Yeah, I got scammed big time by the Chicago office.

Back in January I went to American Lase Center In Chicago Ill. At first I was only interested in their free consultation. They were quite pushy and after pushing numbers around to make the price look more attractive they talked me into putting $85 down and signing a contract for a grand total of $1885. After I got home and did some research of my own I decided I did not want to go with them due to some very negative feed back I found online.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/214/RipOff0214654.htm

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/american-laser-centers-c10866.html

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/fraud-c130633.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/181/RipOff0181678.htm

http://www.medicalspamd.com/the-blog/2007/3/16/american-laser-clinics-part-1-armed-guards-threats.html

Just to list a few of the many complaints I found. I also have a friend that goes to the ALC in Indianapolis Indiana and she tells me that the lasers they use are very ineffective. Shes had over 12 treatments and still has to shave every day.

I called ALC back and told them that I wished to cancel and was told by the Clinic manager, Dolly, that A refund would be no problem but it would take 8 to 16 weeks to process and be redeposited to my credit card. So I waited... 10 weeks, 12 weeks , 16 weeks... Finally after waiting 17 weeks I called back and got no answer at all. I called several more times leaving a voice mail every time. I never received a call back. Finally I found their customer service number online and called them. I talked to a lady named Kim who was very helpful and informed me that ALC Chicago never filed the refund at all. She said she would contact the Chicago manager and have them contact me as well as put in a request for refund for me. She also told me she would bring the issue up with senior management.

Well, two more weeks have gone by and I called them again. No answer from the Chicago clinic and when I checked their web site for the customer service number again I discovered that it had been removed. I dialed the number on my receipt as it was different then the number on the business card I had been given. It was a wrong number. The lady that answered said she gets calls for them all the time.

So finally I call their toll free consultation number and explain that I am trying to get in touch with the customer service department. They were kind enough to give me the number and connect me.

The lady I spoke to this time did not state her name. She told me that a note had been entered that I had spoke to Kim but no information about what was discussed. I explained my situation to her again. She then tells me that they charge a 10% administrative fee for refunds. I was aware of this but then she tells me that I need to go to the Chicago office and file a refund request form!  I'm sorry, but I'm not driving two hours into the next state to file a form! I tell her as much. She then tells me that the 10% fee would be 10% of $1885 not just the $85 I put down! I don't effing think so!
 
I know that some are very happy with the results and service the received from ALC But I feel scammed and cheated.

I believe that ALC locations are "franchise" in nature. Bad customer service? Yes. However there are some who have reported positive things about them. The best advice I have read is to your research on the lasers type(s) used at a particular location.

Best advice ever, dont be bullied into closing a deal being shoved at you by a pushy salesperson.

I just hope they don't continue to charge your credit card, you might want to call them.

I have read WAY more bad things about them than positive.  A friend of mine got a quote from them a few weeks back (in spite of my warnings).  The price they quoted her was about twice as much as any place I've gotten a consult at.  They told her they would do the neck "for free" - right, "free".  I would put them on the same level as used car salesmen.

They sound like a bunch of crooks to me. I feel scammed just reading about it.

if i were you i would contact your credit card company.  thats crap charging an "administration fee"... like for what. i smell bull->-bleeped-<-.  If they cant manage this how will your hair removal turn out.