CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Grooming => Topic started by: *Jay* on August 04, 2006, 02:41:43 PM
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Vegas and Dallas went off to a new groomers today . At lunchtime I got a phonecall saying that the type of cut I requested couldn't be done and they would have to be completely clipped off :o Obviously I said no way, just bring them back only to be told they had already been done :'( :'( I feel so silly getting all upset over a dogs haircut but the thought of a scalped orange roan is literally bringing tears to my eyes. Because Vegas is so tall he is going to look stupid and because he has also been neutered, I'm not sure how his coat will grow back this time :-\ If feathering is clipped off only once, is there hope for restoring it once the hair starts to grow back? At the moment I just have images of how Brook's coat used to grow back but he got completely clipped off all the time so his feathering lost all definition and he became one big fluffball. In a way I'm glad I got the warning but I am dreading seeing them tonight ph34r
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Oh no... why on earth did they only phone you AFTER they'd done it??! >:( >:( I'd be going mad at them if I were you.
They won't look stupid though, they'll still be gorgeous and at least they'll be cool if August turns out to be another scorcher! :luv:
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Oh mate - what a nightmare :o :o :o
I have no advice on the technicalities of coat re-growth as I dont have a bloody clue but just wanted to comiserate :'( :'( I too would be upset about it. I cant believe they just went ahead and did such a drastic cut especially after you'd specifically requested the type of cut you wanted >:( >:( >:( I assume you wont be going back there then???
Whatever's happened to their coats they'll still be gorgeous :luv: :luv: :luv: and they dont care how they look - I started grooming Daisy 3 days ago and the phone rang -she's walked round with one groomed paw ever since I may get round to giving her a matching set by the end of the weekend ph34r :005: :005:
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Oh no! I'm so sorry... I'm sure it won't be as bad as you're imagining...
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thats awful,they should have consulted you before going ahead and cutting it all off >:D!I agree they do look awful scalped but it really wont take that long to grow and I have clipped many neutered cockers and still retained a "show look" feathering and all :luv:, find a good groomer that knows how to use thinning scissors and has a good knowledge of a cockers traditional shape before your next trim is due and good luck(also it might help to take with you some pictures of what your after)x
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OMG what a nightmare.... so I take it they tried to do what you asked - and messed it up - so decided they ought to clip the whole lot off ? I hope you won't be paying for this >:D I'd be mad as hell tbh....
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Oh bloody hell, poor you, I would freak too Gill and be as upset as you so I don't think you are being silly ;) I'm with Penel I wouldn't be paying either >:(
They are still your georgous boys :luv: even if they have been scalped :'( it'll take a while to get used to it though I'm sure :-\
What was their reason for the cut you had requested not being done? Seems a little strange :-\
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I think they must have screwd it up. Don't pay, I was mad when Ham got clipped but it was my fault for not being too specific. I can't believe thy phoned you AFTER! >:D
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OMG what a nightmare.... so I take it they tried to do what you asked - and messed it up - so decided they ought to clip the whole lot off ? I hope you won't be paying for this >:D I'd be mad as hell tbh....
I agree entirely - it sounds to me like they bodged it and had to cover their mistake >:(
Not only would I not be paying them, I would submit a formal complaint to the busines owner (not always the person doing the grooming ::)) and contacting the British Dog Groomers Association (http://www.petcare.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=94) if they were unwilling/unable to make amends (assuming the groomer is a member) :-\
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Sorry to hear that happened Gill. i remember when I took Jazz for her first cut, and asked for her to try and strip her. There was no way she was stripped she was cut right back. I hated it.
I couldn't even look at her without feeling gutted. But it grew back quickly, and she soon started to look 'normal' again. I have to say I would be livid.
Jazz had been speyed at this time and i was really worried, but she was fed on burns and had a f ine coat. luckily it grew back fine and still is.
I would like to say though , its taken 18 months to get her looking more how i wanted her in the first place. He skirt around her side bit is only now at a decent length.
I hope things are ok this evening.
Don't let Disney and Aspen, take the micky out of them..
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No profound words of wisdom or advice I'm afraid.
Can imagine how you are feeling, I would be gutted too. :-\ and I agree with the others about paying. Don't pay them and don't ever take them back >:(
I'm sure they still look as gorgeous as ever :luv: :luv:
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Well I wish I'd read this thread before I parted with my £50 ph34r It didn't occur to me not to pay. Vegas doesn't look as bad as I feared he would and they have at least kept the feathering on his ears. Dallas on the other hand has been scalped to within an inch of his life, including ears :huh: I will post a couple of pics tomorrow to give you all a good giggle ph34r
I really don't know why they clipped them off completely, I was too stunned to ask. I would have understood if their coats were badly matted but they weren't. I think I will write a letter to let them know how unhappy I am
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Gill,
Please do write to the owner, and ask for a refund. copy in the assoc Rachel mentioned.
At least its not been that bad, but you really should have to pay for something you are unhappy with.
Did they explain there reason...?
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Thats really made my mind up, I am going to do Kalli myself ph34r. At least I've only got me to blame if it goes wrong. :005:
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Just read this Gill. How dare they take your money! >:(
Do post piccies, then we can all be as mad as you are.
I am sure they will grow back in time, and agree that they might actually enjoy the lighter look if it gets blisteringly hot again. But, honestly, I can't believe they did this and phoned you AFTER.
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Oh Gill, I've just caught this. I can't believe that they did it in the first place and then phoned you after. >:D I agree with the others, the must have bodged it up and then decided to shave them. Definitely write to them to complain and ask for your money back.
I certainly don't think you are silly, I would have been very upset and then very angry.
I'm definitely going to do Barney myself after all the horror stories. I do know a good groomers though, but I've signed up for a workshop to learn how to groom him myself properly.
I would be interested to see what they did to your poor boys. I can't offer any advice about it growing back, I truely am a novice. ;)
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gill thats awful,i can't believe they even took your money,how dare they >:(
i would have been very upset too
i think your story has been a warning to those of us who have not yet visited the groomers ;)
I'm definitely going to do Barney myself after all the horror stories. I do know a good groomers though, but I've signed up for a workshop to learn how to groom him myself properly.
thats a great idea sam,how did you find the workshop,i know i don't live near you but would be interested if there were any run round here ;)
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Oh Gill what a shame. I know how you feel. The very first time we got Sam done I really did not know what to ask for and just rather stupidly thought they would give him a "bog standard cocker spaniel cut!!" He was shaved too. This corresponded with the first COL meet we ever went on. I felt really ill the whole time when I looked at all the other dogs then looked at my poor Sam.
I am always really wary now when he is cut. In fact I think the best way of describing what he gets is a bath and a trim. I mostly try and do him myself now and no I am not very good at it and he hates it and rolls about all over the place. I do a tiny bit of him every other day - keeps the knots out but he is still a bit of a scruff!!!!
I suppose the good thing is that it does grow back really quickly and in a few weeks they are fine.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/brovegdal/scalped_vegas.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/brovegdal/scalped_dallas.jpg)
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Now that's what I call a haircut :o >:D Gill I'd be furious and definately ask for my money back. Looking at it on a positive note at least its been done properly by someone who must have known how to shave a dog and not a 'junior' who was let loose for the first time. At least when it grows back its going to be 'even' all round.
I'm too much of a novice to give any real advice sorry :D ph34r
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Poor you, I know how this feels. Blue's first grooming session was a disaster. He has been cut again but am not happy with his paws ! ;)
We are seriously considering doing it ourselves and therefore will be posting tons of questions on the grooming threads !
Got to say though that it does grow back quickly
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OMG! What were they thinking? :o :o Even for a working cocker that is a bit severe! I'm surprised they left the ears long on Vegas. And the boys don't look very happy either in those photos.
Sorry. That probably didn't make you feel any better at all. ph34r
So, as my friend at school said to me the day after my mum had cut my hair, at least it will grow again! :blink:
PS - I'd definitely go for a refund as it is nothing like what you asked for. >:(
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How much of a mistake can someone make that would mean clipping that much off :o.
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OMG Gill, poor you - I think they need to give you extra cuddles to make up for it ;)
I'm sure they don't mind too much although it will probably be a bit strange for them the first few days - can I just ask, what is the deal with Vegas' ears?? Presumably, they hadn't got round to doing those when they phoned you :huh: ::)
Thank goodness it's summer, at least the boys won't be too cold - I hope your letter gets you some form of recompense - I would copy this thread to them too - to show them the kind of negative publicity they have got :-\
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I am no expert on grooming, I admit I personally prefer a minimum of interference with the cut of a dogs natural coat.
If these were my dogs then I would be asking for my money back AND compensation. What if you had intended to show them this year??? They deserve bad publicity if that is typical of what they do to beautiful cockers. To do that against your instructions, without asking first, is in my view totally out of order, -and to then expect you to pay for it :o is simply adding insult to injury. Name and shame them that's what I say....
Oh Gill, everyone is right, the dogs wont mind, once they get used to it and ultimately that is the most important thing. They will be happier in this hot weather, and probably quite bouncy as a result.
I am sorry that I'm not feeling particularly tactful today, but incompetence really makes me mad... >:(
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Oh dear Gill - bet you felt like crying when you saw them :-\ This has to be one lazy groomer - whoever did this didn't even use a clipping blade suitable for a Cocker but has gone for what looks like a #10 all over and then had the cheek to charge you £25 each for something that would have taken no time at all :o At least hair grows quickly and they will look a bit more dignified in a couple of weeks ;)
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Go and stick enlarged prints of your newly groomed pooches on the outside of their door. They'll be delighted with all the extra business it will bring in....
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Go and stick enlarged prints of your newly groomed pooches on the outside of their door. They'll be delighted with all the extra business it will bring in....
I agree with Happydog ! They can't be allowed to get away with this Gill, but don't worry too much I'm sure they'll look better in a week or two.
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:luv:
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OH, what a shame, but as everyone has said it will grow back.
If it is any conscolation (sp) my hubby once clipped our springer himself and she was pink >:( with all her little teats hanging she looked b****y awful and nobody wanted to walk her for a week until the pink bits had gone, she had to go walkies under the cover of darkness, so at least yours aren't that bad. Needless to say the clippers have now been confined to the bin and hubby has had strict instructions not to come anywhere near my babies with any sort of cutting implements , even the nail clippers. :005:
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OMG >:D >:D >:D well I'm glad the weather is warm for the poor wee souls ;)
I agree 25 quid each for a zoom with the clippers is outrages! Bloomin heck, my breeder charges 15 quid and she keeps cockers coats as they are meant to be........well when I say meant I mean how we like them to be ;)
No advice really except to write a stinking letter and NEVER EVER use those groomers again ( like I need to say that!!!), and make sure no one else does either!!!! :005:
What I don't understand is how they can have mucked up I mean I'm sure we've all cut bits of our cockers ( even the proffessionals amongst us I'm sure!!) and thought OOOps!! But I've never made such a drastic mistake I've felt the need to zoom them with the clippers!?!?!?!! >:( >:( >:(
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OMG your poor doggies. I am no expert but even I can see that its just wrong wrong wrong! Insist on a refund >:D
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I have to say I'm totally gobsmacked Gill :o
I'd have been absolutely furious >:D Poor little mites, thank goodness it's summer. Lottie would die for a haircut like that at the moment, she hates this hot weather and she's now in season too so she's not a happy bunny :-\
Within a few weeks I'm sure they'll both be fluffballs but haven't a clue how it will effect their coats :huh: Fingers crossed they'll be back to normal soon ;)
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Oh my god ph34r - Gill you HAVE to get your money back! I mean how on earth can they think that's acceptable, have these people ever seen a cocker spaniel?! >:D
I'd be absolutely furious - and look at their poor little faces, they even look upset themselves! :'(
I've fortunately never had anything like as bad as an experience as this with Bella but the 3 times I took her to "professional groomers", only one of them knew what they were doing, and the next time I took Bella back to her she shot her tail between her legs and had to be dragged in. So I'm now doing her myself, have just done my first proper clipping job on her, I'll post photos later but even I can do a better job than those groomers Gill!
Outrageous.... ph34r
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jeee thats one bad groomer, obviously no expreience of cockers. I really can't understand why you handed over £50. But i guess it will grow back.
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I gave Lottie a trim in two sessions of ten minutes a few weeks back as she's finally developed a bit of a coat at 6 years old, her ears need to be worked on but the feet and feathering are done and if I can do it it can't be that difficult.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v286/eclipse12/HPIM0766.jpg
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Gill, I really wouldn't let this lie and take it all the way. I would even write to Trading Standards. I'm sorry, but I think what they have done is absolutely disgraceful. >:( You have not received the standard of service that you have paid for and expected, personally I don't even think they should call themselves groomers. >:D
I'm no expert at grooming but imo Vegas doesn't even look as if he has been clipped well :-\ He has tufts on the back of his legs :huh:
It will grow back, and in a couple of weeks, they will already look so much better, and they will feel the benefit with the warm weather :-\
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I have to agree with Elisa, I would take the matter further, especially since they had clipped the dogs before asking you.
It may have been that you intended showing the dogs, you would have been really stuck then. I feel so sorry for you. Even though we haven't got our dog yet i have been sourcing groomers and have been quoted £20 to have a cocker handstripped so £25 for this is ridiculous >:(
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I don't want to upset anyone, but I am totally speechless. Bless them.
I would have totally lost the plot.
Did they give a reason Gill?
On a lighter note... they won't have any problems atracting the ladies... ;) :005:
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Poor Gill.......I'm so upset for you.
As the others have said it will grow back but it's totally infuriating that you've taken them to a professional groomer where you would expect a professional job to be done. I would certainly complain & insist on my money being refunded at the very least.
Having read the grooming threads on COL it's made me all the more determined to trim Domino myself as quite a few of these groomers seem to be far too fond of clipping everything off regardless!! ;)
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O dear Gill, I gasped when I looked at the photos. Hope you don't let them away with it. You must tell me what groomers you used so I stay well clear of them ;)
On a happier note, I had to get Bailey (who's castrated) clipped short before his operations last year and his feathers grew back nice and straight ;)
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Gotta say Gill, your cockers are in cracking shape! My vet would LOVE those two. Betty would look like a right chunk next to 'em!
Betty got scalped once at a groomers, what they call a 'cocker cut'. When I picked her up, I didnt say anything, just paid and fled the scene, chicken I know, but I was gobsmacked, and quite devistated. Her hair grew back in no time, but alot curlier, she had these kinda flicky bits sticking out all over.
Now have a fab groomer who listens to what I ask for, and shes got her lookin great again!
Just enjoy the hastle free walks for the next few weeks! No twig, leaf, sticky bud, dried on mud removal required!
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On a happier note, I had to get Bailey (who's castrated) clipped short before his operations last year and his feathers grew back nice and straight ;)
Thats what I want to hear so I'll keep that thought in my head to get me through the trauma :lol: :lol:
I hope it starts to grow back quickly as the tufty bits around Dally's ding-a-ling makes it stand it out even more ph34r When I write the letter I will ask for an explanation (as well as my money back!!) as I specifically requested that the feathering get kept, it would just need tidied up and shortened a bit. I could have scalped them myself ::) I keep finding tufty bits here and there so am tidying them up as I go.
Thanks guys - glad to know I'm not overreacting. I just wish I'd said something at the time but you live and learn ::)
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I'm so sorry Gill, anything I say will be totally negative so I'll just agree with the others
Get that letter written asap AND demand a fuller explanation
They'll be more comfortable if we get another hot spell
and IT WILL grow back.
On a lighter note... they won't have any problems atracting the ladies... ;) :005:
My thoughts exactly Cathy, but unlike you I didn't have the bottle to say it :005:
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oh my word - even though they are 'light on hair' at the moment your kids are still very gorgeous.
claire & Ind x
ps - how's the letter going ...?
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Sorry Gill only just caught up with this. First your boys are stunning second report them get your money back and hope to goodness they don't do this to any one else's spaniel. How on earth they had the nerve to charge you is way beyond belief. Like others have said it will be nice and cool in this weather. When i used to have Henry clipped we always said he went in looking like a sheep and came out looking like a goat 9but with feathering). :005:
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omg!
I've only just seen this thread and I have to say I can't blame you for being upset, I gasped when I scrolled down to the pics, they'd have known I wasn't happy if I'd collected them because I would have literally bawled my eyes out there and then.
When Bella had her first 'trim' I cried when hubby brought her home and in comparison she still had lots of hair, she just didn't look like my Bella anymore and for a few hours I have to admit I couldn't even look at her ph34r
I'd be really upset if they'd done that to me, don't let them get away with that, it's awful, a bad haircut would be bad enough but there is no excuse to scalp them like that, how can they call themselves professional groomers? Sorry if that all sounds harsh, your story has really wound me up >:(
The good news is that it will grow back and if they're anything like Bella it will grow really quickly. Bella soon looked 'normal' again and I no longer let my groomer do her head (I do it myself when she comes home) but don't let it lie, I would expect a refund PLUS compensation and make sure everyone you know locally with a dog hears about this and doesn't use them.
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Gill, you most certainly are not over reacting. ph34r
I can only agree with everyone else, I was really shocked. :o
Definitely strong letter, refund and I really would tell them you want some compensation, and I don't mean a free grooming session. ;) ph34r
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I'm definitely going to do Barney myself after all the horror stories. I do know a good groomers though, but I've signed up for a workshop to learn how to groom him myself properly.
thats a great idea sam,how did you find the workshop,i know i don't live near you but would be interested if there were any run round here ;)
I'm going to a workshop at MyPetStop in Leeds. There is one in Manchester, which would be closer to you. If its within travelling distance for you I'd ring and ask them if they hold grooming courses there too.
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Just caught up with this.
I'm so sorry for what they have done to your beautiful doggies!
I wonder - have you used these groomers before or was this a first time?
Good luck with the letter - please post their reply on here - I'm sure it will be interesting!
>:D >:D
Crafty Sam - I'll be in touch with My Pet Stop later regarding their grooming class! Thanks for the hint.
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The pics are as I expected :'( I would be livid >:D
Poor you :'(
Make sure that letter is very very strong >:(
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OMG Gill - I would have cried I think!
Jessie is clipped but they leave her feathering on her ears, skirt, legs etc....I am always a little disappointed as she doesnt look like the show dogs I see on here but at least she looks like a pet cocker!
Well the sun is here so they should feel a bit cool but be careful they spend too much time in the sun as they dont have the long hair to protect their skin now.
Make sure you get your money back and make sure other cocker owners avois this place!
JAne
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The pics are as I expected :'( I would be livid >:D
Poor you :'(
Make sure that letter is very very strong >:(
Tell them that if you had wanted a cut like that you would have taken them to a sheep shearer. My local sheep farmer employs a sheep shearer that could have done a better job, and I bet he doesn't charge £25 per sheep either. >:(
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I'm definitely going to do Barney myself after all the horror stories. I do know a good groomers though, but I've signed up for a workshop to learn how to groom him myself properly.
thats a great idea sam,how did you find the workshop,i know i don't live near you but would be interested if there were any run round here ;)
I'm going to a workshop at MyPetStop in Leeds. There is one in Manchester, which would be closer to you. If its within travelling distance for you I'd ring and ask them if they hold grooming courses there too.
thanks sam, ;)
will give them a ring tomorrow.manchester isn't too far away so could easily do the trip,certainly after gills experience with groomers
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Just seen this Gill - sending you a big hug. Hope you get a satisfactory explanation!!
My friends blue roan Harvey was clipped off like this - owner was mortified at the time then enjoyed the freedom from grooming for a while ph34r Harvey's coat grew back ok.
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Hi again Gill, I've just posted some pics on a new thread 'not all groomers scalp' with some pics of george a cocker i clip short on the back but with longer feathering and I don't think he looks too shabby!So please don't worry about your two they are still beautiful and before long they will need another de fuzzing but please do shop around and ask if a groomer has a portfolio I know a lot do keep them as reference to their own style , Nicky x
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I've been offline for a few days and I have to say I am stunned. ph34r I would be furious too. My Pepsi has an awfully thick coat and as she's been swimming a lot lately she was got a couple of matts and is going to the groomers next week for a trim - if she comes out looking like that the groomer won't get paid. On the plus side they will be cooler if the weather hots up and it if they are anything like Pepsi it will grow back qickly.
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Blimey, Gill: thems is two mighty pi**ed off looking spaniels, and I don't blame them. The phrases you're looking for are:
1. failure to follow instructions or to get proper advance authority for deviating from those instructions - so services not supplied as being of a satisfactory quality; and
2. lack of reasonable care and skill in carrying out the grooming services.
Ask for your money back, and say that "I am expressly reserving my position with regard to seeking reimbursement of any further costs incurred for remedial grooming required as a result of potentially long-term coat problems due to such inappropriate treatment.".
Finally - as well as threatening them with Trading Standards, consider whether to get in touch with your local paper if you really feel like getting even - a couple of piccies should do the trick for their business, especially if you've got some cutesome "before" piccies....
Man, I'm so mad on your behalf!
Denise >:D >:D >:D
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Oh my... I just caught up with this again :o :o
I agree with everyone else - you're most definitely not overreacting and it's absolutely disgraceful that they had the cheek to charge you for that as well, the pure brass neck of them! :o >:( >:(
They will be lovely and cool though and as mentioned, the ladies must be well impressed! ;) :005:
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Just wondered Gill - have you written the letter yet?
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Just wondered Gill - have you written the letter yet?
Me too.
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Sent it last week but haven't heard anything yet ::)
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Well done. I was beginning to think you might have "gone off the boil". Glad you haven't!
Hope you hear from them soon. Give it another week or so and follow up with another letter and/or a phone call. If that fails, then think of moving your campaign up a gear!
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Full refund came in the post this morning ;) I got an apology but no explanation as to why I wasn't consulted beforehand ::)
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That's rubbish - what are you going to do?
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Well, I was going to take the money and run ph34r :lol: :lol:
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dont feel bad Gill, your dogs will be really comfy in this humid weather.Im crap at complaining too, It will be easier to write it all down when youve had time to calm down and get over the shock.Youre dogs are lovely and Im sure their coats will be back to normal in no time at all.
I think as a nation we british are hopeless when it comes to complaining.
I saw a programme about it on the telly.
well Just be sure to pass the word around locally and Im sure that particular groomer will soon feel the effect.
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I have to agree with Jean - we do get all irate and then cool down after a period of time don't we?
Last week someone hit our car in traffic and drove off. I was incensed at the time, rang the police, ranted and raved in teh traffic, etc., but now as time has gone on I'm thinking life's too short, after all no one was hurt and hardly any damage to the car. But then i think, what if the next time they hurt someone, but i've reported it to the police - it's up to them now. Problem is we were made to feel like criminals as we have been asked to go to the police station and take our documents before they will take it any further!
Sorry - that was a bit off track - finished now!
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At least they gave you a full refund,Gill; so they should too!! >:( There's not much more you can do now except warn other people with dogs in the area not to use them so they lose plenty of business through it.
I have to agree with Jean - we do get all irate and then cool down after a period of time don't we?
I second Sandra & Jean; when I developed a DVT I was absolutely livid with the doctor that administered the injections into my vein & at the time I was all ready to sue for medical negligence.However once I'd calmed down & realised that there was no permanent damage apart from the extreme inconvenience at the time I decided not to pursue it as I felt it just wasn't worth the aggravation. When it first happened though ,I was spitting blood!!!Now I tend to just put it down to experience & bad mouth the vein clinic to everyone I know so hopefully they will lose custom!! ;)
Sorry I'm a bit off track as well!!
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Go back there and ask who "groomed" your cockers.....then get your scissors out of your bag and cut nice big cut off her hair....
That would be a suitable revenge! Yes, you're right; I'm not a nice, forgiving person... not when it comes to my cockers.