Empire Beauty School

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait until for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: Before I enrolled in Empire I had a interview with the [redacted]. During this interview I explained to her that my reasoning for wanting to attend beauty school was to learn how to perform natural hair styling. I stated that I specifically wanted to learn how to start and maintain locs, braid, twist and weave. According to her I would be learning all of the things that I mentioned and more. She also proceeded to tell me about other methods of adding hair extensions that I wasn't knowledgeable about and said that those too would be included in the education that I would be receiving at this institute. I decided to enroll in the school based on that initial meeting. After attending for months and not learning about natural hair styling I questioned my instructor who then told me that it wasn't in the curriculum but if she had time she would teach me a thing or two. I was baffled and just couldn't fathom that I was blatantly lied to. I expressed my displeasure with a few staff members only to be told "just deal with it, or get your license and learn about the other stuff later". Myself along with another student brought it to the attention of the [redacted] and asked if he could organize some natural hair styling workshops. He agreed and said we should email him so he doesn't forget. We did email him and never received a response. On February **,2014,I brought it to his attention again in a class meeting and he stated that "there is a [redacted] hair market and a [redacted] hair market and there is no money in the [redacted] hair market besides their products". I was offended by that statement because he made it seem as though my purpose for being there was in vain. He also said "This school only offers the bare minimum, we give you just enough to pass the state board, anything other than the bare minimum I would have to seek out myself". If I was told the truth about the program I wouldn't have enrolled now I feel as though I was tricked into giving them my money.Desired Settlement: I would like my tuition to be refunded, and a written apology from the [redacted] as well as the [redacted]. The school should change the way in which they advertise what their program has to offer. The [redacted] said it the best, the school only offers the bare minimum, just enough to pass the state board. That line should be told to every prospective student so they can fully understand what they'll be offered at Empire.

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted],

We received a copy of the complaint filed with the Revdex.com by [redacted], a former student at Empire Beauty School in Queens.

Since student information is protected under the Family Education Right to Privacy Act we are not able to disclose specific information related to our student records, including [redacted]’s.

We have investigated [redacted]’s concerns and we did not find information to substantiate the claims made. We have also found that [redacted] went through the admission process which includes interviews, the completion of enrollment documents and student orientation where the program characteristics and expectations were disclosed prior to the school start.

In addition, our school catalog contains a complete description of our cosmetology program and all enrolling students are provided with access to the catalog.

[redacted] opted to withdraw from the program and the charges for her education are accurate and have been determined in accordance to the terms of her Enrollment Agreement for the hours she attended and the education she received.

We hope that [redacted] would reconsider her decision to complete the program and contact [redacted], to discuss reenrollment.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

this institution and its higher ups have yet to accept full responsibility for this mishap. I feel as though my intelligence is being insulted every time I speak with a representative of Empire regarding this matter. Before signing the documentation and committing to this program and its financial obligation I had to make sure that this was the right place for me. The documentation given to me during enrollment was very vague and contained only a brief description of the cosmetology program. During the interview I asked several question that would give me a detailed description of the program which were answered by lies. These lies resulted in the school receiving funds under false pretenses. The contract should be null and void and all funds should be refunded. I will pursue this matter to the fullest extent and will not rest, stop, or give up until all my demands are met.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Sincerely,

Review: It took 6 hrs for a color and cut for a minor was not told would take that long. A Mr M[redacted] (?) insisted her hair need bleached twice..the color is NOT the color we requested due to that (I have pictures) He was kind of rude and feel did not know what he was doing.made several mention "well that is what you get when you use boxed coloring"

her hair was falling out after 2nd coating. She said she did like the light color..but even by the time we got home it is changing there are even shades of orange now! (it was supposed to be brown)

Another manager after 5 1/2 hours says she would do the TRIM to make it go faster.

We get home and she brushed her hair..one side is an inch or so longer than the other! (I have a picture also) she saidDesired Settlement: I wish a refund I need to take her to a different place to have everything corrected..I already had told the manager no way would I go in there again

Business

Response:

We received your letter dated August 26, 2015 regarding a response to a complaint by Ms.Gracie [redacted], guardian to minor, who had services performed at the Empire BeautySchool ("School") in North Hills, PA.It is unfortunate Ms. [redacted] had an unpleasant experience at our Empire BeautySchool ("School") in North Hills. We understand that the client was disappointed with thesalon services performed on August 10, 2015 and we are sorry that the client was notsatisfied with our performance.Empire Beauty School ("School") has issued a full refund.Sincerely,Office of the PresidentEmpire Education Group

Consumer

Response:

I accept the refund for the service .. But It was definitely not enough to pay me for my time and trouble. I definitely do not appreciate the tone of the letter making it seems that it was just because I was disappointed. I provided them with pictures and the manager agreed it was bad work by their company . Also She claimed she was out on sick leave and was not there that day when indeed she was ! I do not appreciate being lied to. Maybe they should have told the corporate office about the pictures and what I was told.

Review: I called the business on 08/15/2014 to inquire in on braids, wash, and cut being done for my daughter on and asked the representative the cost I would incur for all and I was advised it would be no more than $60.00. I again called on 08/18/2014 to confirm the appointment and re advise my daughter will come with braids in to show the style she wanted. At the first call I placed I told the rep that I was leaving the braids in my daughters hair to show how she wants them done for her appointment and also she is tender headed so I would need to have her taken care of with gentle hair sytlists and I was told ok. I again called to confirm the appointment on 08/18/2014 and again said that my daughter wants to have corn rolls only half on her head and the rest braided and I am leaving the braids in her hair to show what she wants and again I was told that it was ok. The first call was the call that I was verbally quoted the costs of everything to be done and not once did the rep state there is a cost to remove braids, even though I said I was leaving them in her hair. As a consumer getting a service quote over the phone I should have been advised that the removal of braids will cost $40.00 in addition to the services I asked for which would be no more than $60.00. That is intentional deceit this company practiced when a consumer is asking for total costs of a product and to leave out an important part of the service fee.Desired Settlement: I would like a refund of the costs to remove the braids by students, which when I called for total cost of service was not provided to me, was $40.00

Business

Response:

September 4, 2014Dear [redacted],We received your letter dated August 29, 2014 regarding a complaint filed by [redacted] concerning a service at the [redacted] Empire school location.We have researched the complaint and found that [redacted] contacted the school to inquire about the price of a braid service for her daughter and based on the requested style she was given an estimated price based upon our pricing menu and our understanding of the services to be provided. When clients call to inquire about service prices, our school staff can share information about the pricing menu however the final price is determined during the client consultation at the time of the visit. The client consultation occurs prior to the initiation of any services and clearly outlines the cost to provide the services. During the client consultation, [redacted] was informed that her daughter needed an additional service to remove the existing braids in accordance with the pricing menu and [redacted] did not raise an objection to the charge at that time.We apologize to [redacted] for any miscommunication and this misunderstanding. In an effort of good faith we would like to refund [redacted] the braid removal service cost however we were unsuccessful in our attempts to reach her. In order to process the refund, [redacted] should contact Joan S[redacted], Executive Director at [redacted].We hope to hear back from [redacted] soon.Sincerely,Empire Education GroupOffice of the President