I will never buy a LivingSocial deal again.
I purchased a “deal” for $72 in Sept for a hair stylist, Top Notch Stylist. I wanted to get my hair done before my vacation, so I called to book my appointment around the end of Sept. The stylist didn’t return my call. I went to her website and booked an appointment through the online tool for 10/5 from 12-2:30p.
I was running about 15 minutes late due to construction traffic, and then I could not find her suite number in the building (it was INSIDE another shop). I called her and she didn’t answer. When I finally found it, she informed me that she “wasn’t sure I was coming” and had booked another client, so she’d have to reschedule me or try to fit my services in while she attended the other client. I was very unhappy that she double booked me, so I told her I wouldn’t be returning to redeem my deal, and I asked her for a refund. She told me that all refunds had to go through LivingSocial.
I called LivingSocial, and their voicemail system doesn’t allow you to speak with a person. When you press 0 for a person, you are told to contact them through their website and then disconnected. So I sent a refund request through their website. Their first email said the refund was outside their policies. Once I make the appointment I am subject to the merchant’s cancellation policies. They suggested I gift the deal to someone else.
I asked LivingSocial politely to reconsider my request and explained the situation again. I also mentioned that I had asked her for a refund and she directed me to LivingSocial. In addition, hair styling is a very personal exchange that requires you trust the service provider. I certainly wouldn’t trust redeeming my deal now due to the conflict. I’m sure the stylist is a professional but she knows I won’t be a repeat customer, so why would she do her very best work? Also, LivingSocial keeps a fair amount of the price of a deal, so asking the merchant for a refund means you are asking for money they didn’t even receive from LivingSocial.
LivingSocial’s latest response: “We’re sorry we weren’t able to fulfill your request today. Please work directly with the Merchant to resolve this issue.”
I’ve emailed the stylist, and as expected, there has been no response.
So, BUYER BEWARE. If you purchase a LivingSocial deal that you cannot or will not redeem due to issues with the merchant, you’re stuck.
One Crazy Lady 