Salon Champu

Richard is a thief. I brought a one year laser treatment and three weeks later closed with giving me the rest of my money. He’s a liar and a thief. Shame on him.

I bought an unlimited laser package and booked an appointment. When I rocked up on my appointment date it closed! Uncontactable thereafter. Have not got no reply nor money back. Horribly heart wrenching

Salon closed with no notice! I showed up on a FREEZING day after walking there from union square to find the salon closed. So much for that groupon deal. No texts, no e-​mails that its closing.
The technician was not thorough and now all the areas I did have lasered are patchy and look terrible.
Really disappointed! I hope I get refunded.

I bought a groupon to use here… It was going good until they closed… without any notice. This unprofessionalism is extremely disappointing.

Wow! I can’t believe my ex — boss (Richard) posted a picture (I’ve posted it here too) on Facebook accusing his staff why the salon closed. He made it sound like it’s not His fault that His business failed! I left the salon in November and found out it closed the end of December. He never even gave a formal announcement to the clients or staff that the salon would be closing. A receptionist found out through a client/​friend of Richard. There was more news that the rent was behind several months, not announced by Richard but another friend. The last few weeks the girls were told to use the app Flint to check out their own clients. The same app Richard used to charge his clients a 1 year deal for laser treatments. He sold a deal knowing that in a few weeks the salon would close! The staff found out from a client that a sign was posted in his laser room offering this deal and he would ring them up on his app. It’s upsetting to know all of this and then find out that he wants to blame his staff for his salon’s failure; a staff that survived together at a previous location and a staff that maintains there clientele to date at new locations. I think everyone was just left questioning where all the money went and why rent wasn’t paid. I’m hoping this review stays up so people can know the real story about why this salon closed. The staff had not gone public with anything, but after seeing the post I felt it was fair game.

I WAS A FORMER RECEPTIONIST HERE.
The salon has closed and Richard did not inform his stylists until the week of closing. He left many jobless and robbed loyal customers of their money. Richard is extremely unprofessional. He has slandered the names of his stylists because he threw this salon down the drain and now clients and stylists are angry, and they have every right to be. As a former employee of Salon Champu, I can say that the hair stylists were always concerned and caring towards their clients and Richards clients! The hair team left their clients feeling happy and without regret. Richard had often left people unsettled and bewildered by his erratic and unclean habits. I am extremely sorry Richard has left many unhappy and at a loss of money. Take the action needed be, as he deserves the consequences for his sloppy actions.

I filed a complaint against this business with the NYC Dept of Consumer Affairs. Below is the link to their website if anyone else wants to complain. It takes about five minutes to do. I just don’t think businesses like this should be allowed to just get away with disappearing with peoples money.

I bought a groupon for laser hair removal and was halfway through my treatment. Up until the place closed, I actually have had pretty positive things to say about the place and the treatment. So when I showed up for my appointment two weeks ago, I was completely surprised that the shutters were down. Yes, I also received a text confirmation two days before. I wanted to give the place and the owner the benefit of the doubt but after contacting groupon, they informed me after a week that they are unable to reach out to owner which I find completely shady and unprofessional. I suggest trying to get your money back.

Like the reviews before me, I have had the unfortunate experience of having turned up to my appointment [2^nd Jan — face freezing cold day :)] to find it shuttered. I left a voicemail/​email/​through the site over the next few days asking if they are still open but alas no response. I see from the other reviews they still seem to be closed. And yes, if you get a text confirmation — ignore it, its just automated.
Congrats to the folks that got refunds on Groupon, I have been trying to get Groupon to refund even partial back [only used 6 months worth] and was told, even today, ‘they are still investigating to see if the salon is open’. I informed them to check the reviews on Groupon but was met with a wall of silence. Very disappointed in you Groupon and I have used you alot! First ever refund and not impressed. If anyone is trying to get their money back, keep calling and bothering them, it seems to be the only way to get any response from them. Unfortunately!
Good luck all!
Update — spoke with a very nice lady at Groupon who apologized and got me a bucks refund.

I am so, so, so DISSAPOINTED at this salon’s unprofessionalism. I left a review about a year ago regarding the Groupon voucher and raved about my experience with Richard (the laser specialist) and my results after a couple of sessions.
I was scheduled for my 6^th or 7^th session (you’ll get about 8 with the «unlimited year of laser» because you have to wait about 6 weeks in between sessions) about 6 six weeks in advance (it was scheduled the day I completed one of my sessions), and I even received the Salon’s reminder text a couple of days alerting me of my session that was in the morning of a FREEZING New York day.
I showed up to noticed that the metal gates were down, and when I called, I got a recording that said there was no such number.
Having no other method of contact, I resorted to emailing the salon through their website and haven’t heard back in weeks. I tried calling today, and there’s no ring, no recording –just the repetitive beeping sound of a number disconnected.
If you bought a voucher, GET YOUR REFUND RIGHT NOW. At least I got a handful of sessions in, but I was definitely jipped myself.

Anyone know if BB is still open? No one answers phone and door is locked 1÷12÷15
Thanks

THIS SALON IS CLOSED AND COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL! STAY AWAY! Do not buy a Groupon or make any kind of booking/​appointment with them! If you have already paid any money toward any type of service here, request a refund immediately or contact your credit card company.
Here’s my experience:
I went in for my laser hair removal appointment (which was confirmed by the salon via email the day before). This was actually my second appointment for the Groupon voucher I had bought, and I was looking forward to it after having a positive experience during my first appointment. I had seen about 20−30% reduction in hair growth in the areas that I had treated by Richard at Salon Champu.
Like the other most recent reviewers, I rushed to the salon after work in subzero wind chills (it was the coldest day of the winter season so far, and the salon is a ten minute walk from the subway). When I arrived five minutes early for my 5:30pm appointment on Wednesday 1÷7÷14, the salon was CLOSED. The big gate was down and everything, with no sign or note on the gate explaining why they were closed. While standing outside the salon I called their phone number just to check if they would answer, and instead of their usual voicemail I received an automated message saying «we are unable to complete the call» indicating that the line had been disconnected.
I emailed Groupon the same night to inform them that the salon appeared to be closed and ask for a refund of my voucher. A customer service representative replied within 24 hours claiming that she was able to get in touch with the business which unfortunately had been closed for a few days due to flooding. After explaining the situation she also wrote, «the business has requested that you try calling them once more, as it will be most effective while they work to respond to all voicemails left. You can contact them directly at (212) 529‑6925.» This is the same phone number I called before — it is their only business phone number.
I then replied to Groupon with the following:
«When I called that number yesterday during their business hours when I was supposed to have my appointment, there was no option to leave a voicemail as the number had been disconnected. Giving them benefit of the doubt, I just tried to call them again now (11:15am, also during their normal hours), and I receive the same message that the number is disconnected. Unfortunately the business has not reopened as you say they have.
If they are indeed closed due to flooding, it is very unprofessional the way they have handled it. They still confirmed all of their scheduled appointments even though they knew they would be closed. They did not even have the courtesy to leave a sign or note on the salon door/​gate explaining their situation and reason for closure. I would have been understanding if this was the case, and I’m sure other clients would have as well. The only reasonable conclusion is that the business is not closed due to flooding — they are permanently closed.»
Thankfully Groupon issued me a full refund after all of this. It’s unfortunate because I was really looking forward to continuing the sessions since I did have positive results from my first appointment with Richard at the salon. The reason for their closure is still unknown to me, but their obvious lack of professionalism and care for their clients is probably just one of the reasons. I’ll be looking for another place to continue the laser hair removal treatments.

Is this place still open? I had an appointment today, even got the text confirming it, and when I showed up the place was shuttered. I ran into another client outside who had an appointment right before mine. It’s 11 degrees outside and a 10 min walk from the train. What a waste of my time, I’ll be harassing them for a refund…

laser hair removal
I have been coming to see Richard for laser hair removal over a year now. He is simply amazing, always punctual, funny, discreet, knows what he is doing. Highly recommend him and of course I will continue to go see him.
I liked it better when Richard had his little doggies in the salon, they are now gone as someone complained.
B

This is literally my first Unilocal review ever and I decided to write it to benefit potential customers. I had purchased a groupon deal for Laser hair removal. My first session was uneventful. The other reviews highlight the general experience — no medical screening or guidance regarding after care.
Nevertheless, the second session was a real disaster for me. The technician used a different laser than the first time. He stated that the last time he had used an older laser since the new one which he ordinarily uses was out of service. Immediately after he completed my right lower leg, I expressed that the pain that I felt was significantly more than the last session, and more than any previous session I’ve ever had at any establishment. He ignored my concern and continued onto the other leg. I left with severe redness, and he normalized this and instructed me to ice the area. Additionally, he stated that I have «darker skin» which required a higher intensity setting and he had dealt with it «a 1000 times». A few hours later, the redness transformed into burn scars all over my legs. The marks are literally parallel lines across my legs where he had touched the laser machine to the skin. I now have 1^st and 2^nd degree burns all across my lower legs. At this point, I’m just hoping that the scarring isn’t permanent.
The following day I attempted to reach the Salon and nobody answered the phone after several tries. Eventually I gave up and contacted groupon for a full refund. They have complied and put me in touch with their legal dept.

This review is limited to the laser hair removal experience only.
Pros: price is very affordable and the salon itself is very inviting
Cons: all the rest…
Just so you know, I have been a regular at a different salon but I was forced to be hunting for a new one since it shut down its manhattan location. Anyways! This groupon deal came up and thought I would give it a try. Results? Horrific
First of all, there is only 1 technician; middle aged man. So if you are thinking of getting a Brazilian, go figure…
Secondly, he’s not thorough. I did my upper lips and he zapped twice, left and right. Twice??? One on each side??? I wasn’t too surprised to find that the hair on upper lips were only half lasered-​i could see the other half on each side intact. I did several other areas, and in all of my other areas, he was not thorough. Like, AT ALL.
Thirdly, I’ve been to other places and this one was the only one that lasered without applying any gel.
Lastly, the laser room doesn’t seem clean… and knowing that he is lasering directly on skin without any gel, I’d expect more hygienic approach, but not really… I know that he has some alcohol cleaners and stuff but when you use it directly on ppls skin, including the Brazilian areas, alcohol wipes are not enough… I was groused out.
Overall, either the laser machine didn’t work or he didnt do a thorough job, I am still growing my hairs out… lol I’d rather pay more and get the results I want in a more sanitary and clean environment. Such a shame… cuz I liked the hair salon vibe… smh

I bought a groupon deal package for a year of laser in 3 locations (brazilian, chin and underarm). After 6 treatments, I have not seen any improvements, which is disappointing. Usually when I do laser in other locations, they’ll ask me if I was in the sun and how I should avoid being in the sun for a period of time but this guy Richard never once ask me any questions. There’s a dog thats sometimes there even in the room downstairs before I go in, which I’m not a fan of. Overall, I regret doing this deal, and will ask groupon for a refund.
FYI, if I could give 0 stars I would.

I bought a groupon for the laser hair removal they offer and so far i have only done 1 session, not much to comment on yet, but the service has been great and accommodating Richard is awesome!
while waiting for my apt i asked about the hair products and they said they use vegan products, ofcourse I had to try it! my stylist Fanny was amazing. She did my hair exactly the way I wanted. I will def be going back to them. great customer service and amazing products. a little pricey but you def get your moneys worth.

Dear readers,
I purchased a groupon deal for laser hair removal. I had already done laser treatments at other places, and already understood the process and what to expect. My package was for 8 sessions, lower legs. The person that does laser is the owner and a male, so do not do anything private if you don’t want a man to see your private areas.
The laser machine that he has is many, many years old and after 6 sessions, no hair ever was removed from the patch that I wanted to have permanently removed. When I told him this, he found it rude, because his attitude changed with me.
Also, the room he has is located outside the salon, down a long staircase and it is very small and stuffy.
Thankfully, Groupon reimbursed me the amount I paid and went elsewhere to continue my laser sessions.
Summery: Laser machine does not remove hair, the office uses is uncomfortable and small. Pus his machine is at least 20 years old.

I love Mao! My family and I were a regular client of her at Hair Mates and she moved to this salon and we followed her. I have been getting my hair done by her for the past 8 years. She is an amazing stylist! I don’t trust anyone with my hair other than her. Always recommend her to my family and friends.
She always manages to make my hair look better than I was imagined!
Go to Mao :)