ComplaintsforTidal Wave Auto Spa
Current Alerts For This Business
According to BBB files this business has a pattern of complaint concerning consumers not being properly advised on the reoccurring monthly subscription and price, cancellations not being processed when consumer request, being charged after cancellation has been processed with no refund, consumers being signed up for a subscription by staff without consumer knowledge, and scratches and other damages from washing equipment to vehicles. BBB has sent a written notice to Tidal Wave Auto Spa identifying the potential pattern of complaint with a request for a business response.
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Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
09/17/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Sales and Advertising Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I arrived at tidal wave to get a car wash on July 13, 2024. I was there to get a single car wash as I don't use the car wash often. While at the gate selecting what wash I wanted, the attendant came to my window sayin for the same price I could get unlimited wash for the month. I kindly declined telling him that I don't use it often and I would for get to cancel. He continued on multiple times as I declined, telling me he's the manager and that he put it in the computer and it would not auto renew. After about the 4th time of declining I said sure. I just wanted to wash my truck and get out of there. Never been back since. After looking at my bank statements the last 2 months I've been charged for a membership that I didn't agree to and they refused to help of any kind.Initial Complaint
09/13/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I happened to notice a charge to my bank account on Sept 13th for $44.02. I had went to Tidal Wave Auto Spa located 1**** ******** **** ****** ***** ** one time during the week of May 6 thru the 10. I explained that my car was extremely dirty and what wash would they recommend. They gave me a promotional wash for $23.13 telling me I could come back through if the car was clean the first time and that I had 30 more days of car washes with that price and gave me a sticker good for 30 days. I started getting texts to complete my "membership profile" starting on May 12th but I ignored them since I knew I would not be using the service again, not even in the 30 days allotted. At no time was there any conversation of a following monthly charge for a continued membership during my conversation at the carwash. I wouldn't have done a membership as I live at least an hour from the nearest location. I called the corporate number and explained that I did not purchase a membership. Long story short, after insisting on a refund and being told that was not possible, I insisted on talking to someone higher. I asked for at least a refund for the charge on my card dated Sept 13. I was willing to take responsibility for not noticing the monthly charge sooner. And then I explained that I was looking at reviews for the company and saw multiple same complaints listed on the BBB site. I was put on hold for a few minutes and the person came back online and stated they were refunding my card 138.04. My calculations for June thru Sept are a refund of $176.08 so I'm not sure what their rationale is but again, I will take responsibility for not noticing the charges sooner and appreciate the refund I am getting. I did receive an email confirmation stating the refund amount and that it could take up to 7 days to see back in my account.Initial Complaint
09/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
Back in June 2023 I paid for a basic car wash using my credit card. Today September 3, 2024 I just noticed that they've been charging a monthly fee to that same credit card without my approval. I never agreed to a monthly membership.Initial Complaint
08/27/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
During their opening week, I was encouraged to take advantage of their promotion. I was told I would get 3 months of their top package for $9.97. I clarified that it must be $9.97/ mo for 3 months, which would still be a great deal. I also said that I would never pay $49.97/mo (the regular price of that pkg). The attendant stressed that it was actually $9.97 for the first 3 months and that I would not be charged again until September and at that point I could switch to a lower pkg. I planned on doing so at the beginning of September. At the time I had been paying $15/mo at a competitor and I would not have switched just to save $5 for one month. I just discovered that I was charged $49.97 the 2nd and 3rd month. I instantly cancelled my plan but was told I would not get a refund even for the current month. I was given the explanation that some attendant trainees did give incorrect info but that a trainer should have corrected them. This was not the case. I was told that I should have read the screen. Of course the attendant was between the screen and myself. So basically I was told that I should not trust their employees. I guess lying is supposed to be an accepted business practice nowInitial Complaint
08/12/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
On 8/3/24 I had a coupon to try tidal wave. They did not say anything to me about folding my mirrors in. They are standard mirrors. when I was going thru a heard a bangs when I pulled out of the wash I looked and both my mirrors where just holding by only the plastic ring. I went in and told the lady and she came out and took pictures and said she would look at the camera and let know. No one has ever been back with me. This is wrong and she acted like it was no big deal. This is a big deal. It should not if broken both my mirrors. I feel they need to pay for my mirrors and there was no sign or anything saying pull your mirrors and they are not responsible for any damages.Initial Complaint
08/08/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
On **** *** 2024 at 2:26 PM, I stopped to wash my vehicle. There was a special for $24.98 and the person on the gate said it was the top wash. He said that through ****** i could come back and receive additional washes. My receipt identifies me as CAR * **** ************* sale # ***********. I said okay and he processed my card. As I waited for my wash, I read the receipt and saw that there would be a charge every month for $49.97. I immediately went back to the gate and had the transaction terminated (car# **** **** * ***********). I recently checked my account and found a charge processed for $49.97. I called the company several times to only get a recording that the facility was not open and to call back during operational hours (even though it was during the right time period). I sent an email to the company and received a patronizing response to enjoy a month of car washes. This is a scam and something needs to be done to stop it.Initial Complaint
08/06/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Order Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
On *****2024 I decided to try a new car wash in ******** ** * Tidal Wave Auto Spa. When I pulled in for a wash I was offered a monthly subscription for the price of a single wash. When I saw that they would auto-renew each month for $49.97 I said that I did not want the auto-renewal the agent advised that I would receive a text or email one week before it renewed so I could decide if I wanted to renew or not. On July ** I was charged for the renewal. I immediately reached out to Tidal Wave customer service and all they keep repeating that I accepted the Terms & Conditions and it does not matter what their employee said to me when I signed up. I have been requesting a refund. I have used the car wash twice (in June) and have not been back after the trial period ended.Initial Complaint
08/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I purchased a special month rate online. Upon trying to redeem the purchase with the barcode presented in the email. The teller asked for my card to put on file. I didn’t want to out a card on file because it is too hard to remember to have it turned off before the next month because all I wanted was a month due to the hot weather. I called customer service and it took the lady 10 minutes to give me a vague answer of how they explain it. But no where does it state to put a card on file to redeem the purchase. Then they said no refunds for online orders so now I’m stuck because I don’t want to be charged because I won’t remember this and that is why they have these in place so you will forget and then they get back the difference. It is very misleading based off the conversation I had with the operator saying she understood how it could be.Initial Complaint
08/04/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Service or Repair Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
The business signed me up for a monthly membership charging me up to 50$ per month without my approval or knowledge. They say they I approved these charges because they have my email, phone number and address. They will not refund me for this and they have no proof nor can they provide me any proof thst inagrred to any reoccuring charges by them. They also cannot provide any proof they have cancelled this reoccuring charge or membership per my request.Initial Complaint
07/31/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Unanswered
I paid $12 for a special car wash deal at Tidelwave in ***** ******** ****** ** on February *** 2024. I was explained to me that I could wash the car as many times as I wanted for 1 month. Today, I found out that Tidelwave charged me $23.97 on 3/25, $23.97 on 4/26, $23.97 on 5.25 for a membership. I called Tidelwave ************ and spoke to Ira and explained the situation. He said he would cancel the membership but could not refund any of the charges. I explained to Ira that I I did not sign any agreement for a membership. He said again that Tidelwave could not refund any of the charges.
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BBB Rating & Accreditation
This business is not BBB Accredited
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Customer Complaints Summary
127 total complaints in the last 3 years.
82 complaints closed in the last 12 months.