MOD Update: Merchant has now offered refund and apology. Also official response here. Consider case closed.
MOD Update 2: Thread closed. Legal threat issued to both the OP and to OzBargain.
MOD Update 3: Merchant has now opted to all their comments removed via a support ticket. All 10 comments except the top linked above (official response) are now removed. Please do not vote down on the remaining comments so they will stay visible.
Original Post
I woke up with really bad cold and diarhea yesterday morning and was supposed to go for a massage at this place at 3 pm. I booked using voucher bought from Living Social. I called up this place at 9 AM and spoke to the boss and asked if it's possible to reschedule because I am unwell. He said somone will call you back then hung up. I was left confused and not sure whether it meant YES or something else.
I waited and waited, still no calls- I called few times at 11:30 AM, no one was picking up the calls. I left a voicemail repeating my question if it's OK to reschedule, if not I will keep the appointment and come in at 3 PM.
At 1 PM I called again to let them know I was going to my appointment but no one picked up the call. I arrived at the place at 2:45 PM and the girl looked at me and said she's cancelled my appointment. I was shocked and told her that no one called me to inform of the cancellation. She said she was going to call me but have been busy. I asked since I was there could I just have the massage because she won't let me re-schedule. She told me if I want to re-schedule I need to pay full price of $100 instead of $39.
I tried to eason with her and reminded her that I did not cancel the appointment, I was only asking if I can re-schedule and if not that I am willing to come in anyway. She said it's not her problem, she's cancelled it and that I should leave the place because she's busy.
I was feeling quite ill by the time I got to this place after walking for about 40 minutes from my apartment, I couldn't take tram because I felt dizzy. She started raising her voice and kept telling me to go and not bother her. At this point I am not sure how or why but I felt so anxious or maybe it was a panick attact? or maybe because of the strong perfume/essential oil in the place. I started hyperventilating- could not breath and very dizzy. I went to sit at the edge of the seats at the reception because I felt like I was going to pass out.
Instead of asking if I was alright, she told me to go outside because she has to leave and she's busy. She opened the door and told me to go outside. When I got outside, I was so weak and fell on to the pavement in front of the store. The female staff member told me to not sit there because it does not look good for their store. She kept telling me to move, I could not even speak at this point and I gave her gesture saying"give me a monet". She then went on to lock the door of the place and walked away. Not after giving me their price list and told me to call and book for their $100 massage.
I still could not believe what happened and how could someone be so cold and has no compassion. Luckily I was able to find a friend to pick me up.
What do you guys think of this? is this normal occurence? What should I do to get my money back and maybe have them apologize for how the girl treated me like a piece of garbage?
The voucher does states cancellation subject to 48 hours notice, which I am quite aware of. Which is why I called in the morning and asked if it's OK, if not I will still come in anyway because I didn't want to forfeit my voucher. Another thing is, I was not planning on getting sick so how can I call 48 hours in advance?
In fact I was looking forward to the massage because I had to wait one month for the booking and been having pains in my shoulder from going to the gym.