So Vain laser clinic review: Bad Service ( 62 comments)

I appreciate that everyone will have their own experience and is entitled to their own opinion. However, based on my 'personal' experience I strongly disagree with the negative comments above. As a woman in the corporate world my time is invaluable therefore, it is imperative that the services provided are efficient and professional. From the onset of purchasing my Scoopon Voucher for Laser Treatment I was instantly impressed with the efficiency of the team at So Vain in getting back to me to arrange a suitable time for a consultation. Upon arrival to the Clinic I was equally impressed with the personal greeting I received from the Manager, who introduced herself and ensured that I was well informed regarding the process involved, making me feel very much at ease, especially being my first laser treatment. The Clinic is impeccably clean and very inviting creating a relaxed ambiance and easily accessible with ample parking at the rear. The staff were extremely polite, friendly and eager to assist with any inquiries. The Manager personally conducted my treatment and at all stages throughout the process she was both professional and informative. I have since been back for my second treatment and I can already see a reduction in hair. As a result of my positive experience I felt compelled to write a review in praise of the staff and services rendered, as more often than not people do not take the time to do so. I was very surprised and perplexed to read the above negative comments, as it was a complete contradiction to my positive experience. Having read some of the above comments I would piquantly suggest that anyone writing a review does so based on their own 'genuine' experience and note on a friend(s) 'alleged' experience or hearsay. The above comments are an injustice to the Clinic and team at So Vain. I can not recommend their services more highly, however why not be the judge of that yourself, you will definitely not be disappointed. Thank you for making my experience a positive one So Vain and I look forward to my next treatment and moreover the effective results. A 'very' satisfied and repeat Customer.

I appreciate that everyone will have their own experience and is entitled to their own opinion. However, based on my ‘personal’ experience I strongly disagree with the negative comments below. As a woman in the corporate world my time is invaluable therefore, it is imperative that the services provided are efficient and professional.  From the onset of purchasing my Scoopon Voucher for Laser Treatment I was instantly impressed with the efficiency of the team at So Vain in getting back to me to arrange a suitable time for a consultation. Upon arrival to the Clinic I was equally impressed with the personal greeting I received from the Manager, who introduced herself and ensured that I was well informed regarding the process involved, making me feel very much at ease, especially being my first laser treatment. The Clinic is impeccably clean and very inviting creating a relaxed ambience and easily accessible with ample parking at the rear. The staff were extremely polite, friendly and eager to assist with any inquires. The Manager personally conducted my treatment and at all stages throughout the process she was both professional and informative. I have since been back for my second treatment and I can already see a reduction in hair. As a result of my positive experience I felt compelled to write a review in praise of the staff and services rendered, as more often than not people do not take the time to do so. I was very surprised and perplexed to read the below negative comments, as it was a complete contradiction to my positive experience. Having read some of the comments I would piquantly suggest that anyone writing a review does so based on their own ‘genuine’ experience and not on a friend(s) ‘alleged’ experience or hearsay. The below comments are an injustice to the clinic and team at So Vain. I can not recommend their services more highly, however why not be the judge of that yourself, you will definitely not be disappointed. Thank you for making my experience a positive one So Vain and I look forward to my next treatment and moreover the effective results. A ‘very’ satisfied and repeat Customer!

I have been Gerry's client for 12 years. Yes, that's right 12 years !
As for the above defrauding comments... get a life. It is obvious that you are pursuing a personal vendetta.
Gerry's services, including waxing, lazing and nails, have personally, always been of an extremely high standard.
I am of Southern Italian decent and thus was extremely hairy. I now, virtually have no body hair. We now "retouch" areas annually at an extremely fair price.
As for nails, Gerry is the best in town !
Yes, Gerry is assertive, outgoing and optimistic. I absolutely love the energy in her salon.
I would strongly recommend her beauty services.

My experience was not totally terrible but it was pretty average. It was always difficult calling and getting an answer. Several times I left a message only for the call to never be returned. It always seemed booked out but whenever I arrived for my appointment, the owner's neice (?) was the only one there. Young and nice but not professional nor highly skilled. Overall, I had 6 treatments for IPL at So Vain and compared to other areas, the results are not great. 6 months out from my last treatment and it seems no different to before I started. Ive had laser treatment before and those results are outstanding. So Vain's IPL machine always overheated and the session had to stop a number of times throughout the half hour timeslot. By the way, embarassingly I paid significantly more than the Scoopon customers, only to have very poor results to show for it. This post is not to attack the salon but to provide (hopefully) useful feedback to all concerned. Also, because I never saw, met or spoke to the owner as she never seemed to be there at the time, only her young employee, I was not able to discuss my concerns therefore have moved myself and my money to another (more professional) salon who has the time and interest to cater to their clients.

You know there is a problem with a business when they can't even spell the town they're located in correctly on their website. "Benleigh East". I know where Bentleigh East is, not Benleigh East. Thanks for all the reviews. I will not be visiting So Vain.

I just want to thank So Vain for my exceptional treatments thus far. This is the second time I have visited your beautiful clinic and I already love all the girls there, just reading on Deanna's comment. The owner runs the clinic so well and she is the one who does my treatments. If an owner is not there or not why is it such an issue? Weird complaint. I am using the new Elight technology and has exceptional results with no pain, I am upgrading my treatment to the new SHR hair removal that is coming in the next week as it is America's number 1 Diode laser machine and struggled to find a clinic who uses this new technology. (please people look this machine up and then tell me they use crappy technology) Believe me this clinic is way up to date with their technology and no machine I used overheats. I am so very excited about this clinic as other vouchers I bought were bad (and still did not make me write a complaint). When you are purchasing cheap deals like this you must know that initially it is hard to get back to everyone in 1 day. This also goes to show how busy they are. Sorry Deanna it took the clinic 24 hours before they contacted me and when they did they booked ahead all of my treatments. I can not imagine I would ever have such a pleasant experience as I have been around the traps. There are 3 Laser technicians in the salon and a receptionist working around the clock. Sometimes I struggle to understand people like yourself that are so unhappy with life itself it seems. Who writes complaints like this? I would never get on a site and defame a business because my $59 scoopon did not surpass my expectations. Come on! I honestly do not think these are legitimate complaints from legitimate clients, there is no way! I have however read the previous complaints and saw that there is one person making them, I mean look at this person, they forget to even change their name? and write another comment as if they are a new complaint. As for the sill woman, danielle607 above which seems to be the same idiot, writing about a spelling mistake? Are we for real girls. I have not noticed one complaint from a Male on this site and many walk in out of this clinic, why? because women are such ###. Get a life I say. Gerry I just want to thank you sweetie for your generosity, doing these deals and allowing people like myself who can not afford to do these treatments become hair free, I honestly commend you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Chin up honey, you have me for life and I am sure so many more. You are bound to get stupid women like this on your site. I do believe 1 woman has it in for you. Your beautiful and unfortunately this is what you have to deal with. I can not wait for my next treatment. I am loving my Ecoya candle. Thank you ladies.

I got a Scoopon to use through this business. I must've left at least six messages before they bothered to get back to me, as they never seem to answer their phone. So far they have honoured the Scoopon, but I find the main staff there (who serves you when you get there) to be quite rude, condescending and pretentious. The staff who actually did my treatment though is very nice, friendly and helpful. If I didn't have a Scoopon I wouldn't go back there again, purely because of them never answering their phone and the fact that the main staff has very bad customer service skills.

hi all,
thanks for great feedback. i guess expired vouchers are at discretion of the owner, but her rude attitude is a big mistake! i was about to book 6 months worth of treatment $180 via scoopon, but i've changed my mind. actually, i've called the salon to ask about some details of the deal, but the call went straight to the answering machine. i left a message, but no one called me back. i tried to call few more times, but still there was no answer. i thought that i may have problem to book appointments too. and your posts have helped me to make my decision and pass this deal. it now seems that this could turn out to be the worst possible deal where i would pay money upfront, but wouldn't get anything out of it :-( and i'm not willing to risk. i'm surprised that scoopon doesn't check the customer satisfaction for their deals. it's not good image for them either, i guess.

I have to completely disagree with all negative complaints. I have been having medical E-grade laser hair removal (not IPL) at the clinic thanks to their deal on Scoopon. The clinic is fantastic, staff are lovely and for the price I paid for 6 months of the treatment it is an absolute bargain. After each laser session I book the next one for a month in advance and this system has worked perfectly. Treat the staff and the clinic as you wish to be treated, be organised, don't be a difficult customer and I'm sure you will have no issues. I also have two family members that go to the clinic and would agree with my above comments. I definitely would recommend this clinic.

omg...unbeliveable with their service exactly the lady with blonded long hair with the piercing on her nose, she very got bad customer skills...i dont know she is owner or not but im agree that with all these complaint feedback about this So Vain...
My mistaken cause I dont have much free times to find out about this salon before i went there..the place so freakin far away take me around more than 2 hours.Dont mind about it. i can come to do my laser for i bought the voucher by scoopon and my story happen is..

First time i came there with my bf.he wait for me outside.im go in the room with her, she show me by her skills she do laser for me that was really pain me for the first time but she didnt put anythings cream on for me to make it go down the pain.After that my friend i told her to do laser same place with me but she was treat very good by another worker not her...she said very friendly and helpful but with me this lady not good.

i dont mind about it...and second time i got appointment for next time to do brazilian...but i missed that i called to them thousand times and left the mail box..no anyones picked up the phone and also i didnt hear anythings from them to rebooking for me again until the third times another one not her called me book for me the third times at 3:15 pm and i came there take me very far more than 2 hours im just wait for the bus nearly come their salon and late 3:30 she called me to cancel my voucher.. said to me like im missed 4 times dont need to come...i try to talk to her because very far away i have to also catch the train and change to catch the last bus to came there and she said another her clients already there ...normally just 10min she can do quick for underarms for me but that time im also have to do brazilian because i can do 3 areas but the first time i just do only underarms and i havent shape for my brazilian so she told me came next time she will do brazilian for me and underarms have to leave for 4 weeks but i missed that appointment for more than 1 month .i called them a lot of times im already said up there ...and i have to do underarms and brazilian at that time but from 3:15 to 3:30 i dont know how she can get booking for another customer with 15 mins to do for me.i dont care just only her work on that day but im her customer.why she dont know how to arrangement for her bussiness

When im come in her salon she told me like i called u dont come why u come.. u missed 4 times and i can't leave this my client to come do for u.. im agree that im late for that time but i dont mean she do for me straight away but she told me like i teach u a lesson thats so really rude when she talk like that to her customer. she tell me im lying actually i dont want to become agrue with her .i called them but no one picked up the truth is everyone already come through same like me..i paid money for this voucher i used to it why i have to lie her when im not free times to ###. she show me like the suprising i can see the first my time she got really bad bussiness and horrible customer service.

Any feedback about good this So Vain i have to say she have to say thanks u to her workmate try to build up for her little bit good but with her is zero.Actually that lady i havent seen her but through by the on the phone call when she rebooking appoinment for me she is very helpful...i dont give any much just negative for this So Vain but which one right or wrong i have to say here..and Dear to that lady :" U're failed when u so confident with urself.I dont mind when i paid money for u to got that voucher to come in to do laser and truth i can leave it .i can take u to legal action as well when u cancel voucher customer until u havent completed ur work to do for us i got lot of prove about u.U know it"

Im also do beauty and i know customer always have to listen and treat them good to build up the bussiness but the first time in my life i can see she can talk very bad with me like she yelling me.im customer i got the benefit to talk about the truth about her skills . she not allow to show whatevers she unhappy with anythings she doesnt like and then treat bad to her customer.

Anyways the people bought the cheap or expensive one with the professional they have to show us their skills in their work but actually warning everyone if u got any planning to come here to do beauty u should not to come this So Vain salon...its up to u but with a lot of ideas around here can show u about them.. thanks all

Again i dont want waiste my time over here to complaint but if u dont have any chance to fix ur skills one day u have to closed ur shop! And if everyones planning to come here u should think be carefully to choose the right place for urself.thanks all

7th Sept 2013 - I can see not much has changed since the first complaint listed in 2011.
NEVER GOING BACK.
This salon is a pathetic excuse for a business in an area which should have a high calibre of professional cliental & services to match. SO VAIN beauty with its lack of business ethics & uneducated owner & staff members - is the most dissapointing salon to the bentleigh east local community! Greek blonde girl doing IPL treatment who also sits at the front desk, knows nothing about the IPL machines (and they are IPL, not laser like their advertisement lies would have the gullible public believe), she could not answer any of my quetions & has absolutely no customer service skills. she was extremerly rude & not interested one bit in doing her job correctly. I had 3 treatments at so vain & the whole experience was enough to put me off never going back for any further treatments.

None of the treatments worked at all, & i am much happier going somewhere else where you get treated with respect like a paying customer should & more importantly you get results. other salons will not lie to you like this one does! i have never had a more worse experience than i did at so vain beauty. Do not be fooled by there cheap groupon scoupon vouchers or daily deals like many above clients have - so vain beauty are unprofessional & sell a product that does not work. The dodgy greek blonde girl who knows nothing burnt my skin at every appointment, my husband took many photos for proof - she is not a qualified beautician so i would not trust a salon that hires these kinds of fake people! Im not surprised, judging from all the above comments, if there is not already a class action sueing them as we speak!

DO NOT GO TO THIS SALON - YOU WILL SORELY REGRET IT!

Thanks All. Live two streets away, was going to go, with or without voucher. Due to all of the above reviews, wouldn't go if treatments were free.

OMG THIS NEW SHR DIODE LASER! GIRLS FROM SO VAIN THANK YOU SO MUCH! I AM HAIR FREE! I have just read some of these reviews and obviously they are personal attacks they are funny actually. I can not believe the ### they write about not getting through... how hard is it to leave a message, I waited one day but when my call was returned I got all my appointments booked and also when you make a booking and do not turn up the owner re books you despite the fine print in vouchers that say your voucher is void... I CAN NOT THANK YOU GIRLS ENOUGH! There is no laser deal out there that advertises this new shr, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU 4 treatments and I am hair free. GOOD BYE IPL! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS and don't be disheartened over some of the stupid commentary as these people have obviously done something wrong. You can not be in business for 15 years and not be good at what you do or be able to survive out there and I am sure people would know this. I go to my favourite restaurant and I have never had such beautiful food and they are well known for it but they too have shocking reviews... Whatever. I am so happy and will tell everyone about you... x

Rude, Rude, Rude I purchased a deal from groupon for laser, which had to be used within 4 months. I couldn't get an appt for 3 weeks, when i told the staff that i wouldn't be able to get 4 treatments in as the voucher would expire staff told me bad luck as i was getting such a great deal. I then spoke to the management of the salon, who couldn't have been any ruder, they told me that the machine cost them $100, 000 and that i should be grateful that im getting such a good deal ! they then hung up on me ... great going So Vain! If your going to put deal on Groupon, 1. have appts avl. 2. Open on a Monday & 3 don't close for 2 weeks over the christmas period! Groupon refunded my money, which was very nice of them!

My brother purchased a voucher for me as a gift from Groupon to "So Vain Beauty in East Bentleigh Victoria" for Four Sessions of SHR Diode Laser Hair Removal for $149. The terms & conditions of the voucher stated it excludes full arms & full legs. Therefore my chosen areas were lower arms & upper legs - these count as two areas each. I went to my appointment & the girl asked me what am I having done - this surprised me as I advised her what I'm having done when I booked my appointment a month prior. When I told her what I'm having done she said she cannot do my arms & legs. I have to choose from either just half arms or just half legs & the other 2 areas I have to choose something else such as hands, underarms etc... I instantly told her that is not stated in the terms & conditions of the voucher - she then said we decided not to do that & it's Groupon's fault for not putting it in the terms & conditions. I told her the voucher was purchased a month prior & you should adhere to the terms & conditions stated on the voucher. She did not want to co-operate & had extremely poor customer service/peoples skills & was not professional in how she dealt with the situation. I did not want to make trouble & cause a scene - I noticed she could not grasp & understand what I was saying or she really didn't care - she had a blank look on her face. I believe Groupon should investigate retailer's prior to accepting them on their website. As in this case "So Vain Beauty in East Bentleigh Victoria" demonstrated fraudulent advertising - as long as they have your money they really don't care which is a real shame! Very Disappointing!

I have never had a problem and i did read all reviews. This is the best treatment i have had... It is funny that people complain when they should be reading the terms and conditions and then find that some areas are not included. All areas allowed are written in the terms and conditions so you can not go wrong. I chose my areas and went in and got them done with exceptional results. I guarantee this is one of the most effective treatments. I also read in detail all reviews and I know that her ex partner in the business has got it in for her... She clearly has and the ones that are not from her are mainly from groupon or scoupon clients. No other glients have complained. My suggestion is to read your terms and conditions. We should be thankful for these businesses allowing us to use this method as laser costs so much money and these poor girls are inundated. The clinic is truly amazing the girls are beautiful hence the [censor]iness and accusations which are personal attacks about even their hair colour in here. Wow seriously guys, there are people dying from cancer out there and you are worried that you did not get an extra area done for free? TO ALL YOU LOOKING FOR GREAT SERVICE AND AN AMAZING DEAL PLEASE TRY THE GIRLS AT SO VAIN. I love you guys and i love the results. Thanking you Gerry and the team. Funny no one complains about the results hey? Silly women full of raging hormones. ;-)))

Sorry I disagree with Joanne's comments to a degree, as I think that some customers have definitely complained specifically about either not experiencing any result, or in worse circumstances actually being burnt. I have attended the salon myself and have not experienced any verbal barrage as described, but can definitely attest to not seeing any reduction in hair growth after four sessions, and due to this reason will not be attending this salon for further sessions. I own a sports clinic and can honestly say that if I received such a vast number of complaints that I would be compelled to defend myself if I genuinely believed that I had not warranted such negative publicity. At the end of the day it's up to the individual to ascertain what they believe to be truthful, and what comments may just be a personal attack.

I have tried many time to book there.. not sure why
the ugly blonde chick who apparently is owner manager has no idea about customer service.
she is rude. not professional and her business should close.

So Vain is owned and run by a revolting woman who is totally unprofessional and I would even hazard a guess that she is a sociopath. She certainly acted like one when she was treating me (badly btw). Funnily enough, she has now changed her business name so she can continue selling discounted deals on all the sites without people being able to look her up! BTW I paid full price unfortunately for the new SHR laser that was completely rubbish and didn't work at all. Waste of money, and a horrible experience with a crazy biatch. This is her new business Melbourn Laser Derm. www.melbournelaserderm.com.au AVOID AT ALL COSTS! NOT WORTH IT! Thanks Gerry Panztazopoulos you crazy psycho!

My complaint is they never respond to your messages as you can NEVER get on to them via phone (it just goes straight to message). When I finally got on to them to make my appointment I mentioned that I left 12 messages over the course of 10 days and not once did they call to respond. When I spoke to girl she said the phone book had my name crossed out which meant someone called me back. A fact that was false as I never heard from anyone from that salon. Upon entering their salon - the tall blonde miserable faced lady did not even acknowledge my presence and continued filing away at her nails ( from they way she presented herself - I assumed she was the owner of the salon as their seemed to be an air of confidence and lack of urgency in the way she held herself ) as if "she" was the employee; I can't imagine they would sit on their chair at the reception ignoring the paying customers which is incredibly detrimental to business if you're in the retail/service industry. I couldn't believe it...instantly my "first impressions' of this business was poor and lacking in good customer care - however I was there because I pre-paid vouchers which I just wanted to redeem...No wonder they needed to offer this promotion...I couldn't imagine that they had happy customers walking back in to this salon...The 'care' factor was very noticeable and which was poor. For the store owner - close up and move on to something else, as you're clearly NOT in the right industry and stay away from the public...IF you want to stay and care about improving - seriously work on your SERVICE and start that with a 'smile, and acknowledgement' that when someone walks into your salon, you STOP what you're doing and offer to help WITH a smile. Good luck So Vain ( classic name that imbues implications )!

The business has change names...Watch out, I have just received another coupon promotion she is now advertising as Melbourne Laserderm Clinic at the same address.
I had purchased a coupon there a few years ago and had similar experience. I tried phoning to make an appointment with no answer, I then went to the salon to make the booking. When I then had my appointment first thing in the morning the salon was closed, furious and this I was being duped I eventually made phone contact. She was running late and when I complained that her behaviour was not professional and that she should be there at least 30mins to set up before opening to prepare her salon. Not walk in 5 mins before or in this case 15 mins after opening times.