Carolina Tanning Spa

Doesn't Recommend

Caroline P.

Joined 1 year ago

Very rude and unprofessional. I called the "spa" after I received a large ad from them in the mail. I was simply asking to be removed from the list, as I have 4 small children who often get the mail. The first person I spoke to asked me (none too politely), what exactly was inappropriate about the ad. I told him I did not feel comfortable talking to him about it (really?).

He then said he couldn't help me because it didn't come directly from them...as a business owner myself, I understand all these things. I just wanted direction to get it done. Nope, he proceeded..."with all due respect ma'am, I have children in my home and they see a LOT worse than this.". I am sorry for your kids, but my 2 and 6 year olds don't.

I hung up.

I called another store an explained what happened. She ignored anything I said about the tone the previous man had taken with me (not to mention the fact that I had already told him I wasn't comfortable talking to him about the nature of the ad).

She restated what he said...never apologizing for my experience. I said it was a bad reflection on the company to speak with potential clients in that way. Then she said, "well, I don't know how the conversation went.". Amazing. As I said, I own a company. No matter how ridiculous I may feel someone is being (and it was obvious that they thought I was ridiculous), you just don't talk to people in this manner. Both stated they could assist me as managers...if this is management, the company is in serious trouble.

Doesn't Recommend

heather m.

Joined 1 years ago

Bad Practices, Sketchy Owners.. The owners of this spa are very sketchy. i was on good terms with them for the years that i went there, because my account was always drafted and my bill was paid, whether i tanned that month or not. i had a roommate that lost her credit card and cancelled it, and although it was her responsibility to contact all of her auto pay accounts and set up with the new credit card, she simply forgot to contact them. when they charged the card and found out it was canceled, they contacted her. even though she apologized and tried to set up the new payment immediately, they still hit her with a ton of fees as if she had done something intentionally wrong. When i moved out of town and notified them of my cancelling, they stuck me with $100 of charges and fees. i couldn't believe after the years of throwing money their way, they wouldn't lift it. it was then that i noticed i was under contract with "Carolina tanning spa", no longer planet beach. in researching that i found they lost their franchise rights. this wasnt a change they chose to make. even if they dont find a way to cheat you out of your money, i just dont think that sketchy, greedy people should be in business.

Doesn't Recommend

Megan L.

Joined 2 years ago

Rip Off.... Sketchy people.. The owners, Jim and Lara are very very selfish with their money. They don't care about the customer, as long as they are getting paid. Even when something goes wrong, it all boils down to the money. When purchasing something, they don't tell you about the tan tax charge and most of the time, the 20% discount for members is not even acknowledged! You have to ASK for it and insist that you want it. I don't know how the employees deal with these owners for minimum wage, I feel sorry for them. It is very obvious that they are unconcerned, unsympathetic, and unprofessional.

Doesn't Recommend

consurmer1

Joined 2 years ago

This Place Preys Upon Uneducated Consumers. Carolina Tanning Spa enters into contracts with young people who do not understand the implications of such contracts. If someone enters into a contract with this place and does not pay, the account is turned over to Kross Lieberman & Stone, a collection agency, which charges an additional 30% to collect the debt. Beware of Carolina Tanning Spa. Do not sign a contract with them. Besides - tanning is dangerous to your health.

Doesn't Recommend

tatkins37

Joined 2 years ago

THEY WILL STEAL FROM YOU. I moved from Raleigh to the West Coast in November 2009 and Planet Beach / Carolina Tanning have charged my card between $34 - $40.80 EVERY single month, even though I have been to the office THREE times to show proof of new address, my CA license and fill out the necessary paperwork.

At this point Carolina Tanning Spa has blatently stolen more than $500 from me. I am posting this to warn any potential new customers what could happen to you.

Doesn't Recommend

Gsmith76

Joined 2 years ago

Shady shady shady business!. My membership was frozen when Planet Beach dropped them from the franchise and I didn't find out until yesterday when I tried to use the Cary Park location after my 6 month freeze was up.

When I went to talk to the owner someone was signing up so of course he was very polite, told me "no problem" but as soon as that person was gone he became defensive and told me they can change the contract whenever they'd like, even though they are no longer part of PB. I live in Cary and there is no way I am driving to Edwards Mill every time I want to tan!

I have contacted my bank and cancelled my card since they said they would have to charge me every time I did a stop payment on the ACH! I'm glad I didn't give them my checking account information!

Doesn't Recommend

dlfarris10

Joined 3 years ago

Deceptive Contracting/Billing Practices. Just Reported to BBB Case #11062169

My contract with Planet Beach Franchising Corporation is "Null & Void". I have e-mail confirmation from the Planet Beach Franchising Corporation and I do not have a contract with Carolina Tanning Spa. In May of 2010 I was notified that the Planet Beach Tanning Spa was not longer affiliated with these owners. I was told by Planet Beach Franchising Corporation to find a more convenient location. No other location was convenient. I asked if my contract with them was "Null & Void" and they confirmed this via e-mail. The owners of now "Carolina Tanning Spa continue to fraudently bill me through electronic funds transfer. They now have used my wife's debit card number to bill me. I have no contract with Carolina Tanning Spa. I have also submitted this latest transaction 10/4/2010 to my bank as fraud. On may 19, 2010 I received written e-mail notification from Jessica Wattigney, Planet Beach Franchising Corporation, that my contract with Planet Beach was "Null & Void" effective 15, 2010.

My desired resolution with the BBB is to have all charges that have been billed to my wife, daughter, and I since May 15, 2010 refunded. If I am not refunded the total amount of $101.39 I intend to "SUE" this company in Small Claims Court.

They have been nothing but a hassle to deal with and they have a "C - " rating with the BBB. You might want to check out the complaints as well.

IF YOU INTEND TO DO BUSINESS WITH THESE OWNERS, DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO ELECTRONICALLY BILL YOU AUTOMATICALLY

Doesn't Recommend

msbailey2009

Joined 3 years ago

What a mess! Ugh.. Not happy with this place AT ALL... Miss the days when it was Planet Beach and things ran smoothly. (I would like to note this is not about the Falls of Neuse location, this is about Edwards Mill, but that was not an option on here.)

On 3/26/2010, I signed a six month contract (for the six months directly following) with the Planet Beach that used to occupy that building. For a contract, you must set up EFT draft. I paid that day (3/26) for the month of April using my debit card since I was already there buying lotion to halt the EFT draft for April.

Payments I have made for the six months worth of money I owed Planet Beach:

3/26/2010 for the month of April using my debit card that halted EFT draft

5/1 for the month of May with EFT draft

6/1 for the month of June with EFT draft

7/1 for the month of July with EFT draft

8/1 for the month of August with EFT draft

and 9/1 for the month of September with EFT draft.



That is six months.



Jim Barnhill, the owner, e-mailed me saying that I had a late fee for $25.00 for the month of September when they EFT drafted that full amount of what I owed and all of the monies owed were there to cover it. How can I owe late money when it shows as having been drafted and that draft cleared in my account?

He is also saying that I owe him for the month of October, when it is clear that I do not. My debit card expires this month, and he wanted my new information so that he could draft me for October. I told him I was not going to give him that information because I have fulfilled my contractual obligation to pay him six installments, which I have. He told me on the phone that he would send my account to delinquent accounts to go to collections if I did not give him payment for October. He has been bullying me and being very unprofessional and rude.



The other issue I have is that I signed a contract with Planet Beach. The company that Jim works for is not Planet Beach. He works for Carolina Tanning Spas, which now occupies that building and has for around two months.



So to paraphrase, my issue is this:

I do not have a contract with his company and he is claiming I owe him money... but even if that contract was still good, which I do not believe it is, I have fulfilled my obligation to pay for six billing cycles.



I did a google search for reviews of this company and it is clear to me that I am not the only person having this problem. Please stay away from this place! Yes, it's pretty and clean and all of those things... but the worst customer service imaginable!!!

Recommends

Donna Neblett

Joined 3 years ago

Very Pleased. My husband and I have been members at the Falls Pointe location for over 3 years and have always been pleased.

The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The tanning beds and entire building are spotless. We are always given samples of tanning products and lotions to try before we purchase. As members we are allowed to make appointments, a benefit of membership. We have used Planet Beach facilities all over the southeast when travelling and have found the Falls Pointe location to be the best. And the location is perfect. We can make our appointment, run to Harris Teeter, Hallmark or the UPS store to complete our errands. We visited several tanning salons before making our decision to join Planet Beach and there was no question in our mind that Planet Beach was the beast!

Doesn't Recommend

shaekess

Joined 3 years ago

Planet Beach--Falls of Neuse location, North Raleigh!. I recently tried to cancel my membership due to relocation. When I learned of the ridiculous terms and conditions of my contract--I knew something was wrong. I have been a member of 3 different private Planet Beach franchises and know that all cancellation terms are to be consistent. When I learned that in addition to the $50fee/30 days notice (which is normal) I would be paying 50% of the rest of my contract terms, which added up to a total of $400, and that I could not transfer to another location, and that I could not cancel PERIOD without proof that I was now living at least 25 miles out of reach and/or a doctor's note... I knew this location was FISHY...I decided to investigate...

I contacted the corporate office, and the people in charge of the Planet Beach name here in Wake County, and learned that Falls of Neuse location has lost their Planet Beach franchise license and are currently illegally operating under the Planet Beach title. BEWARE--they will try to tell you that they are in the process of "legally separating from the Planet Beach corporation" but the truth is, any contract that you have under this location is NULL AND VOID!

Note: They will try to fight you, but corporate offices are taking care of this matter. I urge anyone who has been wronged by this location to take the same steps if they wish to end their contract without any fees/similar issues. If you need more information, please feel free to contact me. IT is simply wrong that they are doing bad business under the Planet Beach name, as there are several well-managed locations here in the triangle area.