SINGAPORE: A disgruntled customer recently brought to light his troubling experience with Eden by Ethan Scalp Science Salon, located on Bukit Pasoh, after purchasing a hefty six-session package aimed at tackling hair loss for $2,600.

The situation escalated when the salon unexpectedly closed for renovations after his fourth session, leaving him frustrated and skeptical.

In a post on the popular Facebook group COMPLAINT SINGAPORE, Vinz Ong detailed his experience, which began on a positive note. Initially, Mr. Ong was drawn to the salon due to a friend's glowing recommendation on Instagram, despite being somewhat wary of the cost. He described the first four sessions as satisfactory, with commendable service and an aesthetically pleasing environment.

However, his experience took a turn when he attempted to book his next session for October 17, only to be informed through a text that the salon would be closed for renovations.

Expecting updates, he found himself in the dark for two weeks, prompting him to reach out to the salon for answers. To his surprise, he was told that renovations were still ongoing.

The situation became more alarming on November 11 when he received a phone call from Ethan, the salon owner.

Ethan claimed he had lost his phone and wallet and sought assistance in transferring funds. Mr. Ong raised an eyebrow, questioning why a business owner would ask a client for money rather than turning to family or employees. Alarmingly, he discovered that friends who recommended the salon had received similar requests.

After growing increasingly concerned, Mr. Ong demanded an update by November 26, insisting on a refund if the salon could not reopen soon.

The owner’s claims that they had been scammed by renovation contractors only deepened Ong’s suspicions, leading him to question the legitimacy of the salon's situation.

On December 10, Mr. Ong visited the salon's premises only to find no visible signs of ongoing renovations, further intensifying his frustration.

He issued a firm ultimatum: a refund by December 15.

As he crafted a post to share his grievances, Mr. Ong revealed he had still not received a response from the salon.

Yet, after the post circulated, he received a message from Ethan requesting until the end of the month to process the refund.

Citing that his funds had been lost to the renovation scam, Mr. Ong indicated he would "give him the benefit of the doubt" and wait until the end of December for the refund.

This news has sparked widespread discussions among social media users, with many questioning the validity of claims from service providers regarding unforeseen circumstances.

The saga raises a critical question: How are consumers to protect themselves against potential scams disguised as honest business practices?

This story continues to develop, and The Independent Singapore has reached out to both Mr. Ong and the salon for further commentary. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders in the beauty industry will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the implications of this incident.