Tracy Nails — Local services in Capitola

-“…Monopolizing, impersonal operation”

I am a local Santa Cruz business owner and have been coming to Tracy’s for a couple of years, visiting at least twice a month. Unfortunately, my experience has been consistently inconsistent—very hit or miss. While Tracy initially comes across as sweet, her approach to customer service and accountability leaves much to be desired.

Recently, I brought my three-year-old for their first nail salon experience. We spent over $200 as a family, including $45 for their manicure/pedicure, and I left a $15 tip for the technician. However, within an hour of leaving, their nail polish completely peeled off—not chipped, but peeled off like a sticker.

When I returned to discuss a solution, the only option offered was to bring my toddler back for the nails to be redone. I suggested a fair alternative: a $25 refund for the pedicure only, allowing the business to keep the tip and payment for the pedicure, which was fine. However, Tracy refused and went so far as to blame the issue on my child.

This lack of accountability and unwillingness to address a legitimate concern was incredibly disappointing. As someone who has referred many people to this salon over the years, I cannot in good conscience recommend Tracy’s anymore. This business prioritizes profit over customer satisfaction and community care.

If you’re looking for a salon that values quality and customer service, I suggest exploring other options in Santa Cruz County. There are other businesses that genuinely care about their clients, unlike this monopolizing,...

When I first started coming here about 7 months ago, it was a nice experience. But my last 4 visits were very disappointing. The front desk employees are VERY UNFRIENDLY and act very annoyed. I realized they weren't giving me the correct amount of stamps on my stamp card, it clearly states 1 stamp for every $15 or more, so for 1 pedicure ($30) I should get 2 stamps. I didn't always have a chance to double check the stamps they were giving me because I was with my friend who has dementia so I was kind of babysitting. Also, I rarely have cash so I asked if they could add a tip to my card and the front desk woman rolled her eyes and then proceeded to scold me as if I was an idiot asking her to do something unspeakable! The front desk people ARE VERY RUDE & PUSHY. We are not cattle, we are humans in need of a service, be nice! When you first walk in they ask you what you want and then tell you to go pick a color. But they say it all so unfriendly, the level of their rudness is so unnecessary. They are the first faces of the business when you walk in, so you would think the owner would want pleasant and kind employees welcoming in customers. We're there to spend our money, treat us better. I always feel pressured to tip there, which I find very rude. I'm gonna be looking for a new...

Very nice ladies but….. I made an appointment for me and my two kids. We were seated for our pedis pretty close to our appointment time and together which was nice. I get pedicures regularly and always have gel on my toes. The lady came over to start my toes. I told her it is gel. She tried to wipe it off with acetone and it didn’t budge. She then put a cotton strip over my toes soaked in acetone and left to work on someone else. She came back a few minutes later with foil and wrapped the foil around my toes with cotton and poured on more acetone. I told her it was burning a little and she nodded. She then disappeared, I should have been more assertive but felt uncomfortable. Two other lovely women came to do my kids toes and I told one my toes were burning, she said something to someone nearby and pointed at my toes but still the lady working on my toes didn’t come back. They completed my kids toes and they were done before the woman working on my toes came back. She used a board file to take off all of my gel polish. I do not think she knows how to remove gel. I have never had someone do it this way. My toes were bright red and burning that evening and blistered the next day. I had the pedicure Friday and today Sunday it’s obvious my toes are very burned from...