"Canceled on the morning of the groom"

What a Joke!!! I booked my St. Bernard in for grooming two weeks ahead of my holiday, paid the deposit, and everything seemed fine at first. Then I got multiple WhatsApp messages telling me to let them know as soon as possible if I wanted to cancel. Next, on the actual day of the appointment at 9:30am, I got a call saying they couldn’t groom him because the manager who was supposed to do it had called in sick. (That great excuse you have no idea if true or not everyone uses) They offered someone else who apparently doesn’t even work there anymore, which didn’t inspire confidence.

If they can’t—or don’t want to—groom a St. Bernard, they shouldn’t take the booking in the first place. Now I’m left scrambling right before my trip. I really regret ignoring my gut feeling about pets at home and it’s exactly the sort of hassle I was trying to avoid.

"Cavalier trim"

Not sure when the smallest cavalier became classed as a medium sized dog. Just booked ours in for his groom - apparently they normally have 1hr 20 allocated but he takes 1.5 hrs so that adds an extra £5 on - total £60! I have never purchased a medium size coat, jumper whatever, it would swamp him but no - he’s definitely a medium. Unfortunately this will be the last visit which is sad, but sometimes you get a bit fed up of being taken for a fool

"Incompetent staff. "

I arrived at your Groom room in Truro for a pre-booked, wash and brush for my Bearded collie. After waiting 5/10 minutes to book in, the young lady grooming my pet left my partner and I feeling guilty due to several knots she had acquired over a few recent beach trips. At this stage we were told, it would cost more. 10 minutes after leaving the dog I received a call from the same young lady asking me to collect the dog and she would explain on my arrival. Holding a cut off bit of hair, I was told the knots on her feet were too close to the skin and could not only cut off blood circulation but I quote, “could cause her tail to drop off”.
Gobsmacked.
She advised a full groom, at again more money. £60+
Reluctantly I agreed and re-booked her in at the end of the day.
Later on, we were met by another young lady who was also around earlier in the day.
On examination of my dog, she said the knots on her feet would need clipping off, leaving her hair around them short, as well as the ones at the back of her upper front legs. The ones on her ears were to close to the skin and needed cutting out as also. I mentioned I use a stripping tool on her and have never needed to clip or cut them out, only to be told that I shouldn’t use the stripping tool as damages the hair and can cause further issues. (Please note I bought this at Pets at home in the first place)
She suggested this late in the day, a de-matting and brush only. Seeing I wasn’t happy with this she said that perhaps it would be better if she was fully clipped.
Again we were left gobsmacked, she is a young bearded collie.
On arriving home I fully examined my dog. She had a little knot on her beard, front right paw, (which was quite bad) one behind each ear, (not at all close to the skin or in need of clipping) a couple a bigger ones upper front legs and a few on her other legs scattered.
An hour or so later, still fuming all knots had been removed without any stress to the dog. No cutting or clipping.
Firstly, I’d like to complain about the lack of integrity and customer service of both these young women, as I do not need to be made to feel guilty or lectured regarding grooming my dog.
I am on my 5 collie and groomed them all myself. By no means an expect, but common sense prevails. I brush my dog several times a week, with a weekly back braking brush and comb. Hence why this was a treat to both of us.
Secondly, I suggest that your staff also learn the products that Pets at home sell, and if they do damage our dogs, then please explain why they are on sale.
Thirdly and finally, training on different types of dogs, there needs and in this case, how to de-mat without clipping.
I not only wasted a precious day off, I didn’t get my dog groomed as hoped and was left fuming that the answer on how to de-mat a bearded collie dog was to clip it.
I would like some form of a response to this
Mr Shaw.

"Not a good groomer used to go to one in…"

Not a good groomer used to go to one in clitheroe and never cut the nails , or did a proper groom now asking for a £15 deposit this is totally un acceptable and won't be going ever again

"I never go online to write a review…"

I never go online to write a review however I have given the groom room two chances now and I won’t be returning.
I have a cockapoo and the first time they said he’s a bit matted so they would have to cut it short. He came back barely with any hair! The second time I brushed him the morning of to make sure they couldn’t say he was matted. I asked them to just take a tiny bit from the length and specifically said I don’t want it super short and he came back the same as the first time! Barely with any hair and all shaved off. All his cockapoo curls gone.
They don’t listen to what you want and just look for the easier cut and will just use the excuse of saying they’re matted. I’ve seen lots of awful reviews on Shirley FB page and I can now say I 100% agree.

"Charged £49 for a face, nail and paw trim"

Charged £49 (£15 refundable deposit, groom and an extra charge of £10 for the face trim!).

Didn't receive the full service, only a face, nail and paw trim, dispite this, we were still charged the full amount, they claimed it was because we were 10 mins late, using the 10 mins to justify the removal of 2 baths, groom, blow dry and ears clipped. The reason we were late? I was pushing my disabled relitive in a wheelchair to support our dog.

I complained to pets at home, but they were satisfied with the service provided by the Great Yarmouth Groom Room, dispite not receiving the full service as expected, claiming we agreed to it as stated in the contract at the session. They were that satisfied they thought we would go back to the groom room, informing us that the refundable deposit can be used for future grooms! upon requesting a refund of the deposit.

"Disgusting service"

Disgusting service. Price hike from £47 to £53 … then wanting £15 extra because my dog’s coat is thick. So total groom £68!!! Absolute day light robbery. Avoid as they add on costs - if you slightly late picking dog up they charge extra too… disgusting.

"Connie @ Didcot"

I changed groomer to Didcot a few months ago and am SO happy that I did. What an absolute amazing groomer (Connie). She knows exactly what I want and every time I collect our dog, he looks fantastic and is very happy. Connie is the one! Definitely. Thank you SO much!!

"Took my long haired cocker spaniel for…"

Took my long haired cocker spaniel for a trim was shown pics with only a little bit taken off. He came out shaved (no2) neck to toe!! It is beyond belief that they think this was ok. I have autism and struggle communicating and left in tears. Talked to pets at home couple days after but not interested even after showing pics of before and after bodged cut. Disgusting shouldnt be allowed near a dog clearly no training given. I had to buy a thick coat for him. Never will i go back.

"Groom room shame "

We brought Cody for his groom yesterday at Stockport and when we got there we were asked to fill a form in regarding medication being taken. Cody is a rescue and has recently been prescribed diazepam for anxiety. Cody is not aggressive just gets a little worried from time to time and as of late with fireworks and the darker nights his anxiety has been worse. The girl who was looking after us went into the back and no more than 20 seconds later another person came with her to tell us that as he was on diazepam they couldn’t groom him as he couldn’t be regulated for his stress levels? This apparently is what vets 4 pets had advised them. Firstly Cody doesn’t attend vets 4 pets as in my opinion from a previous experience they are not a very good practice and second why is this not on the website for the groom room? I’m not expecting any reaction from the Groom Room as we won’t be returning, I didn’t like the second persons attitude as it she had a very rude tone! My daughter offered to contact our vet, whom might I add, I did contact this morning and they said there is no reason why he couldn’t be groomed as the diazepam is a small dose and will keep him at ease.
I’m writing this review as I found the whole experience stressful as the traffic was horrendous and then everyone was looking at us as the rude person was telling everyone in ear shot that our dog was on diazepam and could not be groomed! This is private information and I’m just wondering when she had time to check with vets 4 pets or if it’s somewhere online that I can’t see? Surly as we are not patients of vets 4 pets it’s irrelevant what they think? The Groom Room were very keen on getting the deposit in the first instance which apparently has been returned but not as keen on any medical exclusions! I’ve written this review to make others aware that if your dog is on any anxiety medication that Vets 4 Pets or whoever doesn’t approve whether your with them or not chances are you’ll be ridiculed in earshot by the person at the desk!