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American Laser Center
Categories: Beauty and Spas Hair Removal Beauty and Spas Skin Care Hair Removal, Skin Care [Edit]
697 Cambridge St(between Dustin St & Rodney St)
Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 782-1285
- Nearest Transit:
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Cambridge St Opp Dustin St (193, 501, 51, 57, 66, 9701, 9702, 9703)
Cambridge St @ Dustin St (193, 501, 503, 51, 57, 57A, 66)
Cambridge St @ Warren St (193, 501, 51, 57, 66, 9701, 9702, 9703)
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for American Laser Center
8 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica F.
MA
Updated - 2/21/2010
I've been meaning to update this review forever!
Like I had initially said, I received a $1500 gift certificate that I used for laser hair removal under my arms, no money out of my pocket. At the initial consultation I was told it would take around 6 treatments, possibly more, to completely remove the hair. Things started out OK, and I did see a reduction in the amount of hair. But then I got a few inexperienced aestheticians and a few months with no progress. Fast forward 2 years (!), and I had probably 60% reduction and had already started on a second package (my mistake). I had them call me a couple of times to reschedule my appointments, which was no big deal except it does throw off the hair removal schedule. Then I needed to reschedule an appointment because I was starting a new job. I needed a weeknight or weekend, which I knew was a busy time. I got an appointment for 8:15pm about a week later but was also told that the time for my underarm treatments had expired and I could order another package at a discount. No way, I would just continue with the second package I had purchased. I was about a year into that package. So I showed up and was then told that I was scheduled for 8:15 that morning when I specifically told them the reason I needed to reschedule was because I could not longer make morning appointments. The girl at the desk was very nice and told me to call the manager first thing in the morning. I did and left a voice message explaining their mistake and I was then told that it didn't matter, they were still going to charge me a $35 missed appointment fee. I never complained the two times my appointments were re-scheduled last minute and I was really annoyed at the way I was being treated. I never rescheduled the appointment and I have not been back since.
If you are interested in hair removal, go to a dermatologist and get a recommendation from them before going to any of the "spa shops."1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/7/2007
A few months ago I would have given this office 3 stars because they were so disorganized, but they… Read more »
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Review from Paul I.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2006
These guys have a contest on their website that every person who enters will win- you'll at least win 3rd prize. (really, check the details)
So then you go in for a 'free consultation' which is really just a high-pressure strongarm sales pitch. It's one of the more uncomfortable situations I've been in.
Prices for guys range from $2000 for the chest to $7000 for the nether regions. They're willing to discount 50% pretty easily, which doesn't say much about transparency or a competitive pricing structure.
They have locations all over the country.
Avoid these people like the plague. -
Review from Bridget M.
Santa Monica, CA
1/3/2008
Sketchy, Sketchy, Sketchy. All around Sketch. Sketchtastic.
I went in there because I "won" some package off of a "contest" that they were holding via the Daily Candy email thing, which was really just a scam to get me in there so they could sell me (and other people as the women scheduled both before and after me had also "won" the contest - what an amazing shock) a much more expensive package and started offering me things i was not interested in like facial rejuvenation. Which was extra annoying because whenever I've had a facial or something done, I've always had the aestheticion tell me what good shape my skin is in for someone my age. (i'm not bragging here, I'm just always surprised because I'm wicked pale and I smoke...but i do moisturize and wear sunblock so go me i guess. And I'm only 29 so I would hope my skin didn't need to be "rejuvenated" yet anyway)
The space was divey, they gave me a ridiculously hard sell, didn't listen to the questions I was asking, and kept telling me how they were a sponsor for the Olympic Soccer team. Hooray.
I didn't have anything done because of one main reason (aside from the fact I was pissed off that this contest thing was obviously a scam): THERE ARE NO DOCTORS OR NURSES ON SITE. EVER.
That's pretty messed up when you're dealing with lasers and skin, whether it be for hair removal, tattoo removal, facial rejuvenation or anything. It's still a medical procedure, people do sometimes react to laser treatments or the topical anesthetics, and the fact that there are no seriously trained medical personnel on site really really bothered me.
If you want some sort of laser treatment, talk to your dermatologist. I know that B&W and Beth Israel both have their own laser centers where there are medical personnel on site who have gone through much more rigorous training, have better equipment and cleanliness standards, and will all around provide you with a safer experience than chain places like this.Listed in: Hall of Shame, Getting Your Pretty On
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Review from Meredith K.
Somerville, MA
2/2/2010
I haven't actually "done" business with these people, but I am so irritated with their practices I must say something.
2 (maybe 3) weeks ago they were at the BSC in Davis Sq. with a contest to win some free laser hair removal. Ok that's cool, whatever. I signed up.
Well they have called me 4x a week since to offer me a "$300 coupon". I mean really F'n stop! I don't want your $300 coupon - and it seems from the reviews on Yelp and all over the web - all you DO is give $300 coupons to EVERYONE - so it's not really a deal. Just knock your prices down by $300 bucks and be done with it.
But seriously. Giving you my phone number for a contest does not give you the right to call be every freaking day for weeks on end. Stop! I don't want your service after feeling harassed and seeing all the negative feedback around the web about your company and it's shady practices. I'll take my business to a local business with a good reputation. -
Review from Gen M.
Cambridge, MA
9/17/2009
If I could give them negative 3 stars, I would.
I "won" something, as other reviewers said, and I came in for a consultation. Kate, the former manager, was horrible. She LIED to me outright saying that they guarantee hair removal and if it's still there within the 2 year guarantee, I am entitled to my money back. And of course, my hair was still there (I signed up for a bikini treatment and then later got roped into the legs).
The new manager said that they fired her for unfair business practices and lying to customers. I thought I could be offered additional laser treatments on my bikini line since she TOTALLY lied and the entire organization seems to be run so rigidly and in such a disorganized way that that's the LEAST they can do for all the disgruntled customers they have. Instead the new manager said that I was done with my 2 year guarantee and I would have to pay for new visits and of course started throwing out these "low" prices at me. And they say that they got the new equipment which should work better and therefore will get me better results. You know what? I don't trust you anymore!
THEY ALWAYS say that the previous deal you got was such a low-ball impossible deal, I should thank the good lord for it. They always PUSH other services on you and then get rude if you opt against them. I am only going there because I am roped in for the legs treatment for at least 2 more years.
The fee for missing/late appointments -- $75 now. They do call a day before BUT not 24 hours before (since that's the cut off when you can cancel without the fee). They call like 23 hours before and they are all set now. Jerks! I dislike them so much, I hate it every time I show up at that place.
I am VERY convinced that any 4 or 5 star reviews that they have are totally fake. DO NOT GO to American Laser Centers at all. Just keep shaving or use Veet or something. They're the worst. -
Review from Dara M.
New York, NY
Updated - 4/25/2010
This is an update to a previous review of mine. The treatments still don't work two years later, but I managed to convince the owner to reduce the re-scheduling fee down to $30 instead of $75.
If I didn't already pay them all the money upfront, I'd never return.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/23/2009
I've had 6 treatments and no results at all whatsoever.
I had an appointment today, and realized I… Read more »
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Review from EricaLynn J.
Oaklyn, NJ
1/20/2009
My experience - which was just a consultation - at this American Laser Center was one of the absolute worst in my life. First, the office looks rundown, dirty, and miserable. Kind of depressing. I was greeted by a receptionist who didn't show a whole lot of emotion; just gave me a clipboard with lots of questions on it and a pen and told me to sit and wait. I then come to find out that the same receptionist also is one of the technicians. In fact, everyone seems to job-share: you can answer phones, make appointments, do hair removal, and facial treatments all in one convenient job description.
My actual consultation was an emotional trainwreck. I have had laser work done before, just in a different state, so I wanted to continue my treatments closer to home now that I was a Massachusetts resident. I was used to high prices and knew exactly what to expect as far as pain or discomfort, so those were not questions that I felt warranted much discussion during my consultation. Essentially, I came in as an experienced customer, and I think that made them nervous.
The woman with whom I met, who later on let me know that she'd also do treatments (alongside the other receptionist) was incredibly rude. She insisted that everybody needs to shave the areas they wished to have treated prior to their appointment, and if it did not meet their standards, they'd shave for you. Only problem is, not everybody is getting hair removal on inconspicuous places where stubble is acceptable. I outright told her that I refused to shave my face. I work in a law firm where I meet with clients and attorneys on a constant basis, and I was not at all comfortable with having a face full of stubble for weeks at a time in between treatments, which she mentioned could be "years worth". Upon further queries, I realized that she had absolutely no idea what she was doing, and was just trying to get me to sign up for as many treatments as possible so they could make a buck. Laser treatments are a little bit too serious for me to be just another notation on their client list.
I graciously thanked her for her time and she handed me a brochure, and as I was walking out, the original receptionist came over to me and voluntarily told me about all the treatments that she had there, and that they were wonderful and successful and she's so happy. Great. She then asked me to feel her arms, I'm guessing hairless due to her laser treatments. I promptly declined. She continued to push and I think at that point I just briskly walked out the door, losing a bit of faith for the laser world for the time being.
I mulled over the brochure later on just to see what I would have gotten myself into had I not known the right things to ask and been less educated on the process, and was stunned to see that the brochure had very little pertinent information on it and was more just a list of locations of other American Laser Centers in the area and beyond, as well as pictures of people smiling and enjoying life. Tucked away in the back was a small disclaimer that essentially said that if you choose to start laser treatments with American Laser Center, you would not be able to go anywhere else, as apparently they have a "special" machine, and anyone else's treatments would do a ton of damage to you if you have already used American Laser Centers' machines. Whoa. That brochure quickly made its way into my wastebasket. This company is sketchy. Stay far away. -
Review from Malena L.
Cambridge, MA
3/5/2009
Enough is enough!!!
I'm tired of American Laser's customer service. If I had known this is what I was going to have to go through for the following years, I would not have paid in full for the services I requested back in 2006.
I have been going to the Brighton location in Massachusetts since 2006 and the type of customer service that American Laser offers is a nightmare. A friend and I decided to go with this company, because it was everywhere and it seemed like a serious business. Unfortunately, at the time, we didn't really know much about it and its referral policy, so I didn't get those benefits and we both went our separate ways without communicating. When we first talked about our visits, that's when it all began: American Laser is, to start with, a SCAM. We were offered the same services at different stratospheric prices. Then, depending on our bargaining techniques/financial situation/how in need the company was of our business, we were offered different "discounted" prices for the same services!!! So, if you are shy and don't know better, you could be charged $5000 for a service that, if you are a bit riskier, you would have got for $500.
Then, came their then manager, Kate. She was the most horrible person I have ever met: I arrived to an appointment once that I guess wasn't on their books. When I flashed my appointment card, she said "you are lucky you have that [card]; we are never wrong". She called customers retarded and dumb when they were trying to arrange appointments over the phone with other technicians. She got into fights with the building people in front of me and she, several times, yelled at me when programming appointments, etc.
They fired her and I thought things would get better, but they continue to have terrible service: they stopped their confirmation call the day before your appointment (my theory is that this is so that you miss it and pay their stupid $35 no-show fee). They'll lie about what slots are available, even when you are staring at their schedules (after 6 treatments, you are under a 2 year warranty, so any way to delay your treatments they'll take advantage of it). They supposedly have this new chiller equipment that allows for no double-pass and they've used it as an excuse to not give double-passes with all equipment (sans chiller). TOTAL RIP OFF. Finally, 2 weeks ago, I arrived 15 mins late for an appointment and they charged me the NO-SHOW fee, because there "wouldn't be enough time". I've had that procedure done in 10mins! Oh, but they are always late for your appointments when you arrive on time. It makes absolutely no sense!
After 3 years of attending American Laser, I finally filed a complaint. They told me I would hear back in 3 business days. A WEEK AND A HALF went by without getting an answer. I finally got a call from the Brighton location, just to tell me that the $35 stood and that if I didn't cover it, I couldn't attend the appointments. Appointments, mind you, that I had already paid for.
AVOID AMERICAN LASERS LIKE THE PLAGUE. This is not customer service, it's ABUSE.
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Did I mention they get super pushy once your warranty time is over? They lie about how prices are really low or how they are getting you some massive discount. It's the most unethical company I have ever dealt with and I'm stuck with them until my warranty time runs out.
