Complain about a product or service

American Laser Centers

Amy of La Jolla, CA April 9, 2009

Amy of La Jolla CA (04/09/09)
I bought a package of laser hair removal treatments in Feb of 2007 for 4,200 which included 6 treatments plus a 2-Year guarantee- if you have any hair left after the 6 treatments you can keep coming for two years to continue treatment. I have light hair but the salesperson told me it is just as effective because their lasers look for density as well as pigment. After 2 years I've barely seen any results and the manager, Ms. Lake told me that there are special packages for light-haired clients who require twice as many treatments (so 12 for 8,400) as normal. This was the first time I heard this & I never would have signed up for treatment that is 1/2 as effective or twice the cost. I feel this was a deliberate misrepresentation, which ALC covers up with its results not guaranteed disclaimer.

Most recently, I had an appointment that I'd made months in advance and on my way there they called me & informed me it had been canceled. Because I couldn't go on short notice to the only alternate appt they offered me, they said I was out of luck.

I don't see why they wouldn't be able to abruptly cancel all of my future appointments & repudiate my contract with no repercussions.

Based on my firsthand experience, what I've heard & read these issues are endemic and rife for a class action lawsuit.

Repudiation of contract, misrepresentation. 4,200 compensatory plus punitive damages.

Stephanie of Memphis, TN April 7, 2009

Stephanie of Memphis TN (04/07/09)
I have been going to ALC for 3 years with no results. Actually I did have one result: it ruined my face and made the hair much worse. They told me that I had to shave the area. This and their treatments caused damage to the skin and now I have scars. The dark hairs remained in fact became much worse over time. I have had well over 13 treatments so far with zero result. I have talked to the staff at the clinic and corporate many times over the duration of my treatments. They have used the highest settings on the newest lasers and double, triple and quadruple passed the treatment area. I resorted to contacting corporate over and over and have been for months now with no results.

I have so far spoken to at least 6 customer service reps who promise to follow up with the local clinic and medical staff and never do. They refer to the non-responder protocol and keep talking about how it gets routed here and there but never say what will result. I have been undergoing the non-responder protocol? for over a year now. Two months ago I had pictures taken at the local clinic after being told to do so by Corporate Customer Service. I did so and the local clinic supposedly never filed the non-responder report and sent it to the medical staff.

Today I called again and spoke to Angel who says he will contact the Cordova clinic to get the report. I told him that I had spoken to 5 reps and have heard nothing. According to him the medical staff claims they never received anything. I asked him about the protocol. The process is that the nurse on call receives the report and reviews the form and patient file then it goes to the regional manager. That was all he said. Eva (Angel's supervisor) the customer service manager got on the phone. She said that part of the problem is that the regular manager at my local clinic has been replaced. She said she would contact the local clinic and get back to me. I asked her how long the medical staff will take once they get this report? She replied that it takes normally takes them two weeks to reply. She also said oddly that maybe they can offer some complimentary services? Why would I want any more services that so far have been costly and damaging?

Then I received an email from the local clinic saying that they believe a refund is in order. I then called the Overland Park clinic who also promised a full refund. I finally reached someone at Corporate who advised they will be giving a full refund. When I called back after weeks of no response I find out they want to offer a 90% refund however I never received anything. I then filed with the BBB, and State Attorney General, etc. Dr. M. Phillips is the medical advisor to that clinic who is never there and in fact either in Nashville, Knoxville or Chattanooga (the staff dont even know).

I am under the impression that the clinic staff does not hold anything but an esthetician license if that. I requested a copy of the full and complete chart and I am told it will take 30 days for them to provide it. I believe this is not only breach of contract (no results for services rendered) but possibly also medical malpractice. INVOICES: 4-27-06 101.61 4-27-06 2233.15 6-29-07 1079.82 7-07-07 1702.44 GRAND TOTAL: 5117.02

Scars and duped out of thousands of dollars. I currently have a case with small claims court and awaiting trial.

Jami of Hayes, VA January 19, 2009

Jami of Hayes VA (01/19/09)
I wish I had researched ALC before I went there. If I had seen all of these complaints, along with other websites, including the BBB, I would have never went there!

I signed up for 8 VelaShape sessions for 2520.00. In the end, I was a half inch bigger than I was before I started. Of course, they don't guarantee anything, so you're just out the money, PERIOD. They don't even act like they care. It's all a scam, so once they get your money, it's all over with. It took me 2 months to get them to send me my records so that I could show my attorney. Of course, they didn't include everything. The Technicians made hand written notes with each visit. I had voiced my concerns each time, but I have no record of it. PLEASE DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!

I am out 2520.00, which i didn't have to begin with. Now I'm trying to pay that back, plus interest on something that did not work at all!

Angelica of San Diego, CA January 18, 2009

Angelica of San Diego CA (01/18/09)
I meet with Clinic Assist Mgr Clarissa Torres on 12/18/2006 at La Mesa location in regards to dark patches on both of my cheeks. Clarissa's diagnosis was sun damage and recommended 5-IPL laser treatments & 5-dermabrasion to completely remove the patches. added upper lip hair removal 2767.34 total. Unfortunately, by the third treatment I became concern as my condition show no signs of improvement. I then had a talk with Clarissa and she recommended to use a higher setting but still no improvements and the affected area started to develop tiny bumpy kind of things, also my upper lip was getting darker.

I got scared and immediately stop all treatments and requested a refund. I latter find out that my condition is Melasma. Clarissa asked me to give her 3 months to get this matter resolve, called her by the end of the 3 months just to find out that she was not longer working for the company. I spoke to new Assist Mgr Laura, She told me that I was misdiagnosed by Clarissa and that IPL was not effective for my skin condition. A few days latter she called me with a refund approval & asked me to wait 45 days for check to be received.

I waited 2 months & no check. I called Laura again she then advice me to speak with Clinic Mgr Hanna. I explained the situation,she also agreed on the misdiagnosis & offer a refund. Refund was approved and was advice to wait 3 weeks for check to arrived, it has been 7 months and still no check...Hanna is not answering nor returning my calls.

For a single Mom every penny counts. I work hard to save these money to have the dark patches on my face removed. I am now out of 2,700 and still dealing with my skin condition which I now know that I am suffering from Melasma due to hormonal imbalance and need to see a Doctor.

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