I moved to Mercer Island two years ago and have always taken my two dogs to a groomer in Juanita. I was driving a different way to the grocery when I saw the sign for Bark Avenue. I did some research, saw great reviews only a few bad, (all companies have a few bad) and decided to give them a shot. After all, I love giving money to locally owned businesses!
Worst idea EVER. I have never, had such a horrible experience with any other business as I did them. I dropped my dogs off at 10 am and they told me they would be ready by 2pm. At 2:30 still with no call, I decide to call them up to check in. A man answers, sounds nervous and asks me to hold. I waited patiently and the groomer, a younger girl gets on the phone and is very rude. Explains she has only started on one dog, and she had to rewash them because they peed all over themselves in their kennel while waiting for her to groom them. I was immediately concerned. My dogs a 2year old, 15lb schnauzer mix hasn't had an accident since he was 6months old. My other dog a 1 year old 3lb chihuahua/shih tzu mix same thing. This basically meant they sat in a cage to air dry after their bathes for FOUR AND A HALF HOURS?! How is this even right? I stay calm, say okay and she said they should be ready soon.
4pm rolls around, still no call. At this point I am beyond upset. I call again, she answers only to tell me she is JUST starting on my second dog. My 3lb little guy. I decide not to wait, I go to the salon and when I walk in I'm infuriated. She's YELLING at my dog, jerking his little face around to be still. I tell the guy at the front desk to go get my dogs I'm ready for them to be done. She brings them out and they are both petrified. She then proceeds to charge me $100...for what? She hadn't even cut my second dogs hair! $50 for a bath?/I just pay and leave, because I am so horrified I couldn't speak, I was shaking so bad.
I live literally a block away and both my dogs peed all over themselves in the back seat on the drive home! This is absurd. When we got home they both run into the house and hide in a corner, shaking so bad I thought they were seizing. They have been going to the same groomer since they were puppies and they have NEVER acted this way after leaving an appointment.
After a week of calling and trying to get a hold of a manager/owner with no return call I gave up. I absolutely DO NOT recommend this business to anyone and hope you do not take your loved furry ones here.
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