Today Mom and I took at class at
Vine Gogh in Sellwood another Groupon find.
I was really looking forward to this class, because I felt they had a wide variety of different styles (particularly with a more muted palette and replicas of asian style paintings) and well it is super close to home (which allows for even a quick week night jaunt).
Our experience started off poorly. It turned into one heck of an ordeal trying to get them to accept my Groupon. I started truing to book in January and it seemed every class was booked that we tried to get into (and I tried about 5 getting put on wait lists). Finally I called in early/mid-February to be told all classes were full and there were over 300 people who bought the deal who waited to the last minute "like me." Too bad I would just have to redeem the face value at the next available class. When I went to use it just to get something booked out (so I could use the voucher before my babies get here), my voucher did not work on the website. Again I called back and got the lady at the front told me it was not her problem and I needed to get in contact with their webmaster. That was when I got pissed - what awful service! She was not only rude on each attempted contact, but accusing that I was slacking, and telling me to fix the problems of her site.
That is when I reached out to Groupon as I felt something was not right. I was trying actively trying to to book and after many rounds with the battle ram at the front desk I pulled Groupon into the whole ordeal who said I was right that I had the right to book a class at full value and if none were available as long as I booked before the expiration date they should make others available. I forwarded the email to the store who forwarded it to the owner (Jenny) who took quick action to intervene and resolve the situation. Now she was very professional and resolved it with a kind manner with real customer service. Just a shame that it took the whole time to get to her! I was seriously ready to walk away from this place and she made me reconsider.
March's selection was disappointing to the previous months selections I had seen advertised, but was so glad to finally get enrolled that we picked one I thought the content was decent, but could play with the palette and darken it a bit to fit more the style I enjoy.
We got Paul for our instructor and he made the class very enjoyable. The teaching style was laid back and very free-flow. Less "teachy" then some other classes I have been to. Audience seemed to be a co-workers getting tipsy and going artsy vibe.
All-in-all mom and I were able to sit in our own space uninterrupted and do our own thing which made the night pass quickly and we both agreed we would go back and try again on a night the painting subject matter inspired us a bit more.
My work in progress -
The final result -
Mom putting the final touches on her painting -
