03/08/09

I'm the opposite of a "salon snob"...

by sweethome918

Charles Penzone's is okay, I guess... I'm not much of a "girly girl" but still care what I look like, and when I walked in I wasn't offered drinks or anything even though everyone else was. My stylist didn't even shampoo my hair, she cut off 10 inches, completely dry, and sent me on my way after 10 minutes. She did talk me into buying a hair straightener that I've had for a couple years now and works great... but the price of it was inflated x2. I just felt overall scammed.... but the facilities are beautiful and if you are one of "those" girls then you might enjoy it more than me, because it seems like they are the ones who got all the doting and customer service that I paid an arm and a leg for.

• Pros: Parking, Ambience, Beverages (if they offer you one)
• Cons: Felt rushed, not respected

01/15/09

great service, good prices

by detinu2000

I received a gift card for my birthday, so I set-up a spa day. I was ushered in right on time and the spa walked me through my schedule. The massage was wonderful! Excellent pressure! They played soft but not cheesy music and she didn't try to talk too much! I then had my lunch (which they cater from Panera - delicious!). My facialist was amazing! My skin looked great afterwards and she really listened to my likes and dislikes regarding the waxing I wanted done! I had signed-up for an extra element (which costs more) and she actually talked me out of it since my skin didn't need it!! My mani/pedi were also wonderful! I wasn't rushed at all and never once felt talked down to or anything less than a respected client.

A few months later I got a horrible haircut at another salon. It was awful! My sister came to visit around the same time and wanted to donate her hair. We both went to the Penzone Salon. My sister's cut was amazing and 1/2 off since she donated her cut hair to wigs for kids. My stylist was also amazing. She managed to fix my hair so it looked like I meant to have a 2 inch layer on the top of me head!! She listened to my concerns (I have a full face and did not want it to appear fuller with the layers the other place cut) and was very sympathetic to my problem!!

I had nothing but wonderful experiences both times I visited. I'm in the process right now of planning another full day there with 2 of my sisters!!

• Pros: Staff, Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: Expensive, but worth it for a treat!

09/23/08

Over Rated and Under delivered

by staylor55

I used to be a regular customer at Charles penzone about 5 years ago, and then I got sick of being treated like I wasn't "worthy" of being a client. I gave this salon another chance about a week ago. I originally wanted my hair blond, and the stylist told me she could not bleach my hair. I told the stylist I understood, and let her talk me into auburn brown. She had me sign a waiver stating I knew she could not bleach my hair. However, it turned out to be gothic black.

After I called the salon and complained they agreed to redo my hair. Then, an hour before my redo appointment they called me and told me they couldn't do it because I signed a waiver. The waiver was stating that I understood they couldn't bleach my hair, not they could just do whatever they wanted and then treat me like an idiot! Save your money, this place isn't worth it!!

• Pros: Nice Atmosphere
• Cons: Attitude & service

09/17/08

Great Person!

by Zander2009

I recently had a pedicure by a young lady named Salma at the New Albany location and she was great! She is very good at what she does and a sweet girl. My mother spoke very highly of her so I thought I'd see for myself. She was right! Salma was very thorough and made me feel very comfortable.

12/29/07

Nice place, horrible service, everyone so arrogant!!

by caligirl2008

Don?t be fooled by the salon?s looks. I've been to penzone Polaris location couple times and everyone seem to have some kind of an attitude problem. Even their receptionists are so arrogant. One time I went in to get a manicure, the manicure girl didn?t even introduce herself. She was rushing and did a horrible job. My nails weren?t even dry yet they asked me to go pay. so when I went to pay, the receptionist asked if I want any cash back for gratuity (on top of high prices they also always ASK for tips!!) when I said NO because I was not happy with my nails the receptionist threw my credit card back at me! What the heck!? Its like you are EXPECTED to tip no matter what! I was so irritated. Oh yeah as for the hair service, I was not impressed at all. I didn?t want to judge by 1 or 2 stylists and that?s why I tried few other different people. Well, I found out they all do the same average job no matter what level and they don?t know how to be friendly. I noticed they try too hard to be nice/friendly and it is obvious they are being fake! I think they memorize certain questions to ask every new customer or something because they all asked me same questions! Haha. Bottom line, don?t even bother trying this place, they don?t appreciate your business.

• Pros: They bring you drinks, good massage services
• Cons: service, everything else terrible

08/01/07

Not up to the hype, except in price.

by jjjones03

I began going to Charles Penzone salons for years. They are nice salons but over the course of time, it has become VERY expensive and getting more so every year or so. They charge varying prices based on the "level" of the stylist. when, in fact, they all do the same thing. I mean they all can cut, style, weave, gloss, color, perm, straighten, etc., so why the variance in price? The job responsibilities are the same. There is no logical reason for the heighttened prices. People who do the same jobs should get the same pay.

The prices just went up roughly 10% again recently and, I don't know about you, but I haven't gotten a 10% salary increase in quite some time. They had a similar increase about 1.5 years ago as I recall. In addition, they are arrogant enough to tell you that if you are more than 10 minutes late, you may have lost your appointment - -regardless of whether or not you are a long standing customer without a history of this behavior. In short, I would tell you that there are PLENTY of salons in town that would love to have my (and your) business. I see little need to go to one that thinks more highly of itself than it does of me.

• Pros: big enough that you can ususally get an appointment
• Cons: expensive and full of itself

01/25/07

Great Facial, Average Haircut

by bradyjk

I am new to the Columbus area and thought I would try Charles Penzone to find a new stylist. I am a regular at a nice high end salon back home. So, being that Charles Penzone is a large salon and a good reputation I thought it would be a good place to start. My facial with Jesse was awesome very personable and friendly. She gave me great recommendations didn't rush was a very relaxing, pleasurable experience. However, once I got to my haircut that was a different experience. The stylist rushed through washing my hair, I felt like there was still soap in it. I'm use to being more relaxed given a scalp massage, attention to my comfort level, etc. Not this stylist, when I told her my neck was hurting while resting on the wash basin she stated "oh, we'll be done in a minute". She wasn't very personable at all and I felt like I was being pushed out like being in a production line. I would expect that treatment at a lower market salon not here. To attract high end customers who are willing to pay your prices you should be delivering a better customer experience in all offerings of your salon. I was really satisfied and relaxed after my facial and expecting the haircut experience to be even better considering I'm trying to find a good stylist to go to on a consistent basis. I won't be back at least for haircuts and am really afraid to try anything else.

• Pros: Atmosphere, Great facial experience
• Cons: Haircut,stylists not good experience

07/21/06

Very Dissappointed!

by thetuggs

I went in for a cut and highlight. The girl tried to look like she knew what she was doing, but was inexperienced. The cut was terrible and the highlight OK. She left me to style it myself. Didn't even ask me if I wanted it done and although I told her I had a coupon, she never asked for it and I was overcharged. Not my reccomendation!

07/11/06

manicure sucked!

by shrumit

As i was new to the area, i decided to try top class charles penzone salon for my manicure. I should say it was bad..they did not have polish dryers!!! and i wan't told this after my manicure was done and i was ready to go...so with those hands i had to dig in my purse for credit card, which of course messed up my nail polish. they got me fixed (this time i had my keys out!). after that i was driving home, and my polish got messed up again and again after i got home. i wasn't worth it

06/27/06

Charles Penzone via Polaris

by sn0wflk

I was a hardcore patron of a fellow high end salon and decided to try Charles Penzone. The stylist which I had was delightful and fun!!! I had advised of my concerns with my hair and preference, I at one point after discussion said do what you wish. In the end I came out with a faboulse haircut and felt great! I felt awesome! I loved it the cut the color the look I loved it!!! I will now be a Charles penzone customer from here on out with no doubt per the stylist I had and the experience I had!!!