American Laser Centers

I have had a day to really reflect about my overall experience at American Laser and I feel I must share with you my perceptions and concerns. I arrived about 2 minutes late for my appointment, which was certainly my fault. I did, however, have to remain in the waiting area for several minutes before being brought in to consult, once again, with you and to sign some additional paperwork.

After reading the two page document given to me, I expressed, quite clearly, that I wanted to discuss treatment after-care and the product line, Vivite, with the technician. I then signed the document and was taken to the treatment room.

The technician seemed quite nice; however, I was rather put off by the eye protecting goggles that were definitely stained by foundation from previous usage, just laying on the table. They should have been disinfected and sterile.

I informed the technician that I had come from work and still had my make-up on. She said that she could take care of that, but then said that I should wash my own face! She then recanted and said that she would do that. Having had this procedure done in another professional clinic, that was very unprofessional. I was not required to remove my garment, nor was I given a gown. Well into the procedure, she did cover my shirt collar, which I had tucked under myself, with a paper drape.

I cannot also be at all sure that prior to the technician donning plastic gloves that she washed her hands as I did not hear the water running at any time. That was certainly not a reassuring thought.

Also, I heard from you and from the technician that a test would be done. Unless I am totally mistaken, and it was determined that a test was not needed, one was not administered, nor was I given any explanation. At no time was I asked if the laser was comfortable nor was I asked if the intensity could be increased. Again, having had this procedure done in another professional clinic, these were questions that I was expecting to hear and respond to.

Further, about half way through the procedure, someone entered the room (I had the goggles in place and could not see who the person was) and tell the technician that she was running 30 minutes late. She responded that she was only 6 minutes into the procedure. That was completely disconcerting and unprofessional. I felt that the technician was definitely being told to rush.

At the end of the procedure I was not told, at all, what to expect from the laser, i.e., any lifting of the brown pigments, or shown any progress in a mirror. I inquired regarding my own specific products and all I was told was that I could wear all my foundation without problem. I was not shown any of the Vivite products, nor given any of the aftercare information that I had inquired about. I find this very lacking in patient care and concern. There were no samples of Vivite offered as follow-up or incentive, either.

With all of these concerns and lack of professionalism, I will not be returning for additional treatments. While I greatly appreciate the negotiations we had in agreeing to a mutually satisfying price point, I feel that I was not given the professional care I expected, and had most certainly received, at another professional clinic. I am more than glad that I did not purchase the highly urged and suggested package.

I will certainly not be recommending American Laser to any of my many friends or family for treatment. I would much rather drive to Federal Way and know that the ultra professional treatment and regard shown me at that clinic will be repeated and I will remain their valued client.

About a year ago, I went to have skin tightening for the arms and belly. I was talked into the front and back of legs. A skin tightening for the face, pictures that I was showed were amazing. A short time later, the tech came in and offered me a deal I couldn't pass by with the Ematrix. They'd give me so many front and back Vela treatments. I ended up with around $7200.00 of treatments they talked me into. After doing most, I really don't see much improvement. The arms, none. Treatments not all logged. I'd say 12. Legs, I'd say maybe 50% around 18. Belly maybe 40%, around 18. Ematrix, 5 treatments (it was to be 4 but the nurse who did one didn't hardly do the treatment). There were many complaints by others, so they were adding another because of that nurse.

The amounts I said from the above, sometimes the equipment wasn't working good. Some areas it wouldn't heat up on the Vela. Other times, they'd run out of time and not be able to do all areas. The big issue is I travel close to 2 1/2 hours one way for these treatments. I work full-time and have to get my hours in too. I was led to believe by the pictures that with all these treatments, I'd get better results. They know I like to because of the distance traveled to do the face treatments and Vela. They would mess up on the schedule and I'd have to move my times or not get the full treatment. I'm not happy with this as I said, traveling 2 1/2 hours one way. There were many times I'd try to get with them on getting services lined up.

I'd be in the office early fall and tell them I had a day off in December, to let me know if the nurse was in their office that day. If not, I'd run to another clinic in the Dallas area then come to them for the Vela and call them again several weeks before that date. I tried many times but never got a call back setting things up. Just before my appointment, I talked to the new manager and she had the nurse come that day to do appointment because of all the runaround I was given. As I said, I was willing to go to another location. No one in all those weeks bothered to follow through. Now last Friday, Jan. 13th, I was called for a confirmation for Monday appointment. Some time later that day, Dee called and wanted me to change my appointment because of another mess up in scheduling.

I told her I lined this appointment up well over a month ago. I have Monday as a day off. With traveling 2 1/2 hours one way, I would not be able to. The local person that they had put in there would have to change her time. So not to long after that, she had Rachel call me asking if I'd come in at 4:30PM. I told her I took a day off to come during the day. I lined my time up well over a month ago. With the time it took to do all and them never starting on time, I wouldn't get out of there say after 7:00PM, maybe 7:30PM. Then the long drive home at night. Getting home late then having to get up early to work, the local person would have to change their time. I felt they made the mistake, I was the first one to schedule and with again, my travel time, they shouldn't have even asked me to do this. They said they'd call me back. As of now, I never got the call.

I'm traveling Monday to Dallas. I hope they have my procedures at the time I had scheduled. If I'm made to wait, I will be very upset with them. I already am very upset with the hassles in the past year. I have after Monday three skin tightening. I'd rather have them look up my price and refund me. To tell the truth of what I paid, $7200.00 has been a total ripoff! They need to do a partial refund because of what they showed in the pictures are far from the results. FYI: When I went in, I took a size 10. Height 5' 5 1/2'' tall. I still am that in all areas. I play low level tennis around 2 to 3 times a week. In the summer, I was playing around 4 times a week. It's not because I'm not physically active or because I am a real big person.

I spent $2000 on removal package. I went in for initial six sessions at 12-14 weeks apart and also used every day of my "two-year guarantee" and no results. I had numerous problems along the way with showing up and my appointment not being in the books to tech who complained about being overworked. They were always trying to sell me another package and I would continue to say, "Well, don't you think I should see results from this before I spend any more money?" I complained to the manager with no solution. They acted as though they were doing me a favor and then I find out the office is closing locally and all customers are being told to make appointments at a location that is over 90miles away! This was the biggest waste of money ever spent. Every time I shave, which is most every day, I am reminded of how I blew my hard earned money on this service with no results. Has anyone gotten them to refund or offer any solutions?

They have unethical treatment with no results. They don't want to be responsible for the skin pagination the laser caused. They tell you after you sign the contract that they can't guarantee you results, and they can't guarantee you on time appointments. And they don't even want to partially refund me. They ignored all my registered mail sent to their headquarters. And they never responded to the 2 claims I've made with the Better Business Bureau and the State General Attorney. People in the past have been able to get a refund through a class action lawsuit. With that, American Laser was forced to settle with the customers before a court date was even set. It was because they realized that the consumers would eventually win. I see that there are many people on this board with similar issues. We need to all contact each other in regards to a possible lawsuit. My email is **. I hope the website shows our emails.

I went in and got a package for laser hair removal, 18 sessions total and 6 per area. I was misled by the manager, Brittany, who informed me that if one of the areas did not work, they would take it off the bill. Anyhow, I was rushed in for my first treatment.

After receiving the bikini area, I immediately had swelling and separate bumps appeared. They persisted for over 6 hours, remained red many days later, and the skin was broken. I had a medical reaction to laser hair removal and they will not provide me with a refund for the rest of the services (at least so far). I cannot and will not receive any more laser care, as I am afraid there will be bodily consequences.

I call the next day and ask for a refund. I am then informed that if one treatment is provided, I am locked in. This was never discussed and as mentioned above, the manager told me that I could be refunded for one of the services. This was very misleading. At first when I asked for a refund they were very prompt with a response (no), so I have now filed a complained with the BBB and here.

Their contract is extremely vague and does not mention ways in which the contract can be breached (for example poor services on their part). It mentions nothing of the sort, just results, not medical issues. I am very frustrated and doing all that I can.

I just spent 2 years of my life going to monthly appointments for nothing. Back in June of 2008, I purchased a $800 plus package to remove hair from my chin and my upper lip. I was told that these areas were difficult but that most people would see results in a year.

I started off going to the Boulder office. This lasted about 6 months, until they closed that office and moved me to the Broomfield office. I had about 6 months of procedures done there, until they closed that office as well and moved me to the Westminster office for the last year of procedures. So, I started off driving about 30 miles to my appointment to driving about 50 miles for my appointments. They never offered me a refund or anything for all the inconvenience.

From the beginning, I consistently voiced my concerns that I was not seeing any results. I was told to be patient, so patient I was. So, here we are, July of 2011 at the appointment I had last month. I was asked about my results, of which I told her the hair was worse than before. I told her that the "peach fuzz" was not going away on my upper lip. She then informed me that the procedure doesn't remove peach fuzz. I told her I found that interesting because that was all I had on my upper lip when I started the procedures and the sales person never said it wouldn't work on that area.

My last procedure was done this morning. I again voiced my concerns that I had seen zero results and that per their instruction to shave these areas, the hair was actually worse than when I started. This girl tells me, "The laser doesn't work on brown, red, or blonde hair and your chin and upper lip are a very hormonal area. We almost never get any results in those areas." Wow! I thought to myself, so you are unable to remove hair from the areas I paid you $800 to remove it from?

Their solution? They want me to buy more procedures. They must think I am stupid. Yes, I'm going to buy more procedures that don't work. Save your money folks, buy a good tweezer because it is a scam. It does not work and you will spend a lot of time and money for absolutely nothing. Their guarantee, you ask? Ha ha ha. What a joke.

I was totally happy with this company until I referred a friend to it. I referred my friend Connie **. She made a huge purchase (over $3,000!) based on my referral. The company promised me I would get $250 for making a referral that purchased a package over $2,000. This was back in May 19, 2011. I was told I would receive my check in about 30 days. It is now August and I still have not received a check. I have called and left messages with the receptionist, and on the voicemail of San Jose, CA and Fremont, CA American laser centers repeatedly since July 13th, 2011. I have left message after message. I begged for help or an update of any kind on why I have not received payment.

I have not received 1 single return call. Then, I went online. I got the phone number to their corporate office this month (August 2011). I have called on August 22nd. Their receptionist promised that a manager will call me back within 3-5 business days. No such call has come. I called again today (August 31st). Their receptionist put me into the voicemail of a "manager" named Lori **. Yet, it is now the end of the day. I didn't get a single return call, even from their corporate office.

Since the corporate office can't keep their promise to return a phone call, who else is there to turn to? They wasted no time taking my money and returning my calls when I need to reschedule an appointment. But if you ever have a question, it is impossible to get a return call or even get hold of someone from "management". They have the worst customer service I have ever dealt with in my entire life. I hope you can get them to pay me what is due and slap their hands for not having any common courtesy or professionalism.

I began my treatment in 2008. I initially purchased a laser hair removal for my bikini area. I chose the location of the office based on the distance to my home. I received treatment there for about a year. This office began to have less and less staff and at one point, there were minimal to no supplies. Staff that were working were conducting personal phone conversations that I could hear while waiting to be treated. Treatments that typically lasted between 30-45 minutes lasted maybe 15 minutes. I was notified that this office was closing and I was moved to a second office and ultimately, a third. I had paid for my treatments in full and had no other choice but to continue under their care.

I was treated well at the new office and even purchased more treatment for other areas. I was under the impression that this treatment was a guaranteed permanent hair removal option. My paperwork reads Paid in Full - Package of 6 with 2-year guarantee. For the most part, other than dealing with the constant harassment of staff suggesting other services every time I went for treatment, I was marginally happy with this company. I referred a friend who purchased treatment. She made sure to mention that I referred her and was assured that they would take care of it, and that I would receive a check.

I followed up on my next appointment, only to find out that I must refer through an online process and that I was not eligible for the reward. I had referred my mother there and even went to the consultation with her, at this time and this was prior to my friend going, no one mentioned the reward system to me. I contacted customer service. After taking my statement, I was ultimately rewarded a check. Most recently, I have had the worse experience with this company. At first, they were very accommodating. However, they began to require my appointment to have at least 10 weeks in between treatments. They were very rigid with this.

At one time, I was going to be away and wanted a treatment at 9 weeks and was told I could not be accommodated. It has now been 13 weeks since my last treatment and I still do not have an appointment scheduled. Keeping in mind, I only have 1 year of service now with treatment to be every 10 weeks. This all seems to be very underhanded since their policy is to not treat you when you have been exposed to the sun 4 weeks prior to a treatment and in the summer, they offer no reprieve to your treatments knowing full well people will be on vacations and it is impossible to stay out of the sun in the summer months. Every additional service I purchased did not come with the extensive paperwork that I had with my initial purchase in 2008.

In the past few months, I had received the typical "courtesy" call reminding me of an appointment. In all the time that I have been a customer, I have had a "courtesy" reminder call asking me to please call if I could not make the appointment or needed to reschedule all but twice. The first time I didn't receive a call, I actually called to make sure I had the date and time right. On this occasion, I received a "courtesy" call about an appointment and called back because I needed to reschedule. The tech knowing fully well that the appointment I was rescheduling actually was no longer under my service agreement and that I needed to purchase a maintenance package did not tell me this over the phone but waited until I went to the appointment and then told me that I was no longer under service contract and needed to purchase a maintenance package. Of which I did not.

I was quoted a price and then after some "haggling" with the office manager, the tech came back and offered me another price. I asked how many of these packages I would need to completely remove the hair. She told me she would have to take a look at the area to determine this. She could not give me a straight answer but convinced me that a maintenance package of 6 more treatments should do the job. Her idea of looking at the area was a brief one, not a true discussion or view of the areas to be treated.

Now on this day August 23, 2011, I saw on my calender at 6pm that I had an appointment at 11. I convinced myself that since I did not get a reminder call, I must have the wrong appointment date and time in my calender. However, since I did not have any other date marked, I called. I was told that clients are not to count on this reminder call because it is merely a "courtesy" call. I was told that I would have to pay $75 as a missed appointment fee before another appointment would be scheduled. As calm as I could, I requested she remove this fee because I have been a customer since 2008 and NEVER missed an appointment. And my package was paid in full for this service that they were about to refuse me. She called me back to tell me she could waive the fee.

In the meantime, I had found my paperwork from 2008 stating that a $35 cancellation fee may be applied. In addition to this, the tech proceeded to tell me that my most recent purchase of another area was up to expiring at this appointment I missed on this day. I asked why this seemed so quick and that in the past, there was a one year treatment plan with a 2-year guarantee. She told me this changed in 2009. I never received any paperwork stating this. After deliberating with her, she corrected herself and stated that it was not up until November and I could decide about a maintenance package then.

I purchased an underarm package at the Fox River Grove, IL location which I exhausted without any improvement. Consecutively, I purchased a bikini area package and I'm over one year into the package with absolutely no result. During the so-called treatments, the technicians were far from thorough and in fact, skimpy and careless with the treatment. The Fox River Grove location closed and they sent me to Hoffman Estates.

I have been canceled on short notice and refused treatment for being only a few minutes late, with the only dates being offered for reschedule out 6 weeks later because they are too busy to get me in. The last visit, I had my period and was refused treatment after waiting for 15 minutes (if I had arrived 15 minutes late, I would have been refused treatment). Never before had I been asked if I had my period or told I could not receive treatment. The staff were nasty and unprofessional. When I expressed displeasure in the non-results, I was shrugged at and told I was blonde and it never works well on blondes. A year and a half later and I am told this? I wish I had read reviews about them before forking over $2000 for shoddy, unprofessional treatment. At this point, I am fully convinced that they are simply delaying my treatment and "burning" my package.

American Laser has shut down offices in Naples, FL and Bonita Springs, FL, forcing people to drive 180 miles to Tampa. This is illegal and they will not refund anyone their money. They also do not uphold their guarantees. If anyone is in these areas and has been affected, please contact me @ **. Thanks.

Ren

I was sold a facial and hair treatment package but only after getting three of the nine treatments, they are now closing the center and expect their clients to travel to Tampa or Miami.

I paid them $4000 of the $2000 for a skincare and bikini laser. I made several calls and no return calls was made. I finally talked to Fay and she was still unable to convince the regional office to send me back my money. I am not happy with their customer service and I guess I have to contact my lawyer to initiate a lawsuit.

I have spent over $8,000 with ALC. I have purchased several services, photo facials, microdermabrasion, and hair removal for extended bikini Brazilian, legs, underarms and eyebrows. I had purchased the hair removal packages first, which came out to be $5,000. I had a few treatments before buying a photo facial package.

When I went in to get my first photo facial, I was told that one area cannot be treated with two different services at one time (Note: one gets photo facials every 4 weeks with microdermabrasion in between), so I was not able to get my brows done because each time I went in, it was photo, micro, hair removal/photo.

The hair removal has been fine for my under arms. However, I have been getting hair removed since April of 2007 and still have patches on my legs and in the bikini area. I have been told that for any more treatments, I must purchase another package or pay $50 each time I wish to have a touch-up.

I contacted corporate and they took my complaint down and sent it to the manager, Sarah, at the Rochester store. She gave a call within 3 days. I told her how I felt and that I did not agree with having to fork out more money after already spending over $8,000 with this company. She went through my file and stated that they gave me 3 years free instead of two, as the contract states six treatments per package and the rest are free for up to two years. I told her that was not my problem. That was theirs, as well as that wasn't enough to justify my complaint. I stated that I paid for a brow package and was only able to receive 2 treatments before paying for photo facials and that I wanted the money that I spent from the brows to be put towards my bikini area.

She asked me how long I want the treatments to be extended out and I asked for one year. But she could only give me six months. I told her that all the hair better be removed within the upcoming 6 months. This only leaves with 3 extra treatments after October 31, 2011 if I go every 8 weeks. I plan to go every 6 weeks just so I can get as many treatments possible within 6 months.

I have been getting treatments since 2007 and still have hair. I was told that I had to tell the technician to get in between the inner and outer labia. That should be automatic. So, now I have to pull the skin back just to make sure that area gets zapped. I am quite sure these buy-one-get-one-free sales are really not buy-one-get- one. One can never find a price list for services. I am sure the price is jacked up.

I was a client and they sold me a package for photo facials, and three weeks later shut the doors of the Naples, FL office and told me that I can have my services provided an hour away in Bonita Springs, FL. I tried to stop the payment on my AMEX but it was declined because American Laser Center showed AMEX the contract that states that they are still providing my services, just not at that location. My contention is that they sold me the package KNOWING they were closing the local doors in Naples. So, I have made the journey a couple of times to try to use the multiple facials I purchased. NOW, I just received a letter that they are closing the Bonita Springs office and I can now have my treatments in Tampa Bay...a 3 hour drive! They will not refund me the balance of the unused photo facials.

I entered an advertised competition online to win laser hair removal with American Laser. I was called several weeks later to be told I had won a $300 voucher for any services they provided. I made an appointment and went in. This was mid May 2011. I was taken into an office and given a sales pitch for expensive packages. I wasn't willing to spend thousands on treatments without trying their services first so I agreed to getting Botox between my brows and for crows feet. Also, Juvederm in my lips. I was told the Juvederm wouldn't hurt much. I showed them a photo of how I would like the lips to be. They said, "No problem! You're lips are almost there anyway!". I made it clear I wanted something subtle and for the bottom lip to be bigger than the top. Well, it hurts like hell. And the top lip lost all form and was much bigger than the bottom. The Botox seemed to be performed oddly, but I assumed she knew what she was doing (I've had Botox before at another office.)

The next morning it was clear something was wrong, and when I called, I was told the injector wasn't in and would call me back. Four hours later, and a lot of stress and upset and worry on my part, I received a hostile and defensive call. I was told not to worry and that she would call back tomorrow to check on me. I never heard back. A couple of weeks later I called their corporate office and within an hour of that, the office called me back, made an appointment for me to come in and be examined. I went in and a different injector looked at me, with the now former manager present. The injector said it was clear the Botox had been botched and was useless between my brows. She also said given the reaction under my eyes I may have "nerve damage". I was told we wouldn't know for sure until the Botox wore off. I was told I would receive a full refund AND complimentary services. It has been seven weeks and although leaving messages, I have not heard from anyone.

I paid $475 for 1.5cc Radiesse. After 4 attempts and being given the run around, I never received treatment and no services rendered. Asked for refund. They stated it needed to be in writing. Sent request via certified mail. Told refund would occur in 4-6 weeks. I've never received it! I'm still being given the run around. I'm going to take legal action as well as notify all media outlets. Please contact me if you want to join a lawsuit or would like your story included in the Seattle PI and Seattle Times. Also contacting K5 News. (**)

I went in for the first time to have facial hair removed. Chelsea, the manager at the time, convinced me that I would benefit more fromphotofacials because of my acne. She mentioned that the light used in the hair removal laser is the same as the one used in the phofacial. So I would be targetting to problems at once. What I did not realized at the time, was the photofacials were more expensives than the hair removal treatments. I paid $1,800. 3 Treatments later the technician burned my face severly. I went the next day and Chelsea and the technician looked at my face and gave my icepacks and lotion. Month later my face had more scars than the ones I had from my acne.

By then, Chelsea had moved to another state and there was a new manager. I did not want to continue with the photofacials because I was terrified. The new manager suggested I should get facial peels instead. Which I ended up using the extra credit I had for that. One year later, my face looks worst than ever. Their customer service SUCKS!. The manager is horrible with customers, atlleast Chelsea pretended she cared but this new one forget it. Everytime I have to make an appointment I have to explain the samething, that I am using my photofacial credit for peels instead because they are constantly switching staff. I honestly would not recommend this place to anyone. They are quick to take your money but could careless what happens afterwards. Please look somewhere else!

I paid a $800.00 deposit on or around February 19, 2011 for services in the local salon. Within a few days (February 23, 2011), I decided not to have the services done and asked for a complete refund. According to their refund policy, I was entitled to my entire $800.00 dollar deposit, as long as I had not had any services completed.

I contacted the local salon in Berkeley, CA and was told that I needed to contact the corporate office. As of today, I have still not received my refund. I have been told that that it would take 4 to 6 weeks. Then I was told I would be issued a credit to my debit card within a week and that there was not a record of the refund being processed and that they would process it immediately. As of today, April 18, 2011, I was told the following:

"Your refund was entered 3/04/2011; it has been approved but not yet completed. We changed the refund policy to allow for a more lenient refund approval process. This policy was implemented to allow for past consumers to request a refund review in the same manner as current consumers. Due to the change, there has been an influx of refund requests, account adjustment, etc. from past and current consumers with which we estimate refunds to be completed 4-6 weeks from the opened date. We process refunds in the order that they come in." Again, another story. It appears they are making the stories up as they go along. I just want my money back.

I am submitting a complaint on American Laser Center. I paid $4,100 cash, for 7 treatments in 4 areas of their Vella treatment which I was convincingly told would reduce cellulite, tighten and rejuvenate skin on the front & back of thighs, stomach and flanks. I went to my appointments every Saturday at 10:00 for 3 hours each session. The same tech worked on me each week. After the 7 treatments, we were still not getting any results. They measure, take pictures and document before each treatment.

My tech said she doesn't understand why I have made no progress and would speak to the manager "Chelsea" and get back to me. After a week, I heard back and they said they decided to give me 3 free sessions and do not understand and admitted I had shown no results. I showed up for all three extra treatments and still no results! I made numerous calls (which I can prove from my cell phone bill). It took a week at a time of every day calls to get Chelsea to return my call. I did not ask for a full refund ; I simply asked for a partial refund of $1,500 to $2,000. After weeks of back and forth conversations with Chelsea, she said she was sorry that they could not offer any refund and could only possibly give me another treatment.

She said I signed a contract and that the company and I entered into my treatments in quote "good faith" that the treatments would work on me. Therefore they will not honor any kind of refund!! I could have in "good faith" had them do the treatments before I paid but companies do not run on good faith. They run on money. I paid $4,100.00 for something that did not work.

The last conversation I had with her was in regard to the last statement above and I told her that is not satisfactory and why would I go for more treatments if it doesn't work at all! She said she would have her regional manager call me. I told her I expected a call back within 24 hours and it has now been over 3 weeks! Every time you call the office, you get a voice machine and have to leave a message or if someone does answer, the manager is always in a consultation and even if I call daily and leave messages, it takes weeks to get a call back!

Yet, when I went for my first consultation and showed interest, I was getting continuous calls to come in and get it done! I have been in sales and marketing and customer service for 14 years and am amazed at the indecency of this company and their unwillingness to make good on a service that did not work at all(!) and they have records and documentation to prove it in addition to the fact that my technician and even the manager has repeatedly acknowledged the fact that their treatment did not work on me! I have done research and seen many shady complaints on this company online and I am extremely upset!

Again, I simply asked for a partial refund because I know they tried and took time and cost to do the treatments on me even though that is like still giving them $2,100 for doing nothing. I truly had no results and paid over $4,000 cash. I am a single mother of three kids and worked very hard to save up money to try and do something to make myself feel better and now along with no results, I cannot get anyone from the company to acknowledge my issue or return a call. I simply get "well, we are sorry but we entered into it with good faith and tried"! Please let me know where to go from here or what to do!

In January 2010, I called American Laser Center and I spoke to a woman that seem very kind but all she wanted was to get me in debt and in trouble. She even came to my home to discuss some paperwork, payments, packages and even "quoted" prices." My mother purchased 1 package for me for $1200 for 7 treatments.

I started treatments that next week and my mom even paid off the whole package for me in a month. After a few treatments, I've seen no changes in my hair growth and she tells me to purchase another $1200 package to cover what I thought we already agreed upon.

I got really angry at her and she says she will help me out and don't worry. Mind you, my mother only paid one package for me and this girl threw another $800 to my mother's card. I told her I was going to pay them on my own but that was after all this and she tells me the charge can't be reversed.

In the meantime, I'm going for treatments and it's been 10 treatments... still no changes on my face. Then they moved on me without informing me knowing. So now, I have to travel out further and I haven't gone to their new location yet. Now I am missing treatments because of the commute and when I call, she never has a schedule for me. Forget it. I am truly thinking about suing them.

I signed up with ALC in 2008. It is now 2010 and I have no results and the area (upper lip) got significantly worse because of having to shave it every time I went in for an appointment. This place is not only a scam, but their laser treatments aren't even effective. They have an online contest in which everyone is a winner and this gets them to lure people in the door. Their customer service department is non-existent. I had one of their own employees tell me to go through regional because they don't like to see their numbers go down and I'm not the first person to complain.

She even mentioned for me to go online and see how many others are out there just like me (which by that time, I already had). I went through the BBB and attorney general and my claims got denied. I just don't understand how a company like this can get away with all of this. Online, there is not one good thing written about this company! How can they take people's money and not even have customer service or any regard for their customers? They need to be looked further into because what they are doing to people isn't right, they are taking advantage of people!

I signed up for the matrix treatment. After they gave me a five minute skin test, I felt my heart racing, and because I have high blood pressure, I called my doctor for advice. He wrote a letter to them advising against the matrix treatment. I emailed them within 24 hours to cancel the treatment. They have charged me $780.00 and refuse to give me the detailed ledger explaining what I am being charged for.

I purchased a bikini package and went for years. I still have to shave. During that time, I was still in the process of the bikini hair removal and they sold me another package for lip and chin (for my sister) and another lip (for me). My sister lives in Oklahoma and they closed their shop in Oklahoma--but I still have not received my refund. I also complained that since the hair on my lip is light blonde, they shouldn't have sold me a package (one of their associates told me later that if there is little pigmentation in the hair, it won't work!). I have gotten no response from them.

Terrible customer service. They push buying more and more on you all the time. Guarantees don't mean anything. Treatments don't clear areas. They don't return phone call messages. They screw up your billing all the time. There's never a contact number for any kind of regional manager listed anywhere. Unless you take them to court, they don't respond to any wrong they've done you.

I attended the 2010 Revlon Run-Walk in Los Angeles with my mother who is a cancer survivor. There was a booth perpendicular to the starting point that advertised American Laser Centers/Help Prevent Cancer. I utilized this facility and was scammed out of $6000.00 on a two package procedure that was for e-matrix(facial laser) & Vela. I was shown before and after pictures of individuals with severe cases of face scarring, discoloration, and wrinkles. The vela shape that I was shown showed severe cases of stretch marks and cellulite. I had minimal scarring and sun spots and minimal stretch marks solely from weight gain-weight loss. I was told that the before and after pictures were from clients that purchased one package (5-6 treatments) for both procedures.

When I talked to the Manager toward the end of my last matrix procedure, I told her that what she presented in the Sales Presentation and where I am currently at, was not what she presented and sold me. My minimal case should have been completely satisfactory compared to what she showed and stated that the before and after photos with clients who purchased the same (1) package. She had assured me that my case was so minimal there would be no problems.

I found out American Laser Centers have pending litigations for a class action law suit that has been approved to go forward on behalf of 20,000 customers. I am a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA, and will be filing a complaint through base legal, because the company is scamming our Service member out of hard earned money. Channel 10 News covered a story concerning this Company on 26 May 2010. Unfortunately I did not see this. I trusted this company because I felt that a company being represented during this event was legitimate. I can not believe that a highly recognized organization would let a company like this participate.

I made an inquiry through Facebook regarding winning a package for $3000 worth of laser hair removal. I was contacted by a representative that wanted me to come in right away. I should have known just through walking through the doors that it was a scam. I proceeded to speak with Lindsay and she rushed me through a contract. She did not tell me they were opening a credit line for me, that I would just be billed. Consequently, I signed the contract after her explanations as she gave me no time to read. I was rushed in to receive my first laser treatment.

After the treatment I almost instantly had a terrible migraine, pain in my teeth and sinuses, and a burning sensation in my lips which lasted for three days. I immediately contacted customer service the very next morning. My calls were passed from one person to the next, telling me that they had to check with the next person to find out how they could cancel my contract. My first and only treatment was on Monday June 28, 2010. When I called again today July 7, 2010, I was told by Lindsay that I should have read deeper into the contract because they have a "No refund" policy and I was stuck making the payments whether or not I received the treatment.

She stated I was still responsible for the payments. I stated I would refuse to pay for something I did not want and could not do due to physical pain. She stated that if I did not pay, it would be sent to collections and be reported to the credit card agencies. I am currently stuck with a bill of $1159.00 and I refuse to receive any further treatments due to the physical pain it caused, much less would I ever deal with the attitude given by Lindsay or any of the staff of the entire company for giving me the runaround with all of the calls and only being told today that there are no refunds!

I went to American Laser Center because I had a bad job done on my legs with lipodissolve from another doctor. The manager took me in her office and told me she could fix it with six sessions of mere shape. I went four times and had sloppy experiences. The fifth time I went, it was a new manager. She told me the old manager misled me and that they could have never fixed my legs. I never finished my sessions of course. I am now trying to get a refund and getting no response. I now have to get find a lawyer and file a lawsuit against them.

I stupidly signed up for a contest with them only to have them call me every night for two weeks even though I am on the national do not call list. They harassed me beyond repair and broke the law. I am beyond angry. they used their contest deceptively to get info and then clog my voice mails with vague messages alluding to winning this bogus contest.

They have the worst customer service I've ever seen in my entire life. Very rude and the management is very unprofessional. Please dont waste your time or money with this place.

The staff members are unprofessional; they changed our appointments without notifying us, they double booked one of my appointments and ask me to leave before my treatment session is finished because the "new" client arrived. Once they got my money, it did not matter any more for them if I am happy or not. more than $11,000.00 is monetary loss with no results, and more than 3 years of wasted treatments time.

This company is a complete scam! They used manipulative, pushy sales tactics to make me sign a contract with them. They refuse to give me a refund even for all the services I have not been rendered. I only went for one laser hair removal treatment. It was disappointing, because the treatment was extremely painful, and ineffective! I asked for a refund for the remaining treatments, while fully willing to pay for the first treatment that I received (even though it was completely ineffective and a total rip-off), and they have refused. I have contacted their corporate office and their legal department. They are incredibly rude, and refuse to compromise in any way.

I started my vela and chin hair removal treatment on 2/17/10. They explained that I wouldn't see results on the vela treatment or the hair removal until the 6th or 7th treatment for that reason. I purchased a $2,200 skin tightening treatment at American Laser Center in Norwalk, CT. I purchased a package of 6 for the chin hair removal. I paid $858. I only had two chin treatments and four velas which I have not seen results on any of these treatments.

Now, after only four of treatment, they closed the office in Norwalk, CT and are refusing to give me a full refund. I found out that the office was closing when I went for an appointment and the staff told me it was their last two days. They are asking me to go to the office in White Plains, NY or the one in West Hartford, CT which it is impossible for me to drive so far and out of state. They offered to give me a partial refund but I haven't seen any results and if I want to have this treatment somewhere else, I will have to pay full price.

I went into ALC to get a free consultation for Velashape. The manager had me show her the areas I wanted treated for cellulite removal. She informed me that it would take approximately 15 treatments to eliminate the cellulite in those areas. I purchased a package of 15. After the first appointment, I left with two quarter-sized painful burns on the inside of my left thigh. The second appointment, I left with three aspirin sized burns on my right leg and another nickel-sized burn on my left.

During the third visit, I was told that I could purchase the maintenance package for a "great deal" but I had to do buy it that day. Never once from the first time that I walked into the clinic did they tell me that these procedures may not work.

After 12 treatments, I asked the manager to please look at my before and after pictures because I was seeing zero results, except for several burns. She agreed that the difference was very minimal. I am so very upset because I truly believed the technicians at ALC. If I didn't believe them, I would never have spent over $6000 on Velashape packages. I now have a total of nine burns on my legs and abdomen. They are ugly, awful scars and I refuse to wear a swimsuit now because they are so ugly and visible.

I paid off $2000 of the bill and I still owe over $4000. I don't want to return but I feel as though I have no choice. I don't want to get burned anymore. They are so painful and I do not want any more terrible scars. I stopped going for a couple of months so that my current burns could heal. I just want to stop going. I am willing to give up the $2000 that I already paid but I want the current balance eliminated. In my case, I believe this is only fair, especially since I have not defaulted on the loan or made any late payments. The fact that they have burned me numerous times makes me believe that I should not be subjected to this again. Yet, I should not have to continue paying for treatments that I will not receive or want to receive for that matter.

Everyone at ALC was incredibly friendly and they all agreed that the treatments are not working. They also agreed that I have done my part in purchasing packages, maintaining my weight and exercising. They are all very sorry for burning me and I can tell that they truly feel for me. However, there has never been any mention of a refund. What can I do to solve this problem?

My complaint is that they schedule the appointments so far apart (7 weeks- probably because they have over-scheduled), that you don't get in many appointment in the 2 year contract. I hear commercials on the radio for other companies saying get ready for summer. Summer will come and be gone by your 3rd appointment with American Laser. Another complaint is that, they ask you to point out the hair on your face, when they're the ones with the huge magnifying glass. They know where you have hair! After 2 years, I still have side burns and facial hair. My contract is up, and I spent $1,800. I'm out $1,800, and I still have embarrassing hair on my face.

Ms. N is the clinic manager of ALC - Allentown. I was working as a full time technician there and was fired because I refused to treat a client with keloid scarring. Individuals with keloid scarring are not able to receive any treatment (according to company policy) as it could result in horrific permanent scars/burning. Ms.N is constantly asking her techs to perform illegal treatments for the purpose of reaching sales goals.

Please reconsider if you're thinking about purchasing anything for this clinic. The technicians are being forced to ignore company policy, therefore your safety may be in danger.

I believe Vela-Shape does work under the proper conditions and I wish I had checked sites like this first before I went to AML to have it done. If you get the proper technician who spends the appropriate amount of time on you, results will be seen but some of my appointments were an hour and some thirty minutes and I had a total of 16 treatments.

In that time frame, some of my appointments would also run 30 to 45 minutes late after, of course, my first visit when I paid them 3000 dollars. On the days they ran late, I found out that they were squeezing in new trial patients and purposefully backing up my time.

My sister, who is a nurse and a believer in the technology, had signed up at the same time and found out that they were short of nurses and began working there. What an eye opener that was. She did her online training but was put on the lasers with clients without her full-time with another nurse as her shadow because they said they were overbooked. My sister was chastised by the office manager for taking too long with patients and so when one of the company trainers came in she asked how long a certain procedure would take for several different areas of hair lasering and she was told two to two and a half hours, but she was being scheduled with clients after 45 minutes. So they get you in there and the lay person has no idea how long treatment should take and they're just throwing in more and more clients.

It's an incredible shame because after checking, I know I could have gotten this same service for less, but had I been treated ethically and given my complete time every time, I still might have gone back.

Please beware of American Laser Centers for any procedure. I started with doing Microdermabrasion at the beginning of this year. The clinic manager by the name of Ashley assured the procedure was both cheaper and more effective then most facials. As it turns out my skin looked like that of a 13 year old with horrible break outs for 5 months. We then went to the Velashape as an alternative to the micros, apparently this helps to contour problem spots your body (cellulite, small fat patches etc), or so they said. The procedure cost $2100, and after telling many of the clinic's estheticians that I saw nothing happening from the first appointment on forward, the measurements all reading the same, and the pictures looking identical they told me that in fact it was something that i was doing that wasnt allowing the treatment to work. I followed all instructions given to me and I am extremely active, there is no way this treatment if it really does work could not have worked on someone like myself who is neither reckless with diet or overweight.

They clinic and customer service made it seem like i went a wolfed down a cheesecake after having this done, when in fact i am actually very thin (115LBS) and very active. They would not refund the money, luckily they only have about $500 out of the total bill of $2100. The customer service is TERRIBLE. No one can ever do anything, they always refer you to higher management in which you can never get ahold of. The clinic manager takes no responsibility and ignores phone calls.

The whole time I was very reasonable about getting a refund or even switching the Vela for another service. I will gladly pay for any service or item that actually works and is acceptable. Too bad they kept ignoring my calls, now I just ignore their bills. I still owe $1600 some dollars on the Med Choice bill, but I refuse to pay something so illegitimate.

I started laser hair removal treatment for my blonde hair in 12/2006. I went through the 5 treatments they give before you go into the "guarantee" and complained I did not see any results. They told me sometimes blonde hair takes longer to get rid of because it is not as easy to see in the light. To make a long story short, 2 1/2 years and many complaints later, the only results I saw was the slight thinning of the hair but no reduction. I finally decided to stop the treatment before my remaining 2 treatments were up because I was frustrated that I wasn't seeing results, I was breaking out, had bad customer service fron their employees, and I had been burned from a previous treatment that left a scar. After many attempts to talk with the office manager, I was able to speak with the Regional Manager who happened to be in the office that day. I complained about not seeing results and she told me 1% of people do not see results.

I asked her why was I not informed of this before I signed the agreement. Her comment to me was "Well because it is such a low number, why would we mention it?" I was complaining practically every time I was in the office and they never once told me about this 1%. They refuse to give me my money back because "they did their part" and they claimed I stated I was receiving results, which I never did. I even offered to show them the area where the hair is but they did not care.

HAIR Removal thousand dollars just lower leg it's more than $1500: they promised the hair will be killed ahead. But they just make it patch. Their machine couldn't go everywhere due to operator's not careful enough, the place didn't go just left the hair there. After two years no matter how much the hair are not killed, they don't care. For fotofacial, I was told after 5 treatment about $1500 I will be 5 years younger but it's not at all.

They promise to give you remind call for each appointment. When they didn't and you forgot, they would charge you for $75 "no show fee" even your treatment just costs you $30 for the microderm. For my package, my agreement says that $35 may be charged for the "no show fee" but they changed it to $75 as they want. They didn't explain what condition will be charged and what will not. They kept telling you that they would call you to remind you and you don't need pay attention to it and you wouldn't be really charged.

At the same time, they didn't give you remind call and charge you double your treatment for not showing. Contacted customer service but they provided has been shocking and appalling. They just say our upper mangement will contact you later, but just nobody calls you. For sure they wouldn't give you refund. Money spent for no result at all. Just got hassel there.

After that, I had tried calling [them] a zillion times and left several messages and nobody has returned my phone calls. I paid $1800 upfront for my treatment but the customer service provided has been shocking and appalling. Please let me know what I need to do, I would like to speak to the upper management regarding my case.

Response phone call received on 1/19/07: "Area Manager: Claire, Chelsea will call"

No one has followed up...every time I called I could not reach a real person. I am tired of following up with this fake company. It has left a big scar in my mind about the way I have been cheated.

I've been going for about 3 years worth of treatments and paid $2500 for hair removal on my face and my arms. I have not seen any results on my face and my arms have thinner hair, but its not gone at all. They told me this last time that my time was up, with no warning at all. When I was told about all of this, they said that I shouldn't mind because there are people with darker hair on their face and then tried to sell me the Photo Facial. It bothers me to think that their staff would say such things to people after they just spent close to $2500 on the treatments with no results. Obviously people are there to take care of things that they are self conscience about. I will never ever go there again, American Laser Centers are just used car sales people wrapped in esthetician's clothing.

American Laser agreed to remove black heads and sun spots with a laser treatment from my wife`s face , this included one large black head on her face we purchased some creams for $80.00 and agreed to pay $ 2,000.00 for the treatment . Five sessions later my wife face looked old , dry and wrinkled 80% of the black head were still there and the large black head we were told that they could not remove it and she would have to have it removed by surgery .

Also hair on her upper lip was removed by razor without any consent .

Aside from the fact that I spent 3 years doing hair removal on both my legs and still have hair growth, I asked to do a procedure called Affirm for the face. The procedure cost $2500 and they agreed to take payments of $500/mo until it was paid off. I told the manager I needed to make sure it was ok with my husband but she continued to ask for my credit card information, so I figured I could make a payment of $250 to start and gave her my credit card information over the phone.

After I talked to her, I spoke with my husband who did not agree with arrangement. I immediately called her back telling her my husband didn't agree and asked if I could have my money back. She told me she already ran my information and offered other services, I declined and said I would talk to him again. I also asked her if she could send my receipt in the mail, she I can just get it when I came in for my next appt. which was 3 weeks away. I didn't argue because at that point I knew it was going to be a fight to get my money back. Finally, when I went in for my appt (3 wks later), the manager wasn't there, so I left a note in regards to my refund. She called me back and said they couldn't issue it because they charge a $300 administration fee.

I asked for a call from her regional director, which she never called. I think called the corporate office, got a ticket number and made another request for the regional manager to call me back. She finally called a week later, leaving me a message saying they couldn't issue the refund because of the $300 that's stated in the contract. I never signed a contract though.

Also, if there's anything I could do about some type of refund for the $2200 I paid for hair removal on my legs. I went for 3 years (as part of the contract agreement) and I still have to shave my legs every several days.

i will just paste the text of the letter I sent to the local manager, Heidi W, below.Heidi--

I am writing to beg American Laser to please cancel my "Amerishape" contract. I am willing to pay for the service I have already received with the Amerismooth, but I have apparently paid twice for the service that one contract would have allowed. I have had nine Amerismooth treatments in 2009 and am willing cancel all further pending appointments.

The Velasmooth machine at the 34th St. location went down and I had to go all the way out to the Parmer lane location to be treated. (I really should not have been driving that far on the medication.) Then the north location was not allotting the proper amount of time for the process and they were very inconsistent with doing one area, then another, and certainly not each area each week. One of their technicians bruised my shoulderblades. I still can't figure out how she did that, as that is not even an area we were supposed to treat.

So the breakdown is this:

Affirm-------------1500.00

I am requesting only that you cancel the $4000.00 Amerishape contract and run a return to CareCredit for that amount. Please help me. This whole time in my life has been very difficult and I was very irrational. I am still being treated for the psychological effects the accident had on me and this has been part of the stress I am experiencing. I also had to take time off work to get the treatments that I have had.

Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can reach a resolution.

2 days before my already rescheduled appointment the district manager called me and said I had to reschedule again. At this point I had it and request a refund of my unused portion of my $466 which they flatly refused to do. I gooled the company, after the fact, and was not surprised to see the myriad of complaints against them. This is one more to that number. American Laser Center on Cedar Crest Blvd in Allentown, PA. I have not received any of the promised results and I have yet to receive my refund of $349.34 or any portion of it.

I really tried to handle this the professional route but did not work. In short this only took American Laser Center in San Mateo only 10 minutes to officially take my money, have me sign a contract and realize after I signed they can not treat me and all in all I got no copies of anything because they were going to void it all. I got scammed!

I have been scammed out of my money either $2000 (hair removal bikini, half leg laser treatment) or $300 (administration fee) possibly. No credit issued as of yet they were quick to take my money but slow on giving my money back they keep giving me the run around that I will receive a refund in 2 weeks and I talked to their customer service and I hear this will take now 4-6 weeks to give me my 100% refund. this includes my $300 administration fee, etc. to resolve. I used my AMEX so this was good for me I was able to contact my credit card company to open an investigation and put these charges on hold (safe for now).

I have asked for my refund and I am not sure I will get a quick refund or answer. so far it has been a lot of work to just get the appropriate refund form emailed to me. The clinical manager was saying in an email that the refund form was attached to that I will not receive my $300 refund. they did absolutely nothing in that 10 min time frame, no consultation fee, no service at all just a lot of sales tactics to have me sign quickly and take my money.

The Clincial Manager took it upon herself to make some calls and tried to convince me (all a show) it was ok they could treat me for laser treatments even tried to convince me to stay and through in my laser treatment for under my arms for free to convince me to get these laser treatments even though her medical staff repeated to her that I had a possible keloid scar. I just want you to know that I have been mentally traumatized by this event.

I asked them to credit (refund) my account in the amount of $2000 which includes the $300 administration fee. I am so disappointed and can not believe my health and safety was not taken into consideration here and I asked them to issue my refund asap.

In May, after 3 of the 6 treatments, I decided that I would like to have my chin done as well and approached them to add that to my appointments since I was coming anyway. A contract was drafted and I paid $500.00 for this package, which also had 6 treatments included. Both packages included a 2 year guarantee.

After the lip treatments were finished, I them I had not seen any hair loss and was advised that since I was still coming for my chin treatments, they would just eventually fall out. Each visit after that, they pressed for how much hair loss I had. They always settled with 20%, even though I said I thought that their was addition hair growth. When it came to the end of my chin treatments, the same thing continued. I did not ask to schedule another appointment but I was automatically given one, and then another, and then another. In fact, a 9 month ordeal was stretched out to be complete in April 2009. Yes, you are reading it correctly, 3 years and two months later, I have received the final treatment.

After my last lip treatment, I asked to talk to the manager about the lack of hair loss. This request started in October. Each visit I would be told that the manager wasn't in or the computers were down and they couldn't view the file. There were numerous excused given. In the end, the manager that I was to talk to was replaced and a new one transferred in from another branch. This started the process all over again. Noone would take responsibility for the lack of hair loss, each blaming the other for whatever. Eventually it came down to, sorry about you, we have your money and you are now excused and...Oh, we'll give you one more treatment and then hit the road jack. Now, I went for the extra treatment but I fail to see how one treatment after 3 years is going to make any kind of a difference.

Bottom line, they agreed to hair removal and, in my opinion, I did not get what I paid for. I was told after the last treatment, if I couldn't live with it to come back and they would take a look. I am at the 1 month mark now and I am on my way back to the center today with my beard to see what, if anything, they will do. I guess the best option would be to join the freak show at the fair!

My suggestion to you is to save your money and time for American Laser is not a reputable company and they do not stand behind their promises or guarantees. The only thing that they are good at, is taking your money to the bank.

On 10/22/2008, I responded an e-mail call by visiting one of the American laser Centers for facial hair removal treatment. I was told that treatment would be continued for two years for total six sittings, and financial agreement was signed with Chase Health advance.

After first treatment,treated area of my face became black, and I was asked by my physician to dicotinued treatment due to sensitive skin. On 12/09/2008, I handed over physician's note to Ms.m and discontinued my treatment, and copy of the same was send to Chase Health Advance. I was billed by Chase Health Advance Financial company. I paid $ 87. 46 on 11/11.2008, and asked American leasar centers to refund balance to Chase Health Advance.

American Laser Centers did not refund full balance to financial company.I am billed by chase Health advance monthly and harrased by them to pay the balance amount. I have not recieved full course of treatment from American laser Center, it is their responsibility to refund balance to financial company. Please justify accordingly. Thanking you.

I bought a package of laser hair removal treatments in Feb of 2007 for $4,200 which included 6 treatments plus a 2-Year guarantee- if you have any hair left after the 6 treatments you can keep coming for two years to continue treatment. I have light hair but the salesperson told me it is just as effective because their lasers look for density as well as pigment. After 2 years I've barely seen any results and the manager, Ms. Lake told me that there are special packages for light-haired clients who require twice as many treatments (so 12 for $8,400) as normal. This was the first time I heard this & I never would have signed up for treatment that is 1/2 as effective or twice the cost. I feel this was a deliberate misrepresentation, which ALC covers up with its results not guaranteed disclaimer.

Most recently, I had an appointment that I'd made months in advance and on my way there they called me & informed me it had been canceled. Because I couldn't go on short notice to the only alternate appt they offered me, they said I was out of luck.

I don't see why they wouldn't be able to abruptly cancel all of my future appointments & repudiate my contract with no repercussions.

Based on my firsthand experience, what I've heard & read these issues are endemic and rife for a class action lawsuit.

Repudiation of contract, misrepresentation. $4,200 compensatory plus punitive damages.

I have been going to ALC for 3 years with no results. Actually I did have one result: it ruined my face and made the hair much worse. They told me that I had to shave the area. This and their treatments caused damage to the skin and now I have scars. The dark hairs remained in fact became much worse over time. I have had well over 13 treatments so far with zero result. I have talked to the staff at the clinic and corporate many times over the duration of my treatments. They have used the highest settings on the newest lasers and double, triple and quadruple passed the treatment area. I resorted to contacting corporate over and over and have been for months now with no results.

I have so far spoken to at least 6 customer service reps who promise to follow up with the local clinic and medical staff and never do. They refer to the non-responder protocol and keep talking about how it gets routed here and there but never say what will result. I have been undergoing the non-responder protocol? for over a year now. Two months ago I had pictures taken at the local clinic after being told to do so by Corporate Customer Service. I did so and the local clinic supposedly never filed the non-responder report and sent it to the medical staff.

Today I called again and spoke to Angel who says he will contact the Cordova clinic to get the report. I told him that I had spoken to 5 reps and have heard nothing. According to him the medical staff claims they never received anything. I asked him about the protocol. The process is that the nurse on call receives the report and reviews the form and patient file then it goes to the regional manager. That was all he said. Eva (Angel's supervisor) the customer service manager got on the phone. She said that part of the problem is that the regular manager at my local clinic has been replaced. She said she would contact the local clinic and get back to me. I asked her how long the medical staff will take once they get this report? She replied that it takes normally takes them two weeks to reply. She also said oddly that maybe they can offer some complimentary services? Why would I want any more services that so far have been costly and damaging?

Then I received an email from the local clinic saying that they believe a refund is in order. I then called the Overland Park clinic who also promised a full refund. I finally reached someone at Corporate who advised they will be giving a full refund. When I called back after weeks of no response I find out they want to offer a 90% refund however I never received anything. I then filed with the BBB, and State Attorney General, etc. Dr. M. Phillips is the medical advisor to that clinic who is never there and in fact either in Nashville, Knoxville or Chattanooga (the staff dont even know).

I am under the impression that the clinic staff does not hold anything but an esthetician license if that. I requested a copy of the full and complete chart and I am told it will take 30 days for them to provide it. I believe this is not only breach of contract (no results for services rendered) but possibly also medical malpractice. INVOICES: 4-27-06 $101.61 4-27-06 $2233.15 6-29-07 $1079.82 7-07-07 $1702.44 GRAND TOTAL: $5117.02

Scars and duped out of thousands of dollars. I currently have a case with small claims court and awaiting trial.

I wish I had researched ALC before I went there. If I had seen all of these complaints, along with other websites, including the BBB, I would have never went there!

I signed up for 8 VelaShape sessions for $2520.00. In the end, I was a half inch bigger than I was before I started. Of course, they don't guarantee anything, so you're just out the money, PERIOD. They don't even act like they care. It's all a scam, so once they get your money, it's all over with. It took me 2 months to get them to send me my records so that I could show my attorney. Of course, they didn't include everything. The Technicians made hand written notes with each visit. I had voiced my concerns each time, but I have no record of it. PLEASE DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!

I am out $2520.00, which i didn't have to begin with. Now I'm trying to pay that back, plus interest on something that did not work at all!

I meet with Clinic Assist Mgr Clarissa Torres on 12/18/2006 at La Mesa location in regards to dark patches on both of my cheeks. Clarissa's diagnosis was sun damage and recommended 5-IPL laser treatments & 5-dermabrasion to completely remove the patches. added upper lip hair removal $2767.34 total. Unfortunately, by the third treatment I became concern as my condition show no signs of improvement. I then had a talk with Clarissa and she recommended to use a higher setting but still no improvements and the affected area started to develop tiny bumpy kind of things, also my upper lip was getting darker.

I got scared and immediately stop all treatments and requested a refund. I latter find out that my condition is Melasma. Clarissa asked me to give her 3 months to get this matter resolve, called her by the end of the 3 months just to find out that she was not longer working for the company. I spoke to new Assist Mgr Laura, She told me that I was misdiagnosed by Clarissa and that IPL was not effective for my skin condition. A few days latter she called me with a refund approval & asked me to wait 45 days for check to be received.

I waited 2 months & no check. I called Laura again she then advice me to speak with Clinic Mgr Hanna. I explained the situation,she also agreed on the misdiagnosis & offer a refund. Refund was approved and was advice to wait 3 weeks for check to arrived, it has been 7 months and still no check...Hanna is not answering nor returning my calls.

For a single Mom every penny counts. I work hard to save these money to have the dark patches on my face removed. I am now out of $2,700 and still dealing with my skin condition which I now know that I am suffering from Melasma due to hormonal imbalance and need to see a Doctor.

I went into this office for a free consultation regarding laser services. The managing agent, M. Cali had me sign paperwork to be approved for credit from Chase Health Advantage. The amount she was attempting to charge was not adding up there was a $606.00 difference. I told her I would think about it, but had intended to get the services but wanted a little more time to think about it. When I called her to tell her that I would consider getting the services, she informed me that the charge had went thru already and if I tried to get my money back from Chase Health Advantage it would take months and my credit would be ruined, but not to worry she would give me additional services for the money she overcharged me. I told her I did not want this that I wanted her to credit my account, and she told me she would take care of this when I came in on my first visit which was on November 24, 2008.

When I came in for my visit she was not in but I was told she would be in before my procedure was done. When I came out to leave Maria was at the front desk and when she saw me she hurried into a back office and refused to come out to speak to me. I could not believe how unprofessional she was acting and became very uncomfortable about the whole situation, because of the medical procedures they were performing and the lack of professionalism was alarming to me. I was told she would call me later that day and I made call after call for several days and she would not return my calls. I decided to contact Chase Health and I disputed the charge, she refunded me a partial amount of $5,023.52 but charged me for $1820.93 in services. This is crazy because I do not know how she came up with this number.

I have to now do an additional dispute with Chase Health for this amount and I emailed Maria and told her that I do not understand why she is charging me this amount and why she will not contact me to rectify this situation. I told her that if I did not hear from her in 10 days I would contact an attorney. She finally called me today and was extremely hostile and hung up the phone on me after I asked her one simple question which was why she did not return my calls up until this point. I went onto their website and there are so many negative reviews attached to the American Laser Center, I wish I would have done this before I went for my consultation. I am very upset and feel like I was scammed and I would like any advice on how to handle this. Thank you very much.

unauthorized charge of $5,023.52

Canceled contract right away after reading bad reports about them. Did not recieve any service. Company gave me a run around for full refund. It is going on a year now. Clinic manager lied and said I recieved service.

Stress!

On the treatment for 6/1/08 I had Jen Jarvis and she changed everything she even gave me a machine that is weaker in strength for some weird reason. She said my treatments are too close together and I need to wait sometime before I get a new treatment. So, I went on 8/10/08 my back hair almost fully grew back from 6/1/08 to 8/10/08. Keep in mind I have had over 30 treatments. When I went for my treatment on 8/10/08 Julie said she is my new tech and she can't give me an explanation why my back hair is the same as when I came in on 3/26/05, all she can do is talk to her manager Joanne. She does know that I have had too many techs do my back. In my opinion this should not matter. Julie was supposed to call me on 8/11/08 and never did.

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I have received. When I initially signed my contract for the treatments I researched on the internet and other laser clinics in Chicago and they said most patients need 4 to 6 treatments. When I signed up with Jackie B. she told me about the two year guarantee that after 6 treatments if there is still growth I can come as much as I want for an additional 2 years. Jackie also stated that most likely I won't need to use the 2 year guarantee but it is an option if I want to pay more money and make sure there is never any growth. I was convinced since I read I only need 4 to 6 treatments and wanted to do whatever it takes to get rid of the hair.

I have been going to the Hoffman Estates office from 3/25/05 to 8/10/08 I would estimate that I have about 30++ treatments which is unheard of since most treatments take 4 to 6 sessions. I was told because of my nationality I probably have more hair than a normal patient which is not true my back in the first place never had that much growth and all during my treatments I could never feel anything I would always have to ask them to put the machine at a higher frequency and supposedly they had me at the highest. I find this hard to believe because I know when you have laser treatments you are suppose to feel some kind of discomfort/pain and your back should definitely be red and have a slight irritation when they are done. I never had ANY irritation or pain. Most of the time I would fall asleep while the treatments were given to me, It felt like no one was even doing anything for 3 years. I would comment constantly and I was told not to worry about it and after the 2 additional years I will be very happy and the treatments do work.

I feel that your product was falsely advertised to me. I only have hair thinning the product is called Laser hair removal not laser hair thinning. I also found some un-truthful/misleading advertisement on [their] website. How many treatments will I need? Our technology destroys hairs that are in the active growth phase, so repeat treatments will be needed to target hair that was not affected at the time of previous treatments. Normally six* treatments are recommended to get the optimum results and our written guarantee**. *Depending on hair and skin color, some persons may require additional sessions; some persons may require additional sessions.

My hair has no special circumstances where it would take about 20 sessions to get rid of. I was told by numerous technicians at American Laser that I have the skin color that is perfect for laser. I feel after all these sessions I should have some kind of balding. All I have is thinning after all these sessions I should not have hair growth all over my back. What results can I expect? At the end of the treatment program you can expect your skin to remain smooth. Treatment program you can expect your skin to remain smooth.

This is definitely false advertisement my back is far from smooth. Also keep in mind my back hair almost fully grows back in 2 months. I'm not sure about what will happen long term I'm not sure that after a year if my back hair will fully grow back. Using common sense if it grows almost 90% back in 2 months in 12 months it will be 100% fully grown.

When I came in for my one of my treatments on 3/9/08 and showed my dissatisfaction to my treatments. Jen Jarvis told me there was nothing that can be done because the 2 years are up. I need to be more concerned with buying another 3 years worth of treatments. When I asked her why after 2 years I still have growth again she changed the subject and was most interested in telling me how I should buy another package because she is going to give me a good price and how she has to sell $7500 a month or she gets fired.

I e-mailed Tracy Lowery at corporate on 3/10/08 and asked her about the 2 year guaranty: "The clinic manager would be able to answer that question for you and it's usually based on their discretion. So it would depend on the circumstances as well. I can set you up for a free consultation at one of our convenient locations.

As the e-mail states from corporate it is based on the clinics discretion if they want to give me additional treatments. I feel that after they received my money I was ignored and everyone was most interested in making more money then finding a resolution to my problem that the treatments are not working on me.

Nothing is being done to come up with some kind of resolution/solution I have been going to American Laser for about 4 years I think enough is enough. I am going to be forced to take higher action. If I do not receive some kind of response in 2 weeks to come up with some kind of solution I am going to be forced to report American Laser to: 1. The Better Business Bureau. 2. Governor's office of Consumer Affairs for American Labor. 3. Chamber of Commerce with Hoffman Estates. 4. If needed to take Legal action.

I have included pictures of my back that were take on 8/10/08 after having 30+++ treatments, copies of false advertisement on website, and a copy of my receipt. I would like someone from corporate to call me and discuss some kind of solution/resolution with me. Did not do as the contract stated. I lost $2300.00 for services that were not provided.

Here is a copy of all my conversations that have happen with American Laser

3/26/08 @ 12:20 PM

9/31 @ 11:00 AM

4/15/08 @ 4:30 PM

Jen Jarvis called and asked my why Im signed up for appointments. She thinks they are a mistake and cancelling them. I told her about the special treatments Annette is going for me. (none of the employees, managers, etc communicate with each other)

4/20/08 @ 11:30 AM

Everything went fine with my treatments, but the tech Julie didnt know why I was there. I asked her if Annette told her my situation and she said no. But, she did take pictures and after the session my skin was a little red and I left slight pain. This was after telling Julie over 5 times to make the machine higher (the techs should know my settings by now)

6/1/08 @ 10:00 AM

Jen Jarvis told me she cant do a double pass on me because the machine I used before doesnt go high enough so she made me use a machine on the other side by the exit sign. Later I found on 8/10/08 that Jen Jarvis was lying to me according to Julie the machine on the opposite side of where I was is stronger. I am not exactly sure why Jen didnt listen to ANY protocol on how my back was supposed to be done. She didnt give me a double pass, I was on a weaker machine, no pictures were taken and she changed ALL my appointments. While Jen was doing my back it felt like I was just laying there like nothing was done to my back no pain or redness, Im not even sure if the machine was on. As always Jen told me that someone as American Laser doesnt know what they are doing. She explained to me Annette doesnt know what shes talking about and shes going to change my appointments and I should be coming in every 2 months instead of what Annette wanted which was every 6 weeks.

8/10/08 @ 11:30 AM

I had the tech Julie this time. She explained to me going forward she will me my new Tech. She had me on the machine on the right side which is supposedly stronger. Julie explained to me she will be speaking to her manager Joanne and I will definitely receive a call on Monday, 8/11/08. (As of 8/14/08 I havent received a call.) She said she doesnt know much information about my back or have much information to look at but she says my main problem is not having the same tech (this should not matter.) As always there was no pain or redness after treatment.

8/13/08 @ 2:00PM

Julie said they will offer me 10 more treatments at no charge. I spoke with Christine Huff at Corporate and she is going to communicate with the Hoffman Estates office to review my case.

8/18/08 @ 10:45 AM

I e-mailed Christine Huff to find out the status of my situation. Julie never called me back from 8/13/08.

I purchased a service for hair removal that was unsucessful. I went through many, many, treatments and they were unsuccessful. I was told by several managers that they would investigate case and start process for refund but there is such turnover in management that my case is not being handled properly. I have been patient but that is running out. I refuse to pay that much money for a service that did not work.

I did contact the Better Business Bureau regarding this and they have been trying to assist me as much as possible but the company does not seem to be responding to them either.

I am out $2,200.00 that I purchased for a service that did not work.

I went to American Laser Center for a free consultation. It seemed like a lot of money to me, but the woman said I could get credit from Care Credit. She went out of the room and said I was approved for the amount of $2450.00. I made an appointment, but the next day which was the 16th of June, I decided it was more than I could afford and I wanted a real Dr., rather than a technician.

I called to cancel but the receptionist said their fee was non refundable, but since I thought I had just applied for the credit and hadn't received it yet, and also had not had any treatments yet that I could cancel.It was not even three business days yet. She said someone would call me back to discuss it, but no one did. A week later the woman I talked to originally called to remind me of my appointment. I told her I had called a week earlier to cancel because I had decided not to go through with it.

I had also called Care Credit to cancel my account on the 16th of June. I thought this was resolved. But today I got a bill from Care Credit for $2450.00. I don't want this service and don't think I should have to pay this. I did not think I was obligated before even one appointment. And I thought legally that there was a 3 day period in a financial agreement in which you could change your mind. I never belived I was absolutly committed or I would have asked for time to think it over. I didn't think nonrefundable meant before recieving any treatment. I didn't realize that I had already paid a nonfefundable fee. I thought I was just apllying for credit and therefore hadn't paid yet.

I'm a nervous wreck. I made a mistake and realized almost immediately that this would be financially over my head. I'm physically sick at my stomach with anxiety. Also I have A.D.D., which causes me to be impulsive and to not always comprehend what I,m being told. I'm retiring from my job on June 31.And my income will be greatly reduced. I also have alot of medical bills because I have Chronic Fatigue. I can't afford this and made an impulsive decision, but didn't realize it was irreversable. I didn't even see the part about a nonrefundable fee when I signed the paper because the woman was talking to me while I was signing.

Numerous consumer complaints are widely documented across the internet about this nationwide company and its deceptive and fraudulent business practices concerning the sales of laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation. I had won $1000 in gift certificates for American Laser Centers during a fundraising event for the American Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in West Palm Beach, FL on June 1.

On June 8th, I went for consultation at American Laser Centers in West Palm Beach, and was hustled by an aggressive sales person, deceptively dressed in a medical practitioner's uniform, named Crystal Morena to purchase packages of laser care services. She offered large, arbitrary discounts and pressured me to pay that day, and to open a proprietary credit card account. I was very uncomfortable and felt like I was being swindled at a used car dealership.

When I finally agreed on prices and services, I indicated that I would pay with the gift certificates I had obtained at the fundrasier, which I had won in a silent auction that had cost me several hundred dollars to win, and she would not accept them for payment, as she said that the company treats the gift certificates like discount coupons. This was fraudulent. She said that she would have to adjust her already discounted prices upward to accomodate the gift certificates, and even indicated that I was getting a better discount without the gift certificates and should just give the gift certificates away to my wife for her future use. This is pricing fraud. Numerous consumer complaints of similar shady experiences exist, and this company should not be allowed to conduct business this way.

I went to the Pittsburgh branch in November 2006, for a free consultation. Dawn Stellabotte, the clinic manager, manipulated and tricked me into signing paperwork. She rushed me through the procedure and said we could go over the paper work later. She said I was signing privacy and medical paperwork regarding the free consultation. She also offered me a free credit check to see if I could afford any of the procedures. I was curious to see if my credit would allow it so I said OK. Instead, she opened up an $8300 line of credit in my name.

I never received any treatments, and ALC refuses to refund the money because of their No Refund policy. I am already up to $110,000 in debt from student loans (I'm a recent graduate), and I can't afford this $8300 charge. Especially since I never knew I was signing up for it. I tried to contact the corporate offices of ALC. They did their own investigation? but stood by their no refund policy. The credit company got paid, so they refuse to assist me in recovering the losses.

American Laser Centers and the credit company have also already sent the debt to a collection agency. So now I am fighting two battles trying to fend off the collection agency and trying to get a refund for a service I never received. This whole experience has been so humiliating and I lie awake at night wondering how I will ever escape this fraudulent debt. I can't afford legal fees, so I am going to try other options. I will be contacting a number of consumer advocacy agencies as well as the media so I can get some attention to this. But I need help for other people. I know there are more people like us out there, but they are embarrassed and ashamed to come forward. If I put my self out there, I know they will also come forward.

This company operates on manipulation of women with low self-esteem and they continually subscribe to fraudulent and deceptive practices, and should be forced to stop.

I Purchased a 2 year laser hair removal treatment package to remove facial hair 10/01/04 and paid $1299.50. The manager at the time was Shannon and she informed me results were guaranteed or I would get a full refund. I should see hair loss after the 1st or 2nd treatment & should be completely hair free by the 6th treatment. No results 1st few treatments and Faith the person who was doing the teatments suggested mocrodermabrasion treatments before she did the laser. Tried that... no change ...

After a few more treatments still no results and 02-06 requested a refund. The manager Nicole said I was likely a poor responder and she would complete a packet to send to the corporate office to get a refund to me. Said I should receive a check in about 1 week. 2-18-06 after several unreturned calls, spoke with Nicole on the phone and she said she had not received any response from her request. She placed me on hold & Regional manager Julia picked up.

Julia contradicted Nicole and said they had received a response and they would not be issuing a refund. ( 10-9-06 current manager Leslie told me nobody ever even requested a refund from corporate at all)She said the corporate office suggested I come every 4 weeks and at a higher setting. I tried the every 4 weeks treatments and a double pass ( going over the areas twice). Still not a single hair lost.

Asked for another refund when Kristina became manager (3rd manager to promise a refund) went through the same unfulfilled promise of them saying they would get a packet and send it to corporate. This time no response at all and nobody returned my calls.

Lost all of the $1299.50 I paid, plus travel and time off work for treatments and emotional distress

I was notified that I had won a $300 coupon on the internet for services at ALC. I went in for my consulation and signed up for a package where I had to pay $300.00 down and then would make two more payments of $500.00, my next two visits. I have been hit with extreme financial hardships in the past month and decided to call and cancel my package and get a refund of my $300.00, since I HAVE HAD NO SERVICES RENDERED.

I spoke with someone who assured me that their boss would call me within 7 business days to give me my refund. 7 days went by and no one called me. I called today and I was told that I was not allowed a refund of my money, as I was previously told before. I mananged to push my next payement back, in order to buy some more time to investigate. The person that said I could not get a refund told me I had singed a paper that did allow a refund. I found the paper and it says that I fully understand and agree to the treatment areas that will be treated and the nonrefundable fee I will pay for my treatments

Does this mean I cannot get a refund? I have not had any of their services yet. Am I obligated to make the other two payments, even though I have had nothing done? What do I need to do? I'm desperate here.

I am in serious financial debt because of the $300.00 and I fear that I will never be able to recover. I definitely cannot pay for the other payments.

I received 22 sessions of Velasmooth(cellulite) treatments at American Laser Center and after 22 sessions, I am totally dissatified with the results. I have the same amount of cellulite when I walk in American Laser Center. I became concerned about not seeing any results and Hillary Haugen the Manager of the center told me to continue my sessions and she would have no problem refunding my money back. The sessions amounted to $3298.00 and no change in my cellilute and a hefty bill of over 3 thousand dollars. They refuse to give credit my account.

The total amount charged for the intended services was $10, 769.10.

When my request for cancellation and refund was denied, I called GE and spoke to Maria #71568 who told me, among other things, to call back the next day, February 11, because the system had not yet processed the charges. I called back as instructed the next day, Saturday, February 11. I spoke to Greg #71504 after closing the account and being put through to him. Greg told me that I would have to wait for receipt of dispute forms mailed by GE to lodge a complaint and review of the charges. To follow up, I called GE again on Monday, February 13 to ensure the dispute forms had been mailed and was told that I needn't wait for the forms and should mail a letter of complaint to GE which I did that day. This was the same information Maria at GE originally told me, but which Greg told me on the 11th was incorrect. I rushed off a letter to GE on the 13th, which this narrative supplements.

I am very concerned about this situation which is causing me much anxiety.

In addition to the services being designed without a medical evaluation, I believe it is an unfair business practice and unethical to bill for services which will not be performed and for which there is no harm to the American Laser Center in allowing me to cancel and refund the debits to my account by credit to that account. Please process my dispute accordingly.

I have a credit card company wanting $10769.10 for no services performed. I have undergone much stress and anxiety over this as I currently have a perfect credit rating. I have missed work due to being distressed and stressed from the whole situation.

I badly need your assistance in helping me resolve this financial dispute with American Laser Centers.

Back in January 08, 2005, I went to their office at 461 Park Avenue South - 7th Floor, New York, NY 10016 for a free initial consultation as advertised in different newspapers with Miss Del Bianco who at that time was the office Manager Miss del Bianco who unfortunately has since passed away, about undergoing a hair removal treatment using laser

Miss del Bianco and I discussed the procedure and suggested that she will check my credit history to find out if I can avail of a payment plan . She apparently applied for a credit line with Care Credit/Ge and billed/issued me a receipt for a total of $2,200, as payment after the first treatment (for a series of 6 treatments) is given. We set my first appointment for 1/18/2005.

A couple of days later however, on 1/14/2005 to be exact, I called back Miss del Bianco to cancel my appointment and the series of treatments I discussed with her earlier. I even followed this verbal discussion with a written fax that I faxed to her office the next day 1/15/2005. I canceled my appointment because I was misled by Miss Del Bianco about the payment arangement and the lack of information that was given to me by her regarding the treatment. How it's done, what type machine they use, side effects if there are any, if its a pain free procedure or not . I also started questioning Miss del Bianco's qualifications to assess a patient. These were my concerns that made me cancel the procedure with them.

Despite the cancellation of the scheduled treatment for hair removal, a bill of $2,208.02 was issued through CARE CREDIT/GE Capital. I find these charges highly irregular since one, I canceled our transaction verbally and followed that up with a written request prior to my first schedule treamtment. And secondly and more importantly, there were no services rendered. I contact ed CARE CREDIT/GE but they said I have to resolve this problem with American Laser Centers.

I consulted a lawyer but I was advised by the lawyer to seek help from the ATTORNEY-GENERAL since I am financially unable to afford attorney' s fees.