Fashion Nails & Spa, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Visit No. 1, July 2012

Fashion Nails & Spa Brochure (outside)

RATING

 

Service Requested:

• Deluxe pedicure
• Full set of acrylic nails

Issues:

• Many full service salons are offering hot paraffin wax treatments for pedicures; this service is not listed in the salon's brochure.
• The nail technician who provided the pedicure only placed one top coat of clear polish on my toenails instead of two.
• The nail technician who gave me my pedicure didn't ask me if I'd like a design, and prices for designs are not listed in the salon's brochure.
• Though the salon does maintain an online presence on Facebook, they do not have a website. 
• Despite the few issues that this salon has with its services, it was the salon's focus on customer service and satisfaction that drove their rating from four stars to a full five star review (see list of benefits below).

Benefits: 

© 2012 RK Markus. All Rights Reserved

• In lieu of business cards, this salon stocks full-color brochures for patrons to take with them. In addition to the business address and contact numbers, the brochure also lists the various services offered and the prices (see image below).
• The salon honors both walk-ins and appointments.
• This salon focuses heavily on customer service and satisfaction.  Prior to entering the salon, I noticed two nail technicians were standing outside talking. Before I even opened the door to enter, both greeted me and said hello. Upon entering the salon, I hadn't even signed my name when one of the technicians inside greeted me, asking me if I would like a pedicure.This high focus on customer service appears to be a concerted team effort- even technicians who were not directly servicing me were helpful and courteous. For example, after I sat down for my deluxe pedicure (the technician already had the water running before I even sat down), another technician nearby asked me what I would like for my complimentary beverage. I had already brought a fountain soda with me, and so I didn't open my can of soda when it was brought to me. However, when my pedicure was finished, the technician helped me to move my belongings to the table where I would be getting my full set of nails and without me even having to ask, took it upon herself to open the can of soda for me and poured it into my soda bottle (both the were same kinds of soft drink).
• Most (if not all) of the technicians at this salon are bilingual- fluent in both Vietnamese and English. I have traveled to many nail salons throughout the United States (and internationally as well), and many of the salons I have visited over the years were run largely by hardworking Vietnamese immigrants. However, in several salons, there were a number of technicians who spoke and comprehended very little English, which made it difficult for me, as a customer, to get the services I wanted or to have my questions answered. This is not the case at Fashion Nails & Spa. At Fashion Nails & Spa, I have witnessed these technicians go out of their way to converse with myself and other customers in English.
• Fashion Nails & Spa offers customers a number of beverages to choose from, including red and white wines either by the glass or the bottle; champagne and mimosas; Smirnoff coolers; a number of different beers (including lite beers); canned and bottled soda; and bottled water. The entire selection of beverages are listed on the outside of their brochure. Patrons ordering a Deluxe Pedicure ($35.00) receive a complimentary beverage of their choice!
• Though this is my first official review of this nail salon, I have visited this location on several occasions before. During my visits, I have noticed that every two to four months, the owner makes considerable improvements to the building. For example, during this recent visit, I noticed what appeared to be wallpaper covering all of the very large windows in front of the store. However, once inside, I realized that these were window tints from the owner and learned that she had recently had them installed.



© 2012 RK Markus. All Rights Reserved

• The salon has a nice selection of polish colors available. 

• After sitting down to get my full set of nails applied, the technician asked me what service I would like. When she was finished applying the nails, she placed two top coats of clear polish on my fingernails. I asked her if I could have a second coat on my nails. She replied that she had already placed a second coat on my nails, but said she would put a third coat on, which she did without complaint and without arguing about who was right or wrong.
• This salon offers specials for children aged eight years and younger. They even have a Hello Kitty! pedicure throne for tots.
• On only one occasion in the past have I dealt with a technician at this salon who relentlessly pushes, in lieu of simply offering, customers to order higher priced services, but this was quickly corrected, and I have not had any problems since that time.

Fashion Nails & Spa Brochure (inside)