American Laser Skincare review: unprofessional, dangerous, painful and no refund! 609

Hello Everyone,
I used to work at ALC for 4 years, and let me tell you, this company is a SCAM. Worst company you could ever spend money with. They are sales driven company and will do ANYTHING it takes to make a sale, (this includes, lies, deciet, and false information) just to get you to pay! They do NOT have a refund policy! (they didnt for 5 years with Rich Morgan being the founder, and then Gary Graves took over and said YES we do give refunds, but then he resigned and guess what? Rich Morgan is back, and NO REFUND POLICY is back as well! Please be very careful. There hair removal machine is not the newest or most efficent machine out there, ask syneron (the makers of the machine, its the lowest model they have!) no one has EVER seen 100% hair removal. There Velashape machine, IS BOGUS! as well as fotofacials skin tightning! Please do not invest with this company. For those of you who are seeking a refund, take the legal route...because ALC will not give you one

I am one more victim of ALC. I paid $6, 400 in Mar-07 for full-face, under-arms and bikini. After almost 10 painful treatments of each area I do not see any result. When I asked them about this they said I should use all the 2 years after the 6th treatment and if I still don’t see any result I should buy more treatments. Instead I developed a dark pigmentation around my lips.
They keep changing their protocols every year and the current one is that they don’t do double pass and they treat face every 4-6 weeks and rest of the body 8-10weeks. Now when I want to schedule an appointment accordingly they can’t accommodate me as they are understaffed and gives me an appointment for face after 10 weeks. When I tell the Manager that she is not really being accommodating, she says that they are booked for 2 months and I’ll have to just go with what they have. I am so frustrated that I feel like going to their office and tell all the customers about their SCAM personally and ask them not to get cheated like me!
I signed up for this treatment in Whiteplains, NY location and since we moved from there I am now going to the West Hartford, CT location since Jan-09. The manager at West Hartford location is very rude and would never let me talk to her boss, neither does she let me come and meet her personally.
Now that I know there are so many people like me, I’d like to join the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I would like to do anything in my reach to get justice to this kind of unprofessional and unethical practices. Please let me know how I can join this Lawsuit. I can be reached at sree.talluri@gmail.com .
Sree

Wow - I didn't read all 19 pages of comments but it's nice to know that I am not alone... my friend and I have the same issues. Alexis, I emailed you, please let me know what we need to do to join in the class action suit.

kara_713@yahoo.com

Wow! I'm surprised at some of the comments that this hasn't worked for a lot of people. I only did 3 treatments and the hair never came back, after 2 years. And I still have 3 treatments left. Maybe it's because I have very coarse black hair and light skin. But it can work, FYI. I do agree with their pushy sales tactics though. They opened up a CareCredit line for me right away and then they tried convincing me to get hair removal in other places. Ugh they are so evil. And then they tried selling me their stupid creams. Luckily I'm not the type to give in easily, or else they would have gotten tons of money out of me. And in the two years I have been going I've seen tons of employees come and go. Now what does that say about their company?! I'm debating whether I should get more treatments with them. Although the laser removal works for me I can't stand giving my money to pushy sales people. Ugh! And I also noticed their treatments aren't done by doctors, just by trained people with some phony certificates hanging on the wall ha ha. Kind of scary when you think about it.

WOW, I wish I had read this board before signing. I got suckered into a package deal which I thought was too good to be true and off course it is. I called the very next day, less than 14 hours after signing to cancel and I was told it's too late, corporate is already processing your paperwork. You will need to contact them for a refund. I immediately called Chase health finance to let them know what was going since I read about ALS refund policy and how difficult/impossible it is to get a full refund. I called Chase five times and nothing had been processed so I thought she did the right thing and canceled my contract.
Well, 6 weeks later guess what I just got, a bill from chase for services. Off course I'm filling a dispute with Chase and have sent a letter/email to ALS to refund...I know I won't get a response but none the less, I sent it.
SO, how can I get involved in the Class action lawsuit?

thanks

I bought American laser hair removal package for lower half of my body (including buttocks, full legs and genital part), the cost was $5000, at that time she said it’s a guarantee of removing all hair, most expensive was the genital part, i have done my four treatment, and i have no result for my genital part, not at all, i called them and said i need refund as i got this package, but they are saying we don’t give refunds, please help me what should i do in this case, i have already paid almost $4000, and it’s a package of 6 treatment +2 years.

Thanks

Normally a person should read a contract before signing.I have been going to a laser center and have had very good results on my legs.I just had my last treatment on my thighs and don't see any hair growth at all and my legs had grey hair on them.I find the people have treated me very well.they do know what they are doing and do have their certificate hung on the wall. People should not expect results after one or two treatments.if you didn't want them to do the treatments go back to shaving or use a nair product.I very much enjoyed my treatment and my legs look pretty darn good.And I am a male.

Buyer Be Ware! On 02/2008 I purchased a package from them hoping to get rid of my acne scars...they do not know what they are doing. The young girl who worked on the three times burned my face and left triangle shaped welts on my face and neck. The manager agreed that the setting they were using for me was incorrect. The location near me is very unprofessional. Their staff is always calling out and quiting so your appointments are cancelled and rescheduled.

Denton, Texas

ok here is the deal

1. Since this is a long term treatment
6+ treatments 2 to 8 week intervals you are bound to come across quite a few techs some maybe in training.

2. AL JUST RECENTLY upgraded their "machines and software" so you may see better results..sucks for everyone that signed before

3. THEY NEVER GUARANTEE HAIR PERMANENT HAIR REDUCTION. After the "2 year warranty" they can just shot you out even if you hair reduction is 0 percent

4. If you really push it, argue, file a small claims court, get a lawyer you might get your money back thats IF you have a case. Remember they have lawyers too on retainer.

5. If you missed ANY appointment or even rescheduled the warranty is void and you have no case!

My questions is this is there ANYONE that has any other laser hair removal company that can do a great job ? and actually show results much quicker?

AL will be a great company down the road when they perfect their methods for now I say shop around.

my story? 2 years later only a slight reduction and now I am told I need to pay for more additional sessions. and unless I get a good lawyer or get on a class action its not worth it.

Well thank god I googled this before I called them with my credit card number to hold my "special offer". The lady at the office I went to was extremely friendly but I am wary of everything and she was way too pushy for me. I dont like feeling like I have to buy something. I am supposed to call when I get off work and give them my credit card number but that wont be happening. Thanks for all your posts and informing us what they are all about. I hope you all get some of your money back.

Thank you for letting me know about American Laser Centers. I was scheduled to have a free appointment with them tomorrow morning, and after reading all this helpful bad publicity, I just canceled. Thank you for posting these comments for others, like me to see. I am glad there is a class action suit against them, and I will warn others to stay away. Good luck with the suit. I will keep you all in my prayers!

Grateful, from Santa Clara, CA

I, too, fell for the scam of American Laser Center. Now I am approaching the end of my "2 year guarentee" which is a lie! They have added in treatment dates which I never received in order to get me out of there quicker since the treatments are not working. And this is not the first time they've lied to me either. I am fed up with them tricking me into a proceedure that I find out I was not a good candidate for because of my hair and skin color (of course, when I went in for my free consultation, I was an "ideal candidate"...hah!). If anyone still has a lawsuit open against them, I want in please!

It's really very sad that a company can get away with this kind of abuse of the public for so long...

Cora
dancingdaisy2@yahoo.com

I am having a great experience at American Laser Center in Wisconsin. Anna is great to work with, and she has great staff that is friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely continue with their services!
Thank you Anna, Jodie and the rest of the staff!

I never got treatments for $500 package. I tried to cancel and they won't do it a center level says corporate issues refunds. However they won't issue it. I am on board for lawsuit. Keep me in the loop too!

Omg, this is so scary! I'm sooo glad and sooo thankful i did research on this company before i got involved with them! I'm supposed to go to my free consultation tomorrow but after reading this I'm definitely not going! I'm so sorry for all of the people that were fooled by this heart-less people, I hope something good comes out of all of this! But thank you for sharing your experiences with us, by this you have prevented a lot of people from going through what you guys went through! Thank you.

OMG..someone by the name Cindy called me today and told me i had won a $300 gift card towards any package at the American Laser Center. They make offers like these to trick us the "customers" into actually believing them and singing up with them. What a SCAM! so please, i hope nobody falls for their bull ###!

Thank you all for sharing your stories with us!

AMERICAN LASER is MADOFF'S YOUNGER SISTER!

These sorry behind cowards hoodwinked me too! I saved up my college refund check money so I could get treatment on my neck and chin. I was concerned I wouldn't be a good candidate but they convinced me I would be fine and that I just needed more treatments than most they said...i bought it hook line and sinker!
Long story short 2 yrs later, the AL in West Palm Beach, Fla. told me I didn't see results b/c I did things to void my contract. Even thoughevery 3-6 months they changed managers and staff, I just figured they were trying to weed out bad staffers. I always made appointments, but when I complained they'd tell me i wasn't getting results due to missed appointments!
Finally I got hung up on by the AL manager, she sabotage my chances of getting a refund buy telling corporate I used NAIR/VEET, which was a lie and corporate cared not to investigate.
They never answer the phone and the ble moon you do get some 1 they tell you its not their decision and its just a complaint line...oh yeah...ABSOLUTELY NOOOOO REFUNDS!

I chose AL b/c the had multiple sites and I travel alot, but the took advantage of a college girl when scrapped her pennies for a lifetime investment in herself. THEY ARE UNETHICAL, UNPROFESSIONAL, AND JUST LIKE ALL OTHER WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL...profiting from honest working citizens trying to better themselves.
I feel terrible for the people who spent thousands of dollars.

If I can still be added to the class action suit contact me at libra42@hotmail.com

I think I got the worst rip-off..I was led to think that they have a 50% discount which they never ever have and might never ever have again..I signed willingly to a full body laser treatment for 9, 000$..which later on I found out will become 13, 000$ with the interest rate. They opened a credit account for me with 9000$ even though i did not have any credit. I was given 4 year span to give back the money to a company that does not have online banking "chase health care"...who might be sleeping in bed with them cause they are very suspicious. Sometimes they do not even send me the bill - but i have to send the check to them on time anyway.

I went there 3 times already for laser treatments and I have not seen 1% improvement - on the contrary I think the hair has grown denser and thicker. So decided to look online for information on them and found thousands and thousands of complaints everywhere. I am now stuck with 13, 000$ in debt for nothing. How can a company like that even survive till now? they are just ripping off people's money for a promise of services - but no services. It's like they have toy laser machines - made for children to play with - just to waste people's times going there for hours and hours of non-efficient zapping. I need to get my money back - every single cent of it - but i do not know how.

I worked for ALC in a high up position for several years. I am not disgruntled. I knew that it was a sales motivated position when I accepted it. I chose to move on to another career and left on good terms. HOWEVER... while I was there I did witness a lot of shady sales tactics, not unlike most places that are sales driven, but shady none the less. I recently recarpeted the whole ground level of my house, the sales rep came out and even "called her manager" to get me the absolute best price possible. Now being that I am a sales person myself I didn't think that I was falling for a sales scheme, and accpted the HUGE discount that she so graciously got for me at 50%...only to see a commercial the very next day that the company was (and had been for 2 weeks) running a 65% off special. I was suckered. But that is sales.
When it comes to results...the corporate companies use sub par lasers (or light sources I should say...they are not an actual laser) because in most states there is no requirement for what level of training you ust have to operate one. Therefore these less agreesive lasers prove less likely to cause serious burns making it less important to have properly educated staff persons operating the machinery. Some of the privtely owned companies have purchased and are using higher grade actual lasers like the light sheer diode. This will give results. Do not be fooled by the guarantee. This guarantee states NO WHERE that you will have permanent hair removal or even 100% reduction. It merely states that if you still have hair after your package ends you can continue to treat for 2 more years (only if you have followed the protocol). It is tricky wording and often misrepresentaion in the consultation that causes so many of these posting. Unfortunately most buyers are not taking the time to make sure that they are completely informed prior to making their purchase.
If you pay with a credit card you can call the credit card compnay to stop pay.
If you paid by Care Credit (who has now limited it's funding to ALC companies due to so many unsatisfied customers) you can call them directly to have them discontinue payment.
If you paid thru Chase call Chase directly, they will also stop payment.
Be informed. Most credit card companies will fight for a refund with you.
If you are years into this and still have no results you have no recourse. You continued to treat knowing the results you were getting therefore it is like eating an entire meal then complaining that it wasn't cooked well enough...no restaurant would give you a refund, and neither will ALC.
The high amount of turnover is due to the high level of intimidation when it comes to sales. EVERY staff person there is a sales person. EVERY discount can be gotten at any time and is never as low as they would go.
Good luck to everyone that is pursuing a refund... but I doubt you will ever find resolution.

I am in the same boat as everyone else, they lied to me and when I cancelled two days later I NEVER received a refund, it's been almost a year. They never answer their phone it's impossible to reach anyone! I'd like to join the class action lawsuit if not to late please email me at

keliamparan@yahoo.com

AVOID THESE SCAM ARTISTS! RRRRRRUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN From them!~

Here's my story:
I went to ALC on 4/1/09 and met with the "clinic manager" who sold me a pkg. of 6 laser treatments (w/the so called 2 year gurantee). I previously had 2 laser treatments at a doctor's office in Canada (and at a much lower price), but I didn't want to have to sit for hours to get back & forth across the boarder, so I thought I would use a local place even if it cost more). The clinic manager had me apply for a "MedChoice" revolving credit account that had 0% interest for a year. Anyhow, I went in on 5/1/09 for my 1st treatment. I was taken into the treatment room by the lady who was going to do the laser treatment. She said that she needed to ask me a few questions before hand because the clinic manager who sold me the package was FIRED because she did not adequately screen patients and some of them got burns/skin damage because they were taking photosensitive medications and were not good candidates. She asked me several questions, including was I taking any photosensitive medications. I told her YES, I was. She asked me if it was one that I could stop taking. I told her NO, absolutely not, it is a necessary medication and without it I suffer intense gut cramps and can't eat. (I tried that about 2 mos. ago because this medication made me gain weight. Within a few days the intense gut cramps started and it took me 2 weeks of doubling up the medication to recover). I also told her that I noticed some spots on my skin from the 2 previous laser treatments in Canada. I showed them to her and she said they were called "hyperpigmentation" which is skin damage caused from the laser. She said that because I can't get off the medication & already got hyperpigmentation from the laser that she could NOT perform the treatment on me and said she could "EMAIL" their medical advisors at headquarters about it, but thought it would be best for her to ask corporate/headquarters to process a refund for me. She asked me to call their ALC office on Mon 5/4/09 to check on the refund status. I spoke with another woman who accused me of not informing the clinic manager that I was taking photosensitive medication prior to purchasing the package and that if I did not go through with the treatments I would be charged a $300. cancellation fee (which is more than twice the 10% fee listed on the sales agreement). She said that she would "EMAIL" their medical advisors to see if it was ok to have the treatments while taking the medication. I called my pharmacist to ask if the dose of medication I'm taking was low enough that it would be ok to get the treatments. She said NO, it is NOT dose dependent. It is the fact that any amount of the medication is in my system that I am photosensitive and should NOT have any laser treatments. Later the lady at ALC called me back and said their ALC medical advisors said that if I could quit taking the mecidation 3 days before and 3 days after the treatment & get this in approved in writing by MY doctor, they would go ahead and do the treatments. I told her that there was NO WAY I was going to go off this medication and suffer for 2 weeks of agony until the levels got built back up in my system. Again she brought up the $300.00 cancellation fee, and I corrected her stating that the papers said 10%, but that it was not right to charge me this fee since I was not notified of a contraindication with my medication prior to purchasing the package. Then she went on about how long it takes to get a refund and how I'd better make payments to the credit card agency in the meantime. I told her that I'd already called MedChoice and put in a verbal dispute over the phone. They told me I didn't have to pay anything while this is in dispute. I looked at the back of my first bill from MedChoice that they said I could "disregard". Well in the fine print on the back it says that in order to preserve my dispute rights that they need to receive a dispute statement in writing sent to a certain department. So I wrote up a 3 page dispute letter and sent it by CERTIFIED MAIL today (it costs more but important to verify they received it). Then I did some internet research. I found that in my state (WA) there are laws written regarding the use of laser on humans. In WA they are the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Having worked in local government, I was familiar with the WAC & RCW's so I googled them up: WAC [protected], WAC [protected] & RCW 18.71.011. In essence, for my situation, what they say is that the use of laser (which penetrates human tissues) is considered practicing medicine and a person has to be licensed to practice medicine. In order to practice medicine under RCW 18.71.011 there must be a PHYSICIAN (MD) or PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT (PA) on the premises to do an examination, take a history, make an appropriate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. There was no one but myself and the "clinic manager" in the building at the time of my initial appt. and she was not an MD or PA, and was NOT licensed to practice medicine and therefore sell me the laser treatments. In addition the WAC's state that during the time of my initial treatment, an MD or PA MUST be "on the premises to be able to treat complications, provide consultation, or resolve problems if indicated". There was no one other than myself and the laser technician in the building at the time of my 1st visit for treatment. According to the WAC & RCW's they were in violation of the law both times I was there...no MD, PA, not even a nurse on site.

Next call was to the WA Dept. of Health which is in charge of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission who oversees medical providers. They sent me a COMPLAINT form which I filled out today, basically stating that ALC employees are practicing medicine without a license according to the WAC's and RCW's. I faxed the complaint form along with a complaint statement, my 3 page letter that was sent certified mail to MedChoice credit card address, and a copy of my "Treatment & Financial Agreement" signed by the clinic manager & her business card (which has no MD or PA title) . I also sent hard copies of the same in their pre-paid return envelope. My next steps are to contact ALC for their Claims department (I'm looking for their mailing address so I can send complaint & demand for refund by certified mail- if anyone has it please let me know!), contact Better Business Bureau, the WA State Attorney General (complaint about trying to charge a cancellation fee & practicing medicine w/o license), and contact the attorney who has been working on the ALC class action lawsuit. Here is a link to the attorney's website www.quatlaw.com/ so you can sign up for the class action lawsuit too. So far I have had no laser treatments at ALC and have not had to pay since I'm disputing the charges...but there's a balance on the credit card account and until that's completely removed through the dispute process and I'm assured I won't be charged any cancellation fees by ALC, I assume that I need to fight this debt aggressively until it's resolved. SO, I recommend you all do the same. Do a google search for your state laws regarding the use of lasers on human tissue, contact the proper authorities if an MD or PA is required to do an exam, take a history, etc. Submit a complaint to your Atty. General, contact the BBB, make WAVES! Fight Back! I'm thinking they don't know who's cage they rattled and they should have been nicer to me and just given me the damned refund (LOL).

I recently went to the American Laser Center in Weldon Spring Missouri. I did a web search for thermage for the eyes and somehow was directect to them. I filled out a form 5 minutes later a guy called me . I told him what my interest was he told me what they did was simular. I said whats the difference he said one was coke the other pepsi. so I made an appointment I was talked into 5 treatments 1500 . That was suppose to be my special deal. I did one treatment and was told I would have to come back the next month for the next 5 months. I said so this is going to take 5 months. Then I found a place that really does thermage. It only takes one treatment and the cost is less than 1000. 750 to be exact. Definetly not coke and pepsi. Anyway I said I would pay for the one treatment 500 is what I suggested but I want 1000 back. They won't give me a refund Can they force me to take sevices I don't want.

I used to work for ALC and Yes MS and VA are all owned by Melissa and Brian Horman. They are brother and sister who lied to the state of MD and VA that they are operation under required guideline ect... but the truth is they never -ever did. and will never will. They even have another brother /lawyer to write to clients and employees threatening letters to scare them off to prevent any refund or even any further action that anyone might plan to do so. They are so very nasty, heartless and money [censored] ### holes who will above all take your money and knowing that their employees were never trained and lied to the states about meeitng the states guidelines as well as to thier clients too. People these people should burn in hell and have the state crack down on them soon. Please stay away from ALC!

I charged my $2300.00 treatment on my America Express Card. America Express has a policy, that you have to be satisfied. So now, my America Express is fighting with ALC. I don't have to pay them. After 3 visits, which they were never on schedule or professional. They would be bull [censored]ing on phone for 20 minutes. My 3rd visit no one even showed up. I got there about 30 minutes early, thinking maybe I could get in and out sooner. I waited at the front door for another 30 minutes. Somebody finally showed up, with no key. She said she'd talked to someone and they'd be there with the key in about an hour. I said forget it, I've been standing here for an hour, I'm gone. The place sucks...

7 treatments on upper lip. NO results. now they say i have baby-fine (vellum) hair that can't be removed. Too bad they didn't tell me that $500 and six months before. I'm not done with them.

Less than a year ago, I decided that after having a baby, I would do something nice for myself. So, I started looking into Laser hair removal. Long story- Short... I signed up with American Laser Center in Columbia, SC.
I lived in Elgin but a 15 minute drive is not bad at all! They convinced me to open a care credit account. So, I charged $1700 to the care credit account. 2 weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant- AGAIN. OOPS.
They told me that they couldn't treat me until after having the baby. I had my son on April 2nd, and talked to someone in Customer Service last week... they pulled up my file and told me that I could start treatments ASAP, BUT- the Columbia office is no longer open. She then informed me that I could drive to the office in Mt. Pleasant, SC, 137 miles from my house; the Charlotte, NC office, 92.4 miles; or I could drive to the Greenville, SC office which is 115 miles away. So, I asked what I needed to do to break the contract and get a refund. I have NEVER had the 1st treatment! She told me that I have to drive to one of their offices to fill out the proper paper work, pay a $300 fee, and then wait 12 weeks or more for them to send the money back to Care Credit.
This is BS! I don't agree with any of what they are doing! Why should I have to drive 2 hours (EACH WAY) just to fill out paper work? And, why should I have to pay a $300 fee when they closed their office- and never even notified me?! What can I do about this?!

I had horrible experiences with American Laser Centers (ALC)and want to sue. I am in Los Angeles, CA. The clinic I went to has now shut down. They burned me and I never signed a consent form before the treatment. They said they'd fix if but of course they didn't. Anyone with any info about suing them and or a class action suit against them please e-mail me.

shantilly9@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Update on "Here's My Story" posted 13 days prior to this one. I'm still waiting for a reversal of charges to my MedChoice card.
Here's what I have done to take action against ALC so far:

1. I put in a dispute with MedChoice (by phone 5/4/09 & by certified mail on 5/5/09) over the charges. I was told & received a letter from MedChoice stating I do not have to pay while the matter is in dispute.
2. I sent an email message to "customerservice@americanlaser.com" on 5/13/09 & have NOT yet received a reply. (As you may have already guessed, ther is NO customer service from ALC).
3. I filed a complaint with the BBB on 5/15. It got forwarded to the BBB of Detroit & Eastern Michigan where the corporate office for ALC is. I received an email acknowledgement of my complaint & notification they have contacted ALC for their response. Their email states most complaints are resolved within 30 days. If you go to the BBB website and type in American Laser Centers, you will see that they are NOT a reputable company.
4. I filed a complaint with the FTC on 5/14/09 & I received an email acknowledgement of my complaint.
5. I filed a complaint with the Attorney General of WA State on 5/14/09. That same day I received a personal email response stating that they have contacted the business & requested a response to my complaint within 21 days. However, they note that normal complaint processint time is approximately 6-8 weeds due to the number & complexity of complaints received.
6. I emailed Ken Quat (kquat@quatlaw.com), the attorney who's website states he is handling the ALC class action lawsuit. Unfortunately I have not received a reply so I don't know what the status of the class action lawsuit is or if I would qualify to join the lawsuit. It may be best to call him at [protected]. His website is: http://www.quatlaw.com/class_action.html
Look under class action lawsuits and you will see that ALC is listed there.
7. I filed a written complaint (sent by fax & mail) with the WA State Dept. of Health, Quality Assurance Commission regarding ALC not following WA State laws by practicing medicine w/o a license (must have exam by MD or PA prior to recommendation for laser treatment & must have MD or PA on site for 1st treatment). I have not received a response yet.

I know it is a real pain to have to do all of these things. But, we can't let ALC get away with ripping us all off. We must take action and fight for our rights. I'll post an update later after I hear back from the above agencies.

Im a little confused, If you knew there was a no refund policy why did you sign up? I would not invest my money in something that I was not sure of?

How do I join this class action lawsuit? I've had laser hair removal done by them for almost 2 years and about 2, 500 dollars and alot of discomfort later with not much results !

Thanks,
Amy

I'm also interested in joining the class action lawsuit. I've lost count of my treatments, but my two-year guarantee is up in September. Maybe 40% hair loss AT BEST. I don't even necessarily want a refund: they can just give another hair removal company my $2800 to remove the hair that ALC failed to remove.

I just got screwed for the umteenth time by this fraudulent company. I bought a package three years ago for $3500. At the time it was described as unlimited treatements for my back until I was satisfied. The first two years I got almost no results and the technicians were horrible. One of them zapped the tattoo on my arm causing severe pain, burning on my arm, and a disfigurement of my tattoo. When I complained I was ignored. After two years of this rotten service they finally had a competent medical professional evaluate my chart and tell me that they were using the wrong type of laser for me. They changed me to another laser a year ago and finally I started getting results. I probably only need a few more treatments to get the results that they promised me but today a new manager who has never met me called me into her office after my treatment and without any introduction told me with attitude : "your treatment plan has expired." I was shocked and tried to discuss it with her but she just interrupted me and said that they only guarenteed me for two years and that I had gone well beyond that. I told her that was not what I was told and she snapped at me that I should pay more attention to what I sign. It was unreal. I then tried to tell her that I received two years of treatment from the wrong laser and she interrupted me again and said that she was not here then so could not discuss it and that I had just received my last treatment. Then she walked out of the door. I could not believe how rudely and dismissively I was treated. Bottome line is that I gave them $3500 and they did not deliver what they promised me and then just told me to get out. I was really a sucker to give them that much money when what I received from them was two years of painful treatments from the wrong laser, a burned arm, and then a rude brush off from an arrogant woman before they got it together and furnished the product that I had bought from them. DO NOT BE THEIR NEXT VICTIM!

I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER FOR OVER 2 YEARS.REMOVAL OF SUN DAMAGE AND HAIR REMOVAL.
I WAS TOLD THEY COULD GET RID OF BOTH.THEY LIED.NEITHER ARE GONE.I CONFRONTED THE
MANAGER AND WAS NOT TREATED WELL.THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICE TO PLEASE THE CUSTOMER
DOES NOT EXIST.ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS TO MEET THEIR MONTHLY QUOTA, AND GET YOUR
MONEY ANY WAY POSSIBLE.THEY WILL LIE AND TELL YOU ANYTHING TO SIGN YOU UP.
WHEN YOU COMPLAIN THEY TELL YOU THEY NEVER SAID THAT.ANYONE WHO SIGNS WITH
AMERICAN LASER IS CRAZY AND WILL BE SORRY.

GREAT NEWS! Today I FINALLY received a letter from MedChoice (credit card company for American Laser Centers) stating that "there was a mistake" and that the entire $1, 440.00 that ALC charged me for services not performed have been REVERSED and my balance is now $0.00.

To read about the steps I took to fight this charge see my original comments "Here's My Story" (56 days ago) and the "Update to Here's My Story" (43 days ago).

1. Putting in the dispute with MedChoice worked.
2. I never received any response or communication by email or otherwise from ALC
3. I believe that filing a complaint with the BBB was a very good thing. The BBB contacted ALC and the BBB forwarded an email response from ALC telling me that I would receive a FULL refund. I printed out the email and sent it to MedChoice with a letter. When I hadn't received a refund from ALC I contacted BBB again and notified that I hadn't received the refund and still wanted action. They contacted ALC again and the BBB forwarded me another email response from ALC stating that I would get the refund but that it was processing in their system. I printed out that email message, wrote another letter and sent it to MedChoice. I wanted MedChoice to know that ALC had told the BBB twice that they would give me the refund.
4. I didn't get any action from the FTC after filing a complaint with them, but perhaps they too contacted ALC and put on some heat.
5. I didn't receive much attention from the WA State Atty. General's office but they DID call ALC several times and perhaps this put ALC on edge.
6. I never received a response from Ken Quat at kquat@quatlaw.com
7. Although ALC did NOT have a physician or physician's assistant on site as required by WA State law, my complaint with WA State Dept. of Health, Quality Assurance Commission went nowhere. Perhaps their contacting ALC on my behalf put more heat on them, but this commission sent me a letter stating that ALC was in compliance and the case was closed.

So my advice is to fight the good fight. It worked for me. If you don't have the patience to contact as many agencies as I did, at least DISPUTE the charges with your credit card company and contact the BBB of Detroit & Eastern Michigan (a BBB complaint online automatically directs you to the correct BBB).

Good Luck Everyone!

if anyone know of a class action lawsuit agains ALC please let me know too.
They have burned my skin...no results and I am out of over $9000.
Could anyone help us?

I completely agree that American Laser Center you should shut down or change their deceitful ways! I went for a free consultation at the La Jolla, CA center and a couple days later scheduled and appointment. I then called a few days before my first appointment because I had to cancel due to some financial problems and was told by the manager that i couldn't cancel because I had already been financed! She was very rude and said she would call me back the next day because she was on her way out. She never did call. I was not aware I was signing up for a credit card...I soon found out when I received it in the mail! I am being charged for treatments I never received or plan to receive. What makes me more upset is that after complaining to customer care, the office manager calls me and tries to blame me for not "understanding" what the terms and conditions were! She never once told me she was signing me up for a credit card and I assumed I would review paperwork and sign once I went to my first appointment, which I never did.

Stay away from American Laser Centers!

If anyone has any advice please comment on this, I am still being charged even though I sent an refund request form a month ago!

You can cancel ANY contract within 3 days of agreement. I'd call Care Credit or whoever you got financed through and tell them you have not received any medical treatments and would like a "rescission of contract for services not rendered". If you have not received any treatments and asked for the contract to be terminated, you are entitled to it by law. Call the credit card place and stop dealing with ALC... it is the card company you need to deal with, not them.

I sent this to ALC today...I guess I will see if I ever get a response!

I have been having Laser Hair Removal done on my lip and chin at your location on Cascade Rd in Grand Rapids, MI.

I started treatment in February 2008 with the understanding that this treatment was so good most if not all of my hair would be removed before my wedding day in November 2008. Well it wasn't, I had to shave my face on my wedding day! Imagine my humiliation! Because this treatment has been paid off since at least April 2008, I decided to continue with treatment and hope it got better.

Around January 2009, I was put onto a new laser and was told that if I didn't notice a difference within 4 treatments I would get to consult with a nurse, on my fourth treatment, I mentioned to the technician that nothing had changed and that next appointment I would like to see the nurse as promised, she then informed me that the former technicians had only noted I had the new laser twice, which is wrong, I know that the same laser was used on me all 3 times to that point. She continued to tell me that I was wrong. So she noted my account that I was only to have the new laser. I have been getting treatments every 4 weeks since and have not seen any improvement (nor have I talked with a nurse), in fact a year and a half after starting treatment, I have new growth! Also, the technicians would ask me how much improvement I had seen, some would ask over the whole course of treatment, so I would say about 10-20%, they would then write down that it was only since my last treatment, making it appear as if I had improvement in 4 weeks, which was never the case!

I drive 2 hours roundtrip for my 10 minute appointments and can no longer justify it for not having seen a single result in about 11 months!

I am asking for a partial if not full refund, I still have black hairs on my face, that have been treated over and over again and have not improved, my face is constantly broke out from new hair growth (and every sore has a hair in the middle of it, that I can't get rid of, so they stay forever), I now have scars all over my chin from all of the acne.

I've spend thousands and have been going for over 2 years now and according to them when I signed up the hair removal was virtually painless and would take only 5 - 8 proceedures unless you are extreamly hairy. Well I'm not hairy at all and I can't count how many times I've went. As for pain? Well YES it hurts! Alot! I have a piercing and a tattoo and it hurts more! I'm done with being tortured and want it done. Well my last proceedure there as a new girl an it hurt more than ever...so bad I was shaking and told her to stop. Well she wanted to do a bit more and I let her and now I have burn marks all over my bikini line and some on my under arms. I was in the sun and I told her that but she asked if I had a bathing suit on and I said yes. Well she as going to stay in my tan lines and she didn't and now I have burns all over my bikini area even where I had my bathing suit on but where she went into the tanned area I have dark burn marks. Am I going to scar? As of this point I'm frustrated and feel ripped off! I'll never give them another dollar. As for the Vella smooth did work after going through serious pain and bad bruising. I could only go once a weeek cause the bruising was so bad. That was almost impossible to tolerate. But as soon as you quit it all comes back! Rip off unless you have money to blow and it's not painful. Anyhow I'm going to try to get some kind of compensation but we'll see.

I wish that I had known, I only found all these complaints just as I am so upset with ALC. I have called the main number to complain about the horrible customer service, they have been doing spot treatments on me(when I have paid for an entire area) just today I told the nurse that she only took 4 minutes to do what normally takes 15 minutes! and she said''OH I don't do spot treatments!'' I was so upset as there are soo many places that she didn't laser...ugg,
there is no where for me to complain, and while searching found this page. Is it too late for me? or can I get my money back?