Had a shocking experience yesterday at a massage place called - Advanced Myotherapy at Carlton

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?

Related Stores

advanced-myotherapy.com
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closed Comments

    • +2

      Like the old saying goes "make a customer happy you gain 10 customers, make a customer unhappy you lose 10 customers"

  • +13

    The reps comments are shocking…

  • potentially thousands of people will read it and draw assumptions of that business

    Indeed….. irrespective of whatever the truth is…..
    Reps are all 'bad' by default here…. There are two sides to every story, but not here…. here, the reps are all liars.
    It has become very easy to severely damage a business these days…. business rivals, disgruntled employees, mischief makers, genuine customers, etc are all judged to be right…. Reps are wrong.

    It's probably better they just say nothing and take the hit…. whatever they say is disbelieved or misconstrued… course, if they say nothing, they are also castigated…
    lose/lose

    • +3

      Not true this could so easily turn into a win/win.

      For example rep takes a deep breath and offers to make up for the bad experienceie by creating a new one.

      This new positive experience could then be posted here and i dont see the loss, a business could easily afford the marketing budget and the goodwill of one appointment.

      So sad this is only seen in a negative light. I guess mainly because the rep doesnt realise the exposure created.

      • For example rep takes a deep breath and offers to make up for the bad experienceie by creating a new one.

        Not sure that would be an option…..

        but after this behaviour at our clinic making such a scene, we would not welcome you back.

        None of us know what that behaviour was….. none of us was there…

        They offered the voucher value back… despite no obligation to…

        This is a classic 'he said/she said', but because one is a rep… they are immediately disadvantaged here…. The angry mob are easily roused

        • +2

          No idea what scene she was referring to, when I asked her on my post if she cares to explain what scene I caused, there were no replies at all.

          She did not offer to give me refund to my Living social account, the only credit she would give is if I agree to book for the full priced $100 massage- which means I would need to pay another $61 for the massage. In the first place I was not the one who cancelled the appointment, so why do I have to pay another $61?

        • Rep has used up the 5 initial posts allowed as a new member, so can no longer reply.

        • That's been now bypassed. Rep is free to respond here. And yes, the rep is confirmed to be who she says she is.

    • +6

      Its untrue. What you failed to realise is that it may seem that reps are always wrong here because most of the issue was caused by customers who were not able to solve the issues directly with the sellers. If the sellers were able to resolve issues quickly you wont find customers venting out their frustrations here.

      However, in some cases it was actually the customers failure to notice the T&C before complaining to the public.

      But for this case with AMC, whether or not it was the customer's fault, the rep showed a lack of skill in handling a customer's complaint professionally hence the rep lost sympathy from the community. This could have been handled better had the rep didn't spit out some condescending comments which I think are a bit personal.

      Perhaps the rep forgot to take into account the amount of traffic OzB receives everyday.

      • Rep only joined OzB today in self defence. Shame really.

        • How do you know she actually works for the company?

        • See Mods confirmation post above.

  • +3

    Anyway guys, I will be calling Living social for a refund first thing in the morning tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes. Thanks for the advices and kind words.

    • You can actually CALL Living Social? Not just email?

      • Erm…I hope so. I think there's a 1800 number somewhere on their website.

        • Ok. Well, that's good then.

        • -2

          Living Social will quote T&C's - ie cancellation within 48hrs negates voucher.
          They're unlikely to refund - it's just business, so dont get upset with them too.

          Everything was fine - till OP rang and said was sick (rightly taken as a cancellation call but politely fobbed off), besides who would want to phyically interact with someone sick with diorhea.

          Then turned up at 3PM - sick as a dog !! to selfishly save losing out on $39. Definitely would cancel then and there (OH&S issues right there.)

          I'd say evolve2love is a qualified worker/therapist - but unqualified at PR.
          The director is going to flip his lid when he reads this post tomorrow.
          Hope its been worth the $39 to his business.

  • -1
    • how do we know evolve2love represents the company?
    • maybe it was the best thing that happened. You could pass out and maybe worse during the massage and no one would know
    • speak to them directly and do a chargeback via your bank
    • if this story is true and evolve2love does represent the company, then they havent done the damage control very well
  • +6

    i love PR fails. so much entertainment. unfortunately at the expense of the OP, that is.

    • +1

      Are you perpetuating for your continued enjoyment ?
      PS. I'm with you ;)

  • +32

    I come to OzBargain for the deals, I stay for the drama

    • couldn't have said it better myself ;)

  • -1

    Tut-Tut Parisienne, perhaps SkMed's theory above is true afterall. It fits your MO.

  • +1

    Anyone like me who ran out of ammo (negative votes) too early in this thread? I think we should have at least 10 rounds each day. It's not as if we're in a war and have to ration them coz we're cut off from supplies :p

    • How many did you waste on me Strangeloops ?

      • I never waste ammo. No shots fired at you.

        • Thanks, I need the love today. Too much bad.

    • But doesn't negging hide their (reps) embarrassing comments?

      • not if you have the show hidden comment tab clicked, which i do

        • +4

          I do too, but I think many new members and probably guest visitors too don't know about the option.
          This had been an interesting read!

  • +6

    Who are you MITM? Seems to know a lot about this and those involved.

    I might make an appointment with this place tomorrow. And then vomit over everyone working there.

    • -3

      Why, are you sick too?
      Find us another booze deal please.

  • +4

    hahaha the rep's comments have taken the business to new lows. Well done evolve2love, for single handedly destroying the integrity and reputation of your business.

    • -3

      Single handedly ? - Couldn't have done it without Lusical.

  • I could not even speak at this point and I gave her gesture saying"give me a monet"

    Alcohol isn't the solution.

    It seems like a comedy off errors, but I have a feeling there is 3 sides to this story.

    I wondered what would of happened, if the boss, just said, No, you can't reschedule.

    To the OP, as someone else has already said, your health is worth more than $39.00

    Good Luck

    • +3

      by alcohol, you mean impressionist art right?

      By far the most entertaining part of this kerfuffle has been the rep's comments - so cringeworthy.

      • +1

        by alcohol, you mean impressionist art right?

        PMSL

  • +2

    MITM = jv's distant cousin? Haha :) Thanks for the humourous comments.

    On a more serious note, this thread has been rather entertaining. I'll give it 3/5 stars.

    • Not aware of JV - care to elaborate more moo?
      Only 3 stars ? Now that it has a happy ending - worth 4 at least ?

      • Well, the plot was rather predictable and the finale was slightly dissapointing. Basically it reminds me of a typical love story with the following plot "Girl likes guy, but guy plays hard to get. Guy thought he could do better, but failed to find another girl. So guy went back to original girl, but girl rejected guy as she had already given him a chance. Guy cried with hands over head shouting "whyyyyyyyyyyyyy???" The end."

        Oh and it had no zombies. Hence 3/5 stars.

        • There was at least 1 zombie. Which, I'm not sure. And there was definitely no love - though I was trying hard.
          But there was money - where does that fit in to your plot ?
          And JV ..?

  • -5

    Well, Lusical - you have received an offer as you requested, are you going to graciously accept and move on without predjudice ? as this was the crux of your complaint.
    E2L - you should re-post your last post for all to read the outcome.
    (Parisienne - you should be ashamed of your actions, and should have received the most negs.)

    EDIT: In the name of a happy Ending, here'tis :-

    " evolve2love 49 min ago
    We have phoned Luciana to offer a refund and were hung up on. We will certainly be refunding the value of the voucher and apologise for the confusion around our policy however it is stated on our website. Having been called and informed she was unwell, we cancelled the appointment and were going to call her asap to reschedule. As we were fully booked, we sometimes are not able to return calls until the end of a day. The other client who arrived at the same time was booked with another therapist and did not take Luciana's booking as a replacement. We certainly were not going to treat her being unwell and offering the value back immediately was the first thing we did asking her to call when she was feeling better to rebook her appointment."
    ………………………………………………………………..
    Now can we all get some sleep. Please.
    PS: Earned my 100 comment badge during this session. Cheers.

    • -1

      Congrats on the ton!

    • +3

      MITM, Luciana also wants an apology for the way she was treated. The apology the rep has given is only for the confusion caused surrounding their policy.

      The rep should also be apologising for some of her comments directed at Luciana in this thread.

    • +5

      I wouldnt say they were earned.

    • +5

      Yes MITM, she has called to offer reschedule, to which I politely declined and I asked for refund. She told me have to do this by personally contacting Living Social. Which I was happy to do.
      But then she went on to say that I should take down my post on ozbargain because I am spreading negativity and that she thinks I have emotional problems. Would you be happy if someone who is not a psychologistor even doctor to say you have emotional problems?

    • +7

      WHY WOULD I BE ASHAMED OF ANYTHING MITM ? What "actions" specifically are you referring to? The letting some friends know about a negative situation and how to avoid it ? The fact i shared this post with another site i frequent? (in which this is a relevant matter)and got some feedback that stated others would not go here ? PUUUURLEASE.I didn't respond to this thread to get either +ve's or -ve's…i posted to express my disgust at such treatment (for which i feel NO SHAME AT ALL,AND received no negs).

  • +13

    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/98410#comment-1317535
    evolve2love 3 hours 9 min ago

    We have phoned Luciana to offer a refund and were hung up on. We will certainly be refunding the value of the voucher and apologise for the confusion around our policy however it is stated on our website. Having been called and informed she was unwell, we cancelled the appointment and were going to call her asap to reschedule. As we were fully booked, we sometimes are not able to return calls until the end of a day. The other client who arrived at the same time was booked with another therapist and did not take Luciana's booking as a replacement. We certainly were not going to treat her being unwell and offering the value back immediately was the first thing we did asking her to call when she was feeling better to rebook her appointment.

    Wow… just wow. What a massive change in demeanor. Clearly a desperate attempt at damage control after realising the huge damage already caused to the business. Unfortunately the damage to business and reputation will be ongoing because Google indexes this site and OzBargain often comes up in searches (not to mention the other websites mentioned in this thread that have subsequently also received negative feedback for this particular business).

    …were hung up on.

    Just as he hung up on Luciana, promising a return phone call? LOL…

    As we were fully booked, we sometimes are not able to return calls until the end of a day.

    I suggest you rework your booking schedules. You need to at least allow a little time during the day to complete some basic admin tasks like making phone calls - especially when you promise to - whether you're fully booked or not.

    I think your belated apology and refund offer - and strangely differing "explanation" compared to your earlier comments - is too little, too late. The damage has been done. No person with any kind of logic would accept this as a genuine apology or explanation if they look back through "evolve2love's" earlier comments.

    I hope "evolve2love" has "evolved" somewhat through this experience.

    • +1

      Completely agree.

  • I agree with the whole 'two sides to every story' sentiment, though it's a bit unfortunate (and ironic) that the rep system hides the less popular side.

    Whatever happened earlier in the day resulted in the cancellation of her appointment. It sounded like both parties may have been at fault for not knowing the T&Cs for these kinds of sales deals, and also for the miscommunication that made her risk the 40min walk with diarrhoea to the place (lol sorry for the thought). Whatever the case, there must have been something going on when she actually showed up. I mean to have a potential customer asked to leave the premises, and eventually being locked out, then falling to the ground short of breath and having to dial 000 for herself… perhaps she was a little taken aback or even dehydrated (she must have had a shit day), but it does also sound like she was a bit hysteric and it does sound like there were other customers there who may have witnessed it.

    The lesson from this story for me is that "the customer is always right" is an ethic that'll save a lot of butthurt.

    To me I don't think this is bad publicity. Before today, I didn't know this place existed and now I do lol.

    • +3

      To me I don't think this is bad publicity. Before today, I didn't know this place existed and now I do lol.

      Tounge-in-cheek comment, I know.

      Believe me, this IS bad publicity for the business involved - both through word-of-mouth and indexed web searches.

      Yes, there are always 2 sides to the story. But in this case the rep dug the hole herself, all by herself. In the end she has been forced to try and climb out of it with less than convincing style.

  • Here are my last 2 posts, so people can easily see what has been said as I have been advised to do so.

    "We have phoned Luciana to offer a refund and were hung up on. We will certainly be refunding the value of the voucher and apologise for the confusion around our policy however it is stated on our website. Having been called and informed she was unwell, we cancelled the appointment and were going to call her asap to reschedule. As we were fully booked, we sometimes are not able to return calls until the end of a day. The other client who arrived at the same time was booked with another therapist and did not take Luciana's booking as a replacement. We certainly were not going to treat her being unwell and offering the value back immediately was the first thing we did asking her to call when she was feeling better to rebook her appointment.

    I actually called Matt to come and see if you were ok given I had to leave, though he said he was busy. I literally made an appointment when this booking was cancelled that was personally pressing. To read the original title of this post as saying "Traumatic" over shocking, made me wonder if you understood the real traumas people live through, if that's what you relate it to. I admit that was hot blooded of me to say after seeing this attack so I apologise, for trauma is an area I have worked with closely as a previous Youth Welfare worker and someone who grew up to know trauma quite well. I would encourage all readers to research our practice before commenting to see we have over 100 testimonials and are in fact a very credible clinic. This is for the clinic alone, beyond my personal business as a therapist which is run through the clinic itself. As an author, you can see on my own website that I care very deeply about helping people recover from "Trauma" which may have been why you see passion strike in the face of the original title. The Sacred Psychology of Healing is a book that I wrote to help people overcome trauma and is praised by world leading Human Behavioral Specialists and best selling authors. Please consider the whole story for a better perspective. What's so mis-fortunate here is that I apologised profusely for having to leave her in that state, and again as I said, called Matt to go and see what he could do, but he was unable to be there."

    • +9

      Which is why I changed the title to shocking because I did research what traumatic means and thought of people who went through much more suffering such as rape or murder and decided to changed the title.

  • +9

    Yes rep has called me yesterday using blocked number and I listened to what she had to say. She told me she didn't know that the director didn't tell me that reschedule means cancelled. Even though on Saturday she told me that she was standing beside him when I called and she heard our conversation. But that's fine I said, I understand maybe there was mis-communication between her and him. She then went on and said she would never turn away any customers, even though I had cold and diarhea but she would usually still see the customers. She told me but because she thought my appointment was cancelled, she made an appointment to see someone else. That's why she couldn't give me treatment when I got there at 3 PM.

    I said OK, I understand.

    She then asked me if I would like to reschedule, I said I appreciate it but I think I would prefer to get refund if that's OK? she said yes but she doesn't know how to do it and that I have to personally call Living social. I said OK, I was going to call Living social on Tuesday morning anyway, so no Problem.

    So everything was good up to this point, I appreciated her taking time to call me. Note that throughout this conversation I coughed now and then because I was still recovering from my cold.

    Then next thing she said was, I should take down my post from ozbargain because I was spreading so much negativity and that she thinks because I have a lot of stress in my life right now and that she feels sorry for me. I said " Excuse me?" what do you mean?

    She then said that she could tell when someone has emotional problems. I might not have rosy cheeks and sparkly eyes when I went there on Saturday, but there's no way I have emotional problems. I am happy with my life right now, no mortgage, enjoy my work, been going to gym and eat healthy.

    At this point I got pretty upset because she has no qualification to diagnose someone's mental health. I asked I don't take down my posts then she's not going to let Living social give me a refund then? she then went on to say actually she doesn't really care what people say on ozbargain because at the end of the day if I check out their website, I could see there are a lot of testimonials from their customers anyway. AT this point I realised that we were going nowhere and I told her that I am sorry but I don't think we need to speak anymore. And I was also coughing at this time as well so I just hung up.

  • +9

    I am very easy to pleased sort of person, if she had apologize and said she would help with the refund and that if I could please take down my posts on ozbargain without saying that I have emotional problems and spreading negativity, I would have gladly done this.

    I did not post about the phone call because I did not want to what some people here called "whinge" and I thought I better concentrate on recovering and getting ready to get back to work this morning.

    But hey, what do I know, when I woke up this morning I saw that rep has decided to take advantage of my silence about the phone call and spin the truth.
    Bravo….she's a very smart woman I must say

  • +6

    The director forwarded me a legal action letter about this post.

    <MOD: Name removed>

    • +13

      Well at least they are consistantly dodgy, if i was in the area/state i would personally protest outside the business and make other customers aware of the actions here.

      Absolutely disgusting and typical ivory tower syndrome, you are never better than anyone else.

      Still suprised they are in business, must be shonky.

        • +10

          You make it worse not better that way. Least i am able to write words to describe what i am thinking :)

    • -6

      Can't say I'm surprised.
      Based on what you said, they have been unprofessional, showed no compassion and most of all just plain stupid by getting involved in an argument on a public website where everyone can see their posts, which to be honest are not very smart.
      Not to mention that they have absolutely no right to judge anyone, let alone tell someone they know nothing about that they have mental issues. That is just extremely stupid.

      Having said all that, they have offered you a refund and an apology, so why are you still here talking about it? By doing what they did, the matter is over and done with as far as they are concerned and you really don't have any further right to badmouth them. Its called defamation and while you had the right to complain when the thread started, they have done what they could to close this matter.
      I suggest you do the same and you now know not to use those coupons again and of course to avoid this place in the future. By all means, keep turning your family and friends away from this place, but there really isn't any further point posting here. If anything, as mentioned above, it could only result in them suing you for continuing defamation even after they have offered a refund and an apology.

      • +6

        Understand what you are saying, not sure about the apology though, because as I said, she called me yesterday and repeatedly saying she feels sorry for me because obviously I have emotional troubles. And also I can't find anywhere on her posts that she actually apologized for personal attacks on me and especially calling me emotionally troubled.
        Either way I am just going to move on now because it's really not worth my time anymore. I have job to do and stuffs.
        I am no lawyer, but is calling someone "Emotionally troubled" on public forum not a defamation also?

        • -6

          Not really, you are an individual and nobody here knows you. They on the other hand are a business (perhaps an unprofessional one, but a business nevertheless) and as such they are know to the public.
          Good decision deciding to drop the issue and move on with more important things in your life.

        • +2

          I think you could have a professional assessment saying you are NOT emotionally troubles, then sue them for defamation.

          That's IF the result comes positive (you are a OK), but if the result comes negatives (you are a not OK mentally), they can sue you in return.

          Happy assessing :)

    • +2

      You must have rubbed him up the wrong way ;)

      • Ha ha, you are funny :)

    • I believe, but am no lawyer, that as long as what you have said is truthful there is no libel or slander however for the business to imply that there is something wrong with you mentally (stress related) I understand that you may be able to take legal action against them. Really though, the apology and refund should be enough to end the whole sorry affair.

    • please post it up for all to see.

      • +5

        I don't know how to? do I just do a screenshot of the email and "paste" here?
        Basically the email is titled : Slander - legal action being taken! Remove this post regarding Advanced Myotherapy not within the websites posting terms and conditions​!

        Then in the body of email it lists out the TERMS and CONDITIONS on proper use of OZBARGAIN.

        I saw that he has also sent a same email to [email protected]

  • +7

    One more dodgy massage place to avoid, it has been added to my list. Thanks

  • +3

    I would never buy another voucher from any of these sites, I bough a couple from dailydeals and the moment I tried to ring and book appointment the place was closed for renovation. These sort of deals are dodgy and everyone should avoid them. These are only offered by shonky business that otherwise don't get any customers.

  • +3

    Case "not so" closed?

  • +7

    “I had knee restriction and pain for around 7 months which stopped me from being able to do certain stretches in Yoga. After just 2 treatments with Matt, I was FREE from the annoyance and knew exactly how to continue the healing process, which I know helped immensely.” - Leah Jade, Author / Astrologer

    taken from
    http://www.advanced-myotherapy.com/?page_id=33

    On their website they have a testimonial from someone who works at the place..That just seems dodgy.

    • LOL, hilarious

    • +2

      Does anyone actually believe those "testimonials"? I mean seriously, not just in this case, but overall? Some might be real, but for the most part, i think they are fake and dodgy.

  • Please stay on track with discussion and NOT attack either the OP or the Rep.

  • +19

    Hi OP. My 2 cents are that you should not be removing your posts and that no moderators or forum admin should remove your posts or the topic at all. This company deserve the bad reputation they're building for their poor choices when handling your situation. You have done all the right things in this scenario and they have treated you badly and lied multiple times to try and save face. They are coming undone and thus threatening 'legal action' - but I very much doubt there is much they can do given the fact that you have not said a wrong word about them. Although, technically it is defamation, it is absolutely, 100% true, substantially true! And here they are questioning your mental health, thinking they have any claim to legal action! Absolutely, cannot believe my eyeballs, terrible. I wish their business all the bad luck and negative karma in the world. P.S. I hope you are feeling much better <3

  • I've updated the post this morning linking the merchant responding to OP at the top of the page. The matter should have been settled and case closed. However it does not appear to be the case here. We have suggested the OP to move on, which OP has agreed. I am, however, closing this thread as it has now escalated into legal issues.

    As it's been stated, OP is not the only part being sent a legal threat. OzBargain has also received a few emails this morning with the intent to sue. While it is not our intention to remove threads of dispute between merchants and consumers, there's no guarantee when the court is involved. Just be aware of that.

    Finally, please do not post legal advice here and what constitute a "fact", "opinion", "defamation", "slander" etc. Feel free to email me (or via contact form), but no need to post / discuss publicly.

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