My negative experience with BottomSlim NY

• Myexperiencewithbs

  17 Jun 13, 22:59

  This is my negative experience with BottomSlim and I would advise people to never step into this shop with unscrupulous salespeople. My nightmare started sometime in early June. I was reading blogs online when I came across a blogger’s review for a free trial at BottomSlim. Her blog entry ended with a free trial of 5 sessions for all her readers as long as we submit our name and particulars in the given box. I did not suspect anything wrong with this shop at first. Granted, that most of these slimming centres were all talk and no results – BottomSlim was the winner of CozyCot Awards 2010 and also the sponsor of Star Awards 2013. The centre of choice I picked for my free trial was at Ngee Ann City, and they called me on 8th June, Saturday. The first thing they told me was that they did not have any more available slots for the week and I should consider other branches since they have this ‘free gift’ if I can make it this week. I chose NEX at Serangoon and my first trial was on 10th June, Monday at 4.30pm. I reached BottomSlim at NEX on time and was asked to do a survey, never did I expect they will use the survey against you. Thankfully, I did not give out all my details. I was then ushered into a small room when I know all the hard selling will start. The consultant who is being assigned to me is Wendy. She asked me what’s my motive in signing up for today’s trial and I told her honestly I’m just here to try out. I told her I eat quite healthily, watch my diet and I exercise 3 times a week. All she could give me was sarcasm, and that my thigh muscles will probably become heavier and that all that exercise is of no use as compared to their technology and ‘many machines’ – as quoted. Wendy pushed me into believing that I was beyond help in terms of my figure. Yes, I was not perfect but I didn’t think that I was desperately in need of help though I wanted to lose weight. She spent close to 1 hour deceiving me into signing the package. The 5 trial sessions were non-existent and considered ‘not good’ by their standards. I was wondering if it is not good, why they offered us in the first place. Finally, I was offered 10 sessions at $688, but please note that they did not mention GST was not included. I told Wendy that I don’t want to pay such a big amount at a go and she say they have instalment plans for various credit cards. Do note that she did not tell me what the cards that BottomSlim offer for instalment, the months offered and also payment per month. I had to calculate everything on my own while she just stared at me with an impatient look. I asked if they have Citibank 12-month instalment plan which amounts to about $60+ a month which was still affordable to me. And since I was going to work hard to losing weight, I thought I would sign up with them. I asked Wendy if they do instalment plan on Citibank Rewards Mastercard, and she said she had to check so she needed my card. I was in the room and she went outside to the main counter. Without further ado, Wendy came back with a credit card slip with the amount of $736.16 (with GST) at 17:09 and no sign of any instalment plan. I do not think her English is that bad from differentiating to check if the customer’s card is valid for instalment plan or plainly just signing up the package. She just swiped my card without me confirming the purchase. I am working in the retail industry for close to 6 years. I know how instalment plans work and look like on credit card slips. All Wendy said was, “You have to call the bank on your own after 3 days to sign up for the instalment plan�. My first reaction was: What? After signing up for a package for them I still have to call the bank on my own? I have sign up for instalment plans before and even if the merchant’s credit card machine is not updated, the merchant will call the bank for me. I thought something was fishy but being cornered into the small room, I had no choice but to sign my credit card bill and call the bank after I am done with their treatment. I was taken into one of their rooms and after taking my weight and measurements (which they can’t show me), my treatment started with Wendy dragging the machine into the room. I wanted to close my eyes and finally enjoy my treatment and she mentioned that her manager is very kind to offer me 3 sessions for $300 (once again, no GST) for shaping of my legs and the usual price is $480 per session. And if I said yes, she will proceed to use 1 session of this later. I really wanted to say no, but she did not take my answer for a No. I was being cornered, I wanted to leave but my clothes and my belongings were stashed in their wardrobe. I asked Wendy if I can cancel the transaction just now and add this on to the instalment statement. She said no and then said, “You mean $300 you also cannot come up with it now? Need instalment plan?� I gave her my ATM card and without further ado again, she brought her wireless NETS machine into my treatment room. I was then again $321 poorer. My treatment promised of 10 sessions but nothing was clear. In the end, I ended up being attached to their machine with pads for 20 minutes, the pads just vibrate and this was supposed to help me detox. I could have gotten a simple machine for the same use at 10 times less the price. I was then ask to lie on my back and Wendy applied some cooling gel on the back of my thighs and use a red light machine to ‘shine’ on my thighs. If you remembered from my post earlier, Wendy mentioned that she will use the ‘3 for $300’ session on me but there was no such thing. She hurried me off after 40 minutes of treatment and I do not know why she hurried me to sign the latter when she did not even help me with it. I asked her about it and she said she will use it the next time. I spent close to 2.5 hours in the shop and out of which, 40 minutes was used for treatment. My first call to Citibank was at 6.50pm immediately after I left the shop. It was then I realized that I had to pay an extra 5% interest for instalment plan. Again, this was not known to me. I called Citibank again at 7.04pm again, this time I asked them if I could cancel my transaction as I really did not wish to continue any of this. Sad to say, Citibank said that only the Merchant can do the refund and they advised me to go back to the shop. I went back to the shop at approximately 7.20pm telling them about the 5% fee that was not known to me. All of them gave me weird looks and one of the staff even told me this, “If you are so concerned about the 5%, why not you just pay the amount in full?� The thing is this – Why would I asked for instalment plan if I can pay in full? I do not know if the salespeople were so used to acting blur, they just gave me a blank stare and told me no refunds were allowed. I called Citibank again at 8:10pm asking them for help but they advised me to go CASE when they heard about my story. On 11th June at approximately 5pm, my fiancé called BottomSlim to speak to them about my case. Around 5.30pm, the manager of BottomSlim NEX called me. I related the whole story to her but it was of no use. The manager’s remarks were condescending and she thought that I was so hard up of the 5% interest which amounts to about $40+. I told her it was not the amount I was angry about, it is the customer service given and the services that were promised. Besides, Wendy swiped my card without telling me and initially I gave her my card for her to check if my Citibank card was allowed for the Instalment plan. The manager did not apologize to me and react strongly when I wanted a refund. She said that no refunds were allowed and that I had signed the credit card slip. She also put the blame on me and mentioned something like - “no one put a gun into your head and ask you to sign�. And despite swiping my credit card without my permission, the manager said, “Since you already want to lose weight and you already came to our store, why not you just forget about this and continue the treatments?� I cannot believe such customer service and all she can offer was 2 more extra sessions. To me, it does not matter about the session, and in fact I would rather not go there anymore. I feel duped and cheated into signing a slip which I don’t want to and was not as promised. 11th June 11pm - I have filed an online police report against them. 12th June –With the help of my friend, we found one the address of one of the main branches of BottomSlim, which is at Orchard Central. Wrote a complain letter and sent it to them. 17th June – I still have not received any reply from BottomSlim. If there's anybody who can help me and knows what to do, I need your advice! To everyone out there who is interested in going for their trials and whatsoever, please DON'T. I was stupid enough to not check reviews online before going.
• FireIce

  17 Jun 13, 23:04

  i just want to say that one word.

• Wenyi

  17 Jun 13, 23:53

  Look your case they are extorting your money. I go free trial before they ask me pay for interest first i say no. I walk away myself. I never give out my visa card I suspect at first. U should not take out your visa card give to her check out for u. u should follow her outside watch her outside. Did u go down HQ bottom slim NY see boss there? Very sorry to heard. Wait and see they did reply. They are sucker people money. 

• FireIce

  17 Jun 13, 23:53

  maybe it is the boss that teach the staff these things.

• Myexperiencewithbs

  18 Jun 13, 01:02

  Hi Wenyi, do you know where is BottomSlim HQ? I have checked their website but they don't give any clues as to where their HQ is. I have sent a complaint letter to their main branch at Orchard Central and awaiting their reply.
• JerryJanice

  18 Jun 13, 03:36

  Lucky for me that true slim also call me twice today to go for their 6 free trials but I reject them say I got no time Like my hubby always tell me - no free lunch in this world de
• jojobeach

  18 Jun 13, 05:01

  You are gullible, meek , undecisive and simply waiting to be taken advantage of.

  You let people talked you into believing you needed help from their machines ?

  You signed an "agreement" when you are not agreeable ?

  You want something for nothing? 

   

  Learn your lesson and stop being such a wimp. $800 is nothing compared to the few thousands many idiots have lost because they don't know how to protect themselves.

  Fooled you once, shame on them... fool you twice shame on you.

  How many $800 are you going to be cheated out of... ? Your choice.

  Since you have paid.. let it go.. just enjoy the service and keep lying to yourself those "miracle" machines are working.  oblivious is bliss.

  6 years of retail and yet you did not demand your refund on the spot when she swiped your card without your consent ?

  Don't blame others for your stupidity.. now it's time to wise up.

• mr music

  18 Jun 13, 11:51

  You should write to Straits Times Forum to let the whole of Singapore know about this incident and also get an interview with the Sin Ming and Wan Bao so they can close shop if they dont respond to you with an satisfactory reply.
• BotaHead

  18 Jun 13, 13:15

  hm...

  girl talk

• Wenyi

  18 Jun 13, 14:45

  where is Bottom Slim NY HQ I don't know.  U can try their bottom slim facebook. I agree with Mr.Music comment. Would u like give a try post to straits times. My friend too fall in their trick she too lost her money then she suicide next day lucky her dog bark at her mother save her life. Next time don't fall in trap again. Money can earn back. No free lunch in this world.  Every business is very greedy suck up people work hard money. I too agree with FireIce must their boss teach them. What u plan to do now? Find a lawyer? 

• FireIce

  18 Jun 13, 22:16

  dunno y go make police report

  shd be go CASE

   

   

   

   

   

  (and maybe stomp)

• Honeybunz

  18 Jun 13, 22:36

   there is actually a  cooling period for all consumers who sign up for spa/beauty packages.  which means, you can still change your mind and ask for refund.  

  This was published in the papers a couple of years back.  If you have gone to case, they would have advised you on that.  

  Read this: What is a CaseTrust Spa and Wellness?

  Even though today is already more than 5 days past the actual purchase date, but I believe you still have a case since you have already requested for a refund on 11 June, one day after the purchase was made.  Since you have made a police report, I believe you have the statement taken down in writing.  Bring that along to file a complaint with case.  

   

  btw, I saw your blog and your post on their facebook.  Well done.  hehehe

• Llg2178

  19 Jun 13, 01:26

  Perhaps you should hold a press release to reach out to more likely victims. The management of the company concerned will definitely contact you to resolve the matter. 

   

   

• jojobeach

  19 Jun 13, 03:37

  "A fool and his money is soon parted."

  Really, how many times must the news media publish warnings about these kind of hard selling and 'scamming/con" events .. telling people to STAY AWAY or WALK AWAY ?

  Yet.. again and again.. there are idiots flocking to these kind of places hoping to get some FREE goodies only to hand over their money  unwillingly and sign a legal binding contract they couldn't get out of.. because for crying out loud.. they were "pressured" into doing so.

  Then these "victims" go online go to news papers to cry, whine and complain how they got robbed and cheated... etc etc... play the poor victims. It's getting really stale.

  If it seems too good to be true.. it's not real.

  These setups are running a BUSINESS.. not a charity.

   

   

   

• Honeybunz

  19 Jun 13, 10:44

  Originally posted by jojobeach:

  "A fool and his money is soon parted."

  Really, how many times must the news media publish warnings about these kind of hard selling and 'scamming/con" events .. telling people to STAY AWAY or WALK AWAY ?

  Yet.. again and again.. there are idiots flocking to these kind of places hoping to get some FREE goodies only to hand over their money  unwillingly and sign a legal binding contract they couldn't get out of.. because for crying out loud.. they were "pressured" into doing so.

  Then these "victims" go online go to news papers to cry, whine and complain how they got robbed and cheated... etc etc... play the poor victims. It's getting really stale.

  If it seems too good to be true.. it's not real.

  These setups are running a BUSINESS.. not a charity.

   

   

   

  you're not helping.  

• Llg2178

  19 Jun 13, 12:45

  Such companies are unlikely to last as they are unable to retain customers.

  So how will such companies survive? 

  Actually it is not difficult. Just re

  gister another company and start advertising again. 

  Customers who think that they need to slim down will walk in to try their luck.

   

  If such companies can really help their customers to slim down, most customers will not mind parting with their money to feel more confident.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• FireIce

  19 Jun 13, 12:58

  they no need retain cust

  they just con more new cust

  and u wun believe how many ppl would succumb

• FireIce

  19 Jun 13, 12:59

  if they close down or bankrupt, the losing end is the cust who signed 3k packages 

• jojobeach

  19 Jun 13, 13:06

  Originally posted by Honeybunz:

  you're not helping.  

  Helping ? There's no cure for stupidity.

  She thinks she is getting revenge ? What a fool.. 

  If that shop has a good lawyer.. they will likely sue TS for libel and claim damages/ loss of income.

  Never sign your name on a piece of paper unless you know exactly what you are getting yoruself into.

   

   

   

   

• Llg2178

  19 Jun 13, 13:13

  But how many commoners are smart enough to think rationally when they are in such situation?

• jojobeach

  19 Jun 13, 13:25

  Originally posted by Llg2178:

  But how many commoners are smart enough to think rationally when they are in such situation?

  That's why lawyers are so rich.

• Devoted gal8888

  3 Jul 13, 00:43

  Oh tat time my fren aso like u gong gong dai dai sign package 300plus wit London weight...n she wrote many letter to complain n finally they say wil refund her..end up i go with her cos she scare they dun let her step out...they say they dono got refund...we show the letter and make noise there...make a scene and then more n more consultant came out n stand at the counter like make an ugly face to us very buay song...but we still making alot noise ask them pay money when they tell my fren to come bk next time..then walk in customers see us aso keep looking...we dun care...cos letter tell her ho to collect cheque mah..end up say mus pay gst n dono admin charges...kns 1 night oni aso mus pay these...funny lor then i scold them say dun wan pay them...then my fren v qin cai say okok n willing to collect next time...so we then leave...think my fren really gt back her money after deduct those charges..
• Chunming1986

  3 Jul 13, 01:28

  .

• TehJarVu

  3 Jul 13, 01:30

  tee hee hee

• FireIce

  3 Jul 13, 12:21

  change name to bottomless hole