A Tempe tattoo removal shop abruptly closed its doors leaving customers to figure out what do next.
Dr. Tattoff, located on Mill Ave near University, shutdown at the beginning of February. The business offered discounts for prepaid packages.
Some patients are not happy about how that is being resolved.
Customers say they received an email informing them of the closure, and directing them redeem unused sessions at the nearest Dr. Tattoff office, located in Montclair, California.
Some patients let me know they think the suggestion is unfair.
Patient Kailee says she paid $451 for five treatments and has only received one.
In an email she writes, "everyone who signed up and paid for these treatment packages over the past couple months did so under the pretenses that they would be getting their treatments in Arizona, not in California."
Dr. Tattoff spokesman Harry L. Zimmerman tells me in addition to recommending that customers go to California, the company is also "actively working to secure another quality provider of laser tattoo and laser hair removal services in the Phoenix area that will take over the treatment obligations to these patients."
Zimmerman did not respond to our questions about why refunds are not being offered for unused sessions.
He did say that patients could also opt to receive Dr. Tattoff gift certificates and use them at any of their offices in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta. He also suggested that they could be "sold through Craigslist, Ebay, etc. as a way for the patients to recoup money they laid out."
Zimmerman added that staff were not informed about the loss of their jobs until the night before the closure.
So what can customers do now?
If you want your money back, fight the charge with your credit card company as soon as possible.
You may also want to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
No matter how good the deal, paying up front for anything is risky.
So it's safest to avoid the practice altogether, if not, make sure to use a credit card for payment so you have a better chance of getting your money back.
Need my help or want to volunteer to help others as part of the Assistance League of Phoenix team, call us at 855-323-1515.
And you can reach me on Twitteror "like" the Let Joe Know Facebook page and tell me about it there.
