Un-Sun Tanning Salon leaves customers in the dark
The Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland provides us with this installment of Naughty Business of the Week: Un-Sun Tanning Salon.
This purveyor of artificial sunlight appeared to have closed up suddenly, leaving customers holding worthless gift cards and tanning packages, according to a story in the Catonsville Times.
Unfortunately, the Catonsville salon is not affiliated with stores of the same name in Reisterstown and Columbia, so those locations will not honor cards prepaid elsewhere.
In a pun-laden warning about customers "getting burned" by the Catonsville salon, the BBB also notes that personal items such as googles and lotions left at the salon before it closed can probably never be retrieved.
What should a consumer do?
1. File a complaint with the state attorney general's office by calling 410-528-8662 or at the consumer protection unit's Web site. The office can try to get some of that money back for customers "left in the dark." (sorry, you can thank the BBB again for that one!)
Raquel Guillory, the spokeswoman of the AG's office, told the Catonsville Times that it's harder to recoup money when businesses such as tanning salons close because they aren't bonded --- required to put up money to reimburse consumers if they close suddenly.
"Ideally, a business owner should leave instructions or information for their customers, if they must close their business down," says Angie Barnett, the BBB's president and CEO. "But consumers need to exercise due diligence when paying upfront for products and services. Read the fine print, ask questions, and look for policies regarding refunds, cancellations and store closings before you buy."
This isn't the first time we at Consuming Interests have given you gift card tips and warnings, as well as ideas of how to sell gift cards. Check them out.
(photo: Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)
Comments
I'm a former Un-Sun customer who was about 10 days into a two-month unlimited tanning package when the doors were locked without warning.
On a lark, I contacted my credit card company -- Chase -- after a week of being unable to access services at Un-Sun. When I explained the situation to them, they were more than happy to credit my account for the membership, since I never got what I purchased.
Now I suppose the owner of Un-Sun could dispute my dispute of the charge and elongate the process. But since she's apparently closed up shop, I'm not sure my $44.95 would make or break her bottom line. But my guess is that a lot of the people who purchased unlimited packages from her could do the same. As is the case with credit card companies, it never hurts to ask, right?
At any rate, continuing to sell memberships if you have an inkling your business might be closing qualifies as "theft by deception" in my book. And I wouldn't be surprised if Maria doesn't have some warrants already filed against her. I should have known something was amiss when she and her daughter were the only ones at the front desk, instead of the usual bevy of high school- and college-aged gals.
Funny, if the business is belly-up and Un-Sun is closed, who is paying for the neon light that remains on pretty much all the time in the front window? Especially in these times of tight economics and high electric prices ...
Former customer, thanks for pointing out this great tip --- asking credit card companies for a charge-back for any undelivered good or service is a great protection that the cards provide. --- lfk
Posted by: a former Un-Sun customer | July 8, 2008 2:29 PM
Former Customer, please feel free to email me if you would like the name of a good reputable salon in your area...
Salon Consultant, FI
DoreenC@FutureIndustries.com
DD: Thanks for the offer, Doreen. For readers of the blog, we're not familiar with Doreen or her company so I just want to remind everyone to use due diligence when contacting anyone on this site. We want everyone to help each other be better shoppers and help guide each other to good businesses. But please, check and double check backgrounds on businesses and please, common sense says share no personal data with anyone. Doreen, if you want to post another comment recommending some salons in the Baltimore area, that might be easier. Thanks.
Posted by: Doreen C | July 8, 2008 4:27 PM
This is very interesting. I work for a company that manages and tracks gift cards, and I've been following gift cards related issues on savvywallet.com. Recently companies have filed for bankruptcy, and technically, they don't have to pay up, when they belly up. However, it seems as if, they just closed their doors, without letting anyone know. Even though filing a claim is one of few legal things to do, the best is to post it on the internet, find out who own un-sun and try to create enough press and embarrassment and get the company to pay up. There is light at the end of the tunnel. A restaurant in PA, closed down and contacted the local news station, and offered to refund all unused gift cards. It's the retailer being responsible, something Un-Sun should strive to be.
Posted by: Austin Chu | July 8, 2008 6:11 PM
wow, this news really saddened me. i also went by the shop to find it closed. i feel so bad for maria... she did everything so well, the place was always immaculate and she was always so sweet. she really cared and looked out for her customers. she knew almost all of them on a first name basis.. for this to happen, it had to have been the last resort. she worked hard to build it to what is was.. most customers dont understand all of the overhead and dues involved in running a business, in todays economy, all it takes is a few weak months and it is very hard to ever get back on track. i know for a fact this had to be the hardest thing she ever had to do, she is one of the sweetest people i know, i have been a customer for over 5 years, maria and the business will be missed. if i had known that things werent going well i would have gladly tried to give more or do more to help recruit business for her.i know she had alot of loyal customers and if they all would rally around her to help maybe she can re- open or just help her get through this without making her feel as if she ripped them off on purpose... there is no way she would ever do anything like that. i only wish her the best in all of this and as for my 25 dollars or less that is lost.... i only hope it can be put towards anything she may need to clear this up. thanks maria, for being open when i needed the rest and the tan. good luck to you and come visit me when you can
Posted by: diane the cake lady | July 8, 2008 11:04 PM
Great Tips! I posted a similar incident that happened in Missouri on by blog, http://www.giftcardblogger.com/bankruptcy-and-gift-cards-a-success-story/, where customers of a local spa that went out of business were able to successfully petition the Missouri state attorney general's office and were able to get the spa owners to pay up to $103,000 to redeem the gift cards and certificates.
Since gift cards are essentially unsecured loans to the card issuer, consumers have very limited options when the company goes bankrupt since unsecured creditors are at the bottom of the pecking order by which creditors are paid in a bankruptcy.
The state attorney general's office is the best available option for consumers to try to get some money back.
Posted by: Kwame Kuadey | July 10, 2008 4:52 AM
Bodyworks Tannery is 17 bed tanning salon, open 7 days a week, located in Elkridge. We offer 12, 20, and 30 minute tanning. We are located less than 10 miles from UnSun's Catonsville location. We welcome all UnSun customers that are looking for somewhere else to tan. Visit our website for location, prices, and coupons.
www.bodyworkstannery.com
Posted by: Bodyworks | July 10, 2008 3:44 PM
to diane the cake lady: who cares anymore what maria's going thru! WE LOST MONEY TOO!!!!!!!! I don't care how sweet she was, SHE SCREWED US knowing full well what she was doing. SHE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED AND ASHAMED OF HERSELF!
Posted by: anna | August 6, 2008 4:21 PM
ALL SEASONS TANNING IS LOCATED IN LINTHICUM, MARYLAND EXIT 6B CAMP MEADE ROAD WE ARE A SMALL SALON WITH 7 BEDS BUT WE ARE VERY HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY
PLEASE COME AND VISIT OR CONTACT US AT 410-859-9786
DD: Please check all businesses out online through the AG's Office and BBB before using any service. Thanks.
Posted by: ALL SEASONS TANNING SALON | August 10, 2008 4:55 PM
Please understand that Maria IS NOT someone to feel sorry for. She and her husband Conrad have PLENTY of money. Maria is NOT as sweet as people might think. She is VERY manipulative and money hungry. Her son is the one people should want to help.
I hate that many people lost money on tanning packages...please make a complaint!!! You deserve better :-)
Posted by: Taylor | October 18, 2008 11:02 AM