Avant-Garde — Local services in West Allis

Where or where to begin? After researching on Google for the best piecing salons in the Milwaukee metro area, I discovered Avant-Garde in West Allis. Fantastic reviews, incredible awards... perfect. I called on July 2nd to make an appointment the following day to have the ears of my two daughters pierced as part of their birthday present. Lady on the other end of the line told me that they were not accepting appointments due to the holiday, and that only walk-in's were being accepted/they would be closing at three. Took my girls to Avant-Garde the next day when they opened, and eight people were already in line/waiting on the futons. Knowing my 4 and 5 year old were probably not going to be patient, Makayla suggested we pre-pay for the services and earrings and fill out all the paperwork then come back in thirty minutes. My daughters were shown earrings that they could choose from, and they finally selected some pretty expensive sterling silver My Little Pony studs-- whatever, it was their birthday so I'm going all out. Left to grab some lunch, and returned approximately thirty minutes later only to have to wait another hour before being called up. It was at this point, Makayla informed me that her piercer would not be able to pierce their ears with the My Little Pony studs they selected (then why were they shown them, right?!). Alright, my patience is waning, and now I have two little girls very sad that they cannot have something they were told they could... Oh, and since I had already pre-paid, and used a debit card, they would not be able to give me a refund.... they would have to give me store credit. I was told that if I would have paid cash, I could have gotten cash back or if I would have paid with a credit card, I could have had it put back on a credit card, but since I paid with a debit card... nope, store credit. Makes no sense, and sounded sketchy. Whatever. I take my $57 gift certificate, and my daughters go get their ears done (Jenn, the piercer, was absolutely fantastic-- nothing but positive things to say about her). They would not allow me to use any of my store credit to give to Jenn as a tip, since I was obviously not allowing them to run my card again and had no cash on me, I thought that would be an even compromise. Jenn told me to come back on Monday if I wanted to speak with the owner. Called on Monday and Tuesday this week, left messages for the owner that went unreturned. Finally, I was in the area and stopped in today in person only to be told be because of the nature of their business, they were not allowed to do refunds of any type-- I completely get that, and I am certain it's a highly regulated business, but here's the thing: the earrings I bought, never were in my possession. Also, I would have never purchased them in the first place had I not been told by the sales lady that they were acceptable as initial studs. And no, I did not want to keep them for in the future to wear after their ears heal-- I was cool with paying that kind of money for a special day, and their first pair of earrings, but not cool with paying $28 an earring that they probably are going to lose in two days-- because they are children. THEN, the owner was looking over the invoices from our services last week, and discovers that his employee also overcharged me MORE money for additional jewelry that I did not know about-- and offers to give me MORE store credit. How many other people do you do this to-- overcharge and then say, "Sorry, but here is a piece of paper you have to use here, I am keeping your money." I do not want anything else done, I do not want jewelry, and it's super frustrating I have to take this up on Google and everywhere else now over $70 bucks. Absolute nightmare customer service experience, and scary to think of how many other people they've ripped off this way. I am never going to use that gift certificate, so he essentially just pocketed my money. Absolutely disgusting and pathetic way of running a...

UPDATE

April 2022 (1-star): I wanted my 2nd set of lobes pierced. I waited 1.5 hours for my appointment. The next day they were very lopsided (left side was 1/8" higher than the right), and i was told to come in for a consultation. I waited two hours for my consultation to be told they won't know if its lopsided or just swelling for six more days. Made an appointment, went in six days later, waited over an hour to confirm it's lopsided and come back in two weeks. Two weeks later and an hour wait i was told they didn't like the earing back i brought and refused to do the re-piercing. They don't sell backings so i was told i could buy new jewelry or come back as a walk-in. I agreed to buy new jewelry for the backing.

At this point i had waited 3 weeks from an improper piercing, driven 4 hours total (30 minutes one way), and a total of 6+ hours waiting in the store. I left for the last time not feeling happy about my experience in any way. I was bullied, patronized, disrespected, and don't plan on ever going back to this establishment.

August 2021 (3-stars) Bad experience. This was my first adult piercing (ear piercings as a pre-teen) and I chose a nostril piercing. I desperately wanted to leave a positive review because I loved the professional sterile setting and the jewelry is beautiful. I saw myself going back for future piercings. The piercer was also professional and polite.

Avante-Garde's pitfall is the employees running point on customer service.

First mistake: Customer information. Telling a customer the wait time is 30 minutes over the phone and if I arrived within the next 30 minutes I'd pretty much have no wait, but not being able to schedule an official appointment.

Second mistake: No directions. Not a single employee anywhere in sight when I first walked in. Standing there with no idea what I needed to do or who to talk to and no signs indicating procedure or bells/ buttons to call for an employee.

Third mistake: Lack of training. I had questions about the paperwork but the employee gave vague unhelpful answers. I asked about different nostril piercing styles, pros and cons, if others found one to be better for healing, etc and the employee kept saying it's personal preference. I got the feeling she had no clue.

Fourth mistake: Poor planning. The call system is great. It allows customers to go run errands, grab a bite etc and simply receive a call when they're up next. However, it falls short in practice. When I received my call 1.5 hours after paying I was back within 4 minutes and proceeded to wait. It was only after 30 minutes passed I finally flagged down an employee for an explanation. The employee mumbled some excuses and walked away. I waited another 1.5 hours. That's 3 hours instead of 30 minutes for a 3 minute piercing.

Piercing itself: The type of piercing I got was actually a screw when I paid for and asked for an L-bar. Third, apparently the bar was way too long for my nostril and I should come back in 3 weeks for it to be shortened. The constant spinning of the bar in my nose from the bar being too long has irritated my piercing, causing a bump to form. That said the piercer was quick, efficient, and professional.

Final thoughts: I think this place has a ton of potential, great atmosphere, and a great layout. But they seem to be short staffed, overwhelmed, and their employees need training on the products they sell, types of piercings, and how to best inform customers to choose the right piercing style for them. There are many ways to improve. From a sign-in sheet for walk-ins, to a stricter call system, to more structure for walk-ins, previous customers, and appointments. My biggest frustration from a small business manager pov is you should never tell a costumer they're next then have someone go before them. Things happen, but when you tell a customer they are next, you better...

The front end staff was extremely friendly and helpful! Especially the two girls that were working at the front counter that helped us with paperwork and jewelry. However everyone after that point was fairly rude and short. I had made an appointment for a bridge piercing while fully knowing they would check the area to make sure I had the correct anatomy for the piercing. I would not have even decided on getting this type of piercing if I wasn’t sure that I did in fact have the correct anatomy for it. I had done my research and have many other types of basic and advanced piercings. So the owner came out to look at my bridge and proceeded to ask me a few basic questions about whether or not I wear glasses. I do not and tried to reassure him it wouldn’t be an issue. But he used the fact that I sometimes wear sunglasses (like most other people?) to try and convince me not to get the piercing. Then he poked at the area for a few seconds and decided that I DO NOT have the anatomy for it and again said I should not get the piercing. I got annoyed and wasn’t going to argue with him and just decided to get my other nostril done instead. The price of this very basic piercing was insane. It cost me $98 for the piercing and the simple silver post and top. I did not pick out anything fancy or precious. They eventually called my name and I went back to the private room to meet my piercer. They were very short with me and not personable at all. I was trying to explain to them that the last time I was here I had my other nostril done and really wanted them to be even. The piercer responded with “Well I don’t have to look at it everyday so it doesn’t bother me.” I’m sorry but it came off extremely rude and we didn’t appreciate the attitude. I have had 7 piercings done here as well as brought many of my friends here for their first piercings and we always seem to have small issues here or there but this was the cherry on top. I will NEVER come back here for a piercing ever again. After leaving I went to my tattoo shop for a second opinion from their piercer and she said my anatomy for it was fine and we did my bridge piercing with no complications. The piercing looks fantastic and I was only charged $56 including the jewelry. They were also doing nostril piercings for $31 and I feel completely jipped. I wish I had just gone to them in the first place.

EDIT: The owners response to my review only further proves how this shop is arrogant and rude. You think the piercer I went to that actually treated me well and did an amazing job isn’t getting paid a livable wage? Get your head out of the clouds and think about how your people are treating clients. I’d of been happy to pay the higher cost for a good experience but unfortunately the cost of the service well outweighed the disappointing time I had while there. Your “20+ years of experience” mean nothing when you are rude and make up any excuse to turn away people wanting anything other than basic and easily done piercings. You tried to do the same thing to me when I came in for a dermal and told me wearing a mask would rip it out and that I shouldn’t get it done. There are plenty of talented piercers in the community who can do the exact same thing but with a smile and where clients feel welcome. If you’re reading this and considering going here for piercings I’d strongly recommend doing your research into the other shops in the area. You’ll likely have more fun and still find a highly talented and knowledgeable piercer!!

Update: It’s been over a year since getting my bridge pierced. It’s a fantastically done piercing and I have never had any complications with healing. Do not go here for anything other than a basic ear piercing, and even then you’ll be met with rude customer service, high price points,...