Watch: Diamond Spa Dorval still closed
MONTREAL — Diamond Spa in Dorval has been closed for business for close to a month, and despite claims of the contrary from the owner, sources have told Global News that the spa will not reopen at its current location and the owner is now facing eviction.
But there’s still hope for customers looking for compensation.
“I spent a bundle of money.”
“And I wasn’t able to get the services I paid for,” said former customer Corinne Waheed, who purchased more than $600 in spa treatments.
Last month, customers started to suspect the spa wouldn’t reopen despite claims from the owner that it was temporarily closed for renovations.
The spa’s owner, Sanaz Noroozi, had said customers with pre-paid vouchers could redeem them at the Diamond Spa in Greenfield Park, but according to online customer comments, it seems few people are able to get through.
A spokesperson for Groupon has confirmed that the company has stopped selling vouchers for Diamond Spa and insists customers who can’t get the services they paid for will be refunded.
The best bet for consumers according to Quebec’s consumer protection agency, Option Consommateurs, is to take legal action.
“If they can’t get a refund from the spa directly, the next step is probably to send a demand letter and then proceed to the small claims court,” said Élise Thériault, a lawyer for Option Consommateurs.
And teaming up with other customers in small claims court could pay off.
“If you know some other people that are in the same situation, you can join together,” said Thériault.
“This way you’re going to save on court fees and also all the cases can be heard at the same time.”
Close to 60 customers have already filed complaints with the consumer protection agency, including 39 from Dorval and 19 from the Greenfield Park location. Unhappy customers on the south shore have even created a Facebook page.
What’s more, 63 former employees from Diamond Spa have filed official complaints with the Commission des normes du travail. In most cases they’re claiming unpaid wages.
Sanaz Noroozi has denied the allegations of wrongdoing from the start, claiming she couldn’t keep up with the demand for her spa’s services. Despite promising to tell her side of the story last Tuesday, Noroozi has yet to contact Global News.
Consumer advocates said there’s one way to avoid falling for deals that seem to good to be true.
“Check reviews and ratings on the internet.”
“In the example of Diamond Spa, it’s easy easy to find that people have a hard time getting their service,” said Thériault.
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