A Bark! Above the Rest

If zero stars were an option, that’s what they would actually get. I called yesterday to try and make a last minute appointment for my dog to be groomed either today or tomorrow after I had called a few other places and they were booked. To my surprise they could fit me in today and even had a couple times I could pick from. As I’m a night shift nurse, I naturally went with the 2pm option. As I pulled up, I had a small moment of regret as I remembered this place distinctly from about a year and a half ago. I had bought a groupon for boarding, and after over a week of trying to contact them, I finally was able to book my girl for a 2 night stay. The morning of her drop off, there was no one at the shop. And it said closed. After trying multiple times, I couldn’t get ahold of anyone. I ended up having to have her stay with family because it was so last minute I couldn’t get her boarded anywhere else.
However, today I thought. Maybe they’re under new ownership? Or maybe they’ve gotten their act together? So, I reluctantly pulled in and saw the all too familiar «closed sign.» As it was 1:50 pm and my appointment wasn’t for 10 minutes, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and waited just in case they had stepped out. At 2:10 I left, after several failed phone call attempts and no sign of life in the shop.
This is a terrible business. What are the odds that the exact same thing happens to me 18 months apart? That is no fluke. This is more than likely par for the course as far as their business is concerned.
Ended up having to try and rebook grooming and ended up going with petsmart, which I was trying to avoid as I find them overpriced and wanted to support a local shop. I guess I’ll pay extra because at least I know someone will be there when I show up for my appointment.