Nails by Chi

Best pedi/​mani around. Mai did a gel French mani on me and usually it only stays on for a couple days when I’ve had it done at other places prior but this time it’s staying on!!! 3 days and no peeling at all. My feet are still smooth even though I’ve been walking barefoot on beaches. Everyone at the salon is so friendly. I highly recommend this place!

Everything was perfect! And enjoyable. Until I pulled out my debit card. Let me share my story:
I dropped my car off at MTS Customs across the street to get my car serviced. I asked Siri where the closest nail salon was, so my sister and I could find something to do while we waited for my car to get shampooed. Nails by Chi came up and one other place. I called Nails by Chi, the woman was friendly, and invited me to come on down. It’s located directly/​diagonally across the street from MTS/​Rosies Diner, in Vinyl Square.
We walked in and were greeted by the cutest Chihuahua named bam bam. The store was cute, painted baby blue, and clean. I got a pedicure and my sister got a full set mani. I don’t remember the name of the woman who worked on me, but she was sweet, blonde and irish. The owner took care of my sister.
The foot/​calf rub was great. My nails came out perfect.
She put flip flops on my feet, and I waited at the front for my sister to finish. I pulled out my card and offered to pay– and was told they were cash only. I looked around– no sign– just as I had expected (but wanted to be sure) and didn’t really know what to do. So I asked, «Is there an ATM here or in this building?» I was told, no, I have to walk down the street to the left of the fork where I’d find lowell five bank. «Ok,» I thought to myself, «I’ll go when my feet are dry.»
I was told to «go now, we wait, it’s ok, it’s not too far».
I didn’t want them to think i was scamming them, so I looked at my baby sister, told her to wait there, and walked outside, with wet toes and flip flops, while I aimlessly searched and pulled up walking directions to lowell five bank on my iPhone. I get to the bank– it’s 5 45, so of course they’re closed. There’s no inside ATM– drive up/​drive through ATM only. How awkward– now I have to walk through a drive through ATM. «Can I get in trouble for this?»
I got cash and walked back. I go inside, I pay them– 60 $ for a manicure for my sister and a pedicure for myself. One color for both of us– she got white, I got pink. No designs, no french manicure. Just basic one color. I tip them. I sit down. The woman who performed the service walked over to me, said «do you want the flip flops or no?» She barely gave me the option to let her know that I would take them off when my sister and I are done drying our nails– and she took them off my feet! I was SHOCKED! It was at that point that I realized they were old navy flip flops– not the disposable ones. Then I started thinking– wait a minute– you can’t re-​use sandals! That’s disgusting! You should throw them away and never allow customers to re-​use shoes! Ew! So now, I’m sitting there, feeling extremely uncomfortable, where this woman just comes over and takes my shoes off my feet, and I’m forced to put my bare feet on the carpet. I WAS CRINGING! Not only that– but am I the only one that wore these shoes?! Why did you take them off my feet?! Simultaneously, the owner is yelling over to my sister saying «Ok, you done now so you both can leave!». My jaw hit the floor. There were at least 3 other customers in that room staring at us. I was uncomfortable– I didn’t want to cause a scene, and I was entirely humiliated. I just tipped you guys, and paid far too much for your services and you are rushing me out of here. I put my socks and shoes on, bit my tongue, and walked out. I will not return, and that’s too bad, because everything was great until I pulled out my debit card. I highly recommend putting up a sign, or maybe telling customers over the phone– just as common courtesy. And if we are sitting there drying our nails, please don’t rush us.

They do a good job but just be aware of the high-​pressure upselling to a higher level service. Make sure to ask how much it will cost, and how much time it will take. If you have someplace to go, then beware that they may not give you the correct time estimate.

After trying many nail salons in the area, I found my perfect salon. Chi is a hoot and keeps me laughing the whole time. She is an expert at acrylics. Even though she’s great at natural nails, I have Van do my nails and she is the best nail tech I’ve had. I can usually go almost 2 weeks without a color change when she does my nails. She takes excellent care of my dry cracked heels and her foot and leg message is to die for. The place is very clean, right down to Bam Bam, the owners little dog who is often there. I’m not sure of the other techs name, but she is also very good. One of my daughters goes to her and also 2 other friends and they are very pleased. They do really cute nail art .the polka dot toes are adorable and very original. Give the place a try if your looking for a great nail salon.