I attributed to just some miscommunication regarding that part of the style). I did not inform her that I did not like the bun because her daughter was waiting for her to leave out, and I needed to get back to work. Before leaving out, I told her that I thought "my style was beautiful," "I would reach back out for a future appointment," and to have a "wonderful vacation." I walked out of the salon without thinking further about this salon or the service. I moved on with my day.

On Tuesday, Angela's assistant texted me asking for a Google review. I texted back that "I had a wonderful experience at Simple Wellness," "looked forward to continuing to work with Angela," "loved the flat twists on my head," "but I did not like the bun in the back because it was not as full as I thought we had discussed." I also stated "hopefully I love the style I get at a future appointment and would leave a glowing Google review that day." Again, I moved on with my morning.

One hour after I sent my feedback to her assistant, Angela called me and said, "Bre told me that you have an issue with your style"...with an attitude. I asked her if she read the entire text because it was mostly positive. I just didn't like how the bun was executed. After that, she told me that I was not a "good fit" as a client, blamed me for "poor communication" and wished me well. I told her that I thought she was being too defensive regarding my one criticism and that her tone with me was disrespectful.

Following that awful phone conversation, I posted a review on Google. Shortly after I posted my review, New Day (not sure who that is - no official name or headshot) posted her own review (not regarding her styling experience but rather regarding my phone conversation with Angela)...somehow providing quotes from what I said during that conversation. New Day (whoever you are) was not on that phone call that Angela initiated with me. It is impossible for her to know what I stated to Angela. Angela also replied to my review vaguely stating that we were not a good stylist-client fit (and was very defensive, similarly as in her other 4-star and below reviews).

Regarding my own reputation and background, I have a juris doctorate degree (J.D.) and am very well-versed in professional responsibility, ethics, and delivering truthful (fact-based) information. So, I do not provide false information...ever. I agree with Angela that we were not a good stylist-client fit, and I'm happy to report that I've found another...

I had my first appointment as a sisterlock retightening client at 8-10:30 AM with Angela today. Angela assessed the health of my hair, asked questions about products and my hair routine. The spa has a inviting atmosphere and I enjoyed by appointment time.

I was present in the salon during Eboni's call today, another client who left a review. (I do not know Eboni and I am a new client to the spa.) Angela was polite and patient with the other client. Angela expressed concern that the client was not happy after each appointment, but the client did not indicate being dissatisfied with her services while present in the spa. Angela clearly listened to client's concerns and allowed her to voice her feelings for 75% of the conversation which lasted approximately 12 minutes.

Angela did let the client know that due to concerns with their communication that she may not be the right stylist for the client, and she "wished her the best in finding another stylist and hoped that the information that they discussed about her hair could be useful." Angela also said there was no hard feelings, but the stylist-client relationship was not a good match due to incapability. Eboni kept reiterating that she wanted to continue services with Angela's spa because she enjoyed the care for her hair and the service that Angela provides. Eboni also said that she felt that Angela was stating this information due to her previous voicemail messages which Eboni claims were small criticisms.

Eboni kept insisting that she did not want to discontinue services with Angela. Eboni stated she is Angela's client and had even recommended the spa to her friends. Eboni's tone was rude and abusive toward the end of the call. Eboni told Angela that she should "learn to take criticism" and "not take things personally." Despite Angela indicating 3 times that the stylist-client relationship was not a good energetic fit and restating that she "wishes her well", Eboni kept insisting that maybe Angela could fix the small issues with her bun and get a better review when Eboni came to her next spa visit. During the call, Eboni was never banned from the spa as she falsely indicated...

Background on myself--I've been growing my locs for 8 years and I've only had them done by 3 people (including by simple wellness).

I don't know where to begin about my experience with Simple Wellness LLC but what I do know is that I would never do business with this company again.

My husband purchased a gift certificate for me to get my hair done for my birthday. When I came to my appointment, the customer service was great, the atmosphere was comfortable, and my hair...the style was cool but the actual twisting I could have done a better job myself but that's either here nor there. When my appointment was finished the stylist asked me to make a follow up appt. I was soooo reluctant to do this but I did feel a little pressure as well as my experience was great so I made an appt.

Now I knew ahead of time that they charge $35 for cancelling appointments. My appt was on Thursday at 9am... i ended up having a work related emergency where I had to work on Thursday so I called Simple Wellness on Wednesday at about 10:15 am...about 23 hours notice. They still charged me the $35 late fee and only offered to cut the fee in half if I attended my appointment.

Now listen, I know that business is business and I'm all for following procedures...but when you have a BRAND NEW CUSTOMER...who's husband purchased a gift certificate for his wife at your establishment, a customer who rarely gets their hair done but who only wanted to change their appt for the next business day because she had to work and gave you 23 hours notice yet you still want to charge a $35 dollar late fee...I believe that's ridiculous...and shows the character of a business. Hey...I don't have my own business but if I did...I would choose trying to keep a new customer over $35 anyday. Instant gratification...in this circumstances and most...doesn't gain you anything. I would have gladly gave my business to this company if they showed a little class and made an exception especially in this day and age....but hey...Money talks...BS...