Dear Sir

I would like to register a complaint against Affinity International, #123, 1st Floor, The Forum Mall, Koramangala, Bangalore - 26

I visited the above salon yesterday, July 13, 2009 at around 14.15 hrs in the afternoon. This was my first visit. I told the receptionist that I needed to colour my hair. I was led inside and like any other beauty parlour was shown the booklet with the hair colour that I could choose from. After some discussions and inputs from the stylist, I agreed for a colour. I was then applied this colour by the stylist and then left the hair to take the colour in for about 30 minutes as it is normally required. After which, I was called for a hair wash. At that point in time, I was told by the stylist that he will do a hair spa for me. I was not too keen as I did not have too much time in hand. However, I agreed but after asking him what is it meant for, so on and so forth. He told me things like that it would soften my hair, leave it like that 2-3 months, etc. The hair spa was done for about 10-12 minutes. Then I was again taken for a wash and my hair was then dried mildly.

Subsequently, when I went to the billing counter, I was told that the amount is Rs. 5514/- for what was done to my hair. I was shocked to hear this. I paid the amount by credit card and returned feeling very cheated and conned into this.

The break up for Rs. 5514/- is as follows:
1. Colouring: Rs. 3500 + Rs. 360(S.Tax) = Rs. 3860
2. Hair Spa: Rs. 1500 + Rs. 154(S.Tax) = Rs. 1654

This was not the first time that I had got either colouring/hair spa done. I returned and called all the leading hair saloons in Bangalore and the following are their rates

1. Bounce Salon: Coloring + Hair Spa: Rs. 1200 + Rs. 950
2. Limelite Salon: Coloring + Hair Spa: Rs. 1500 + Rs. 650
3. Le Meridien Beauty Salon: Coloring + Hair Spa: Rs. 1500 + Rs. 1000
4. VLCC: Coloring + Hair Spa: Rs. 1500 + Rs. 800

All the above saloons use the same products as Affinity and the same product that I use normally, was used yesterday by Affinity.

I spoke to the Manager, Mr. Arif Sheikh on my return and told him that I have virtually been robbed. Of course, he claimed a whole lot of things including how the other beauty parlours as listed above are more expensive and because he gives me an imported chair to sit on, I paid twice more. He had the least regret to address what I was saying or any customer service at all. I even asked him as to why I was not informed about the rates and how this salon alone in Bangalore can be 2-3 times more expensive more than even the 5 star/7 star hotels. He also blamed his stylist instead of admitting that he was robbing his customers. He tried to bully me by taking big names like Prestige Group etc.He then offered me to come and do another hair spa free of cost(which I am not interest in, I need my money back)as he claimed that his service is the best. I have got these things done in salons in India and abroad and Affinity was not certainly better than many salons that I have liked in Mumbai/Delhi/Singapore/Dubai. He asked me how much will I expect to be paid back and I said that I will not pay more than Rs. 2000/- for this, hence I need a refund of Rs. 3,500/-. He did not respond politely at all to this. He was supposed to call me today and I have received no response.

I would like to file a complaint in the Consumer Court for cheating and over charging for hair treatment. The payment has been made on my HSBC VISA credit card for Rs. 5514/-.

Please let me know the procedure and the further steps to be taken.

Regards
Deepa Murthy
34, RBI Colony
Anand Nagar,
Bangalore - 560 024
Ph: 98451 32972