Business & Tech

Customers Dismayed Over Spa Closing, Loss of Gift Cards

Spa's sudden closure has many commenting. Find out what residents are saying about their departure.

The sudden closure of T. Carlton's Spa in Smithtown had a lot of people talking over the past few days. Many were angry, some shocked and others sympathetic. The spa’s sudden departure has left many with unused gift cards, but several area salons have welcomed T. Carlton’s former customers to use their cards with them.

The spa closed without warning, leaving just a sign posted on their door Saturday morning saying that they had closed the business.

Thomas D. Napoli, New York State's comptroller, has a website with a FAQ that offers tips and advice for residents to consider when buying and using gift certificates. 

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According to the state comptroller's office, when a store, or restaurant, declares bankruptcy or closes customers might be able to redeem gift cards on a "dollar by dollar"  or customers may not be able to redeem them at all. The state comptroller's office advises to check with the store for their policy. 

There is nothing written on T. Carlton's website regarding the purchase of gift certificates and nothing saying that the spa is now closed.

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The state comptroller's office advises customers with complaints about gift cards and a business's policy to call: 

·  New York State Attorney General – Consumer Helpline: (800) 771-7755. 

·  New York State Consumer Protection Board –www.consumer.state.ny.us

·  Federal Trade Commission – www.ftc.gov or (877)FTC-HELP

·  Better Business Bureau – www.newyork.bbb.org

Dozens of former clients took to Patch boards, Facebook and our comment sections to express their dismay:

  • JHAs a former dedicated and loyal customer I am very saddened to see those doors close. I hope they will reorganize and reopen one day! I will miss them all.
  • AH11767: No compassion here. A business owner that suddenly shuts his doors with no notice to customers doesn't deserve compassion. There are many displaced customers and many who have lost a ton of money. FYI, not everyone with credit has a paper certificate. Many have packages that were tracked "in their computer". There's just a right way to do things and there is this way. Businesses fail for any number of reasons. They can still go out with a little dignity and class.
  • Raymond BarrettHi to all my friends from T C S.I will miss the bunch of you.I would like to extend a wish for success no matter where u end up. What Tom and Christine are going thru plus what happened to us I pray for you. 
  • SusiQI enjoyed reading all the comments. T-Carlton's was the "It" place to go. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford to go there...Extremely OVER-PRICED and over-hyped.
  • Rosie Pumarejo: You got to love it!!! They were the worst with service!!! And we all know there was something wrong going on in there....Just saying!
  • Debbie Buoncore Carasiti: Such a shame, I have known Tom and Christine for so many years, I hope their future looks brighter than the words people are posting
  • Lisa Figalora: Whatttttt???? I have gift certificates from there to use!


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