Milano Body Piercing — Local services in Gladstone

I just want to start off saying I should have made myself more knowledgeable on prices here and on other local shop’s pricing. I thought that I did, but I guess not. I’ve spoken with others about how much they were charged for their recent piercings and I didn’t think this place was much more expensive than others when I looked into their pricing.

The one star review doesn’t so much reflect the service I received, per se, but more so the business aspect of this shop. The employees were professional and very nice. Their jewelry is unfairly priced. When I looked into pricing, I was told that it would cost $80 per lobe piercing. I made an appointment for three lobe piercings. I was told jewelry was included in this fee. I did not know that that meant you only have one choice of jewelry with this. If you want to choose your jewelry and purchase it from them, it’s going to be A LOT more.

I have a hard time doing anything alone because I have so much anxiety and my brain doesn’t work well under pressure. I know that’s my issue; not theirs. I’ve always wanted these piercings and I thought it would be nice to get them done before my wedding late next month. I asked the employee if I could allow six weeks of healing and then remove them for my choice of lightweight studs for just my wedding day. She said it wasn’t recommended because they use a larger gauge to pierce the ears than common studs do. She said if I took them out, I’d have to come back to the shop the next day to have them re-insert the original jewelry for an additional $20 apiece. My life is so busy, I didn’t even want to think about coming back to the shop for something so small. I’ve read multiple reviews (after the fact) of people saying the same thing and refusing to purchase their jewelry again.

I was not thinking logically. I really felt placed on the spot and my brain ceased to work properly. I really wanted my mom to be there with me because I often feel taken advantage of and I just never know what to do in the moment. However, my mom ended up not being able to be there (when we had originally planned otherwise) and I was alone. No one’s fault, she’s just helpful during these times. I was thinking, “well, if I have to wear this jewelry on my wedding day, then maybe I should just get at least the same metal I’ll be wearing (rose gold).”

I wish I would’ve asked the girl at the counter what she would do in my situation. Looking back now, I wish I would’ve listened to the voice in my head saying to not go through with using their services. Although, I have no clue if they earn a commission(?) or if she would’ve been honest with me in the first place, considering that could lose half the money I ended up paying. Another option for me could’ve been to get their cheapest jewelry and then go online and purchase rose gold surgical steel jewelry with the correct size gauge on a reputable body jewelry website. MUCH CHEAPER. Advice involving use of other services shows “above and beyond” customer service. I am not saying that it’s their responsibility, just that it’s very helpful, if/when they have the ability/free will or thought to give this kind of advice. I am not saying that they did and chose to not do so.

I ended up spending $603 on three lobe piercings. Breakdown: $10 cleansing solution, $190 x2 for the teensiest rose gold and opal studs, $135 for the teensiest - literally their smallest and cheapest rose gold disk stud, and $78 (15% of total) for gratuity.

I do feel taken advantage of here (by the business). I’ve never gotten any piercings as an adult before (only my first earlobe piercings at sixteen) and no tattoos either. I’m still young and was all alone. I just had poor judgment in the moment with the rush and pressure I felt. (Again, not their fault.) I went in expecting to pay $240 + some tip, but paid over twice that amount. That was an additional $110 per tiny opal stud. $220 for two. You can get an authentic PAIR (not individually priced) for $99 elsewhere. The addition of surgical steel here SHOULD also make...

My experience here was not the best. I went here based off of many highly rated recommendations. I scheduled my piercing to be completed during my one hour lunch break from 12-1. I showed up at 12 on the dot and was informed by the receptionist that Scott (the piercer) had ‘just left’ to grab lunch and would be back shortly. Since I had an appointment, I’m not sure why that would be a good time to grab food? Anyway, the receptionist lady was very young and after telling me to take a seat, just sat and played on her phone. She made no effort to converse or make me feel welcome. I was the only other person in the shop and felt very awkward and out of place. After about 20 minutes Scott walks in, lunch in hand, and curtly informs us he’d eat his lunch and be right with me. So in all about 35-40 minutes past my appointment time, he finally calls me back. There wasn’t much conversation. I didn’t find him to be warm or welcoming. The shop was clean, and he explained the process well, but those are honestly the only two positives I can pull out from my experience. This shop is very popular, so I’m sure this review won’t make a difference either way to their business - when you’re this busy I suppose it doesn’t matter if you inconvenience a customer or two. I wound up being late back to work and spent a lot more money than I ever had at any other piercing studio. My piercing healed nicely, so no complaints there, but I would not return or take...

Edit: I have never had to do this before. The owner who replied below has no idea how the interaction went or he wouldn't accuse me of using "Choice words" when I called. It was a short, and surprisingly rude call where I wasn't even allowed to ask questions and received an attitude before even responding to my only question. The harshest thing I said was "I guess I'll give my money to someone else!" and I hung up. I had ZERO dialogue otherwise and not a single swear word. I had a better experience with the piercing/tattoo shop at the Vancouver Mall. Straight professional work. Took several hours to wait, but it was quality. If these guys will lie about a phone call, I'd be weary of letting them use any devices on your body for anything. If I could erase the gold from the only star I'm forced to give, I'd do it. Poor customer service man. I'm stunned you would lie like that. Original review: Called to find out about hours and was immediately treated as an undesirable inconvenience for asking as they're booked into the following week. Attitude is everything and obviously this review won't hurt their otherwise busy business but it's not stopping me from expressing my experience for what it was. I'll give my money to someone who...