NEVER again, say women who were burned by the True Spa/Subtle Senses saga.

Ms Lilian Lee, 40, director of a digital printing company, had bought a $2,900 body massage package from True Spa in 2008.

Her package was transferred to Subtle Senses after True Spa closed in April.But when Subtle Senses closed abruptly earlier this month, it was deja vu for Ms Lee.

She said she would not be renewing or purchasing any packages for some time.

“I used to renew my packages if I was comfortable with the therapist and if the service was good,” she said.

“I won’t be buying any more. There have been too many instances of spas closing.”

Ms Lee used to love splurging on packages. She bought her first package for facials in 2006. In the following years, she bought three other packages for body massage, manicure and pedicure, and hair.

Ms Lee said she can’t remember how much she spent on these packages.

Don’t dare to buy any more
Another Subtle Senses customer, who wanted to be known only as Ms Sandy, said: “I don’t dare to buy these packages any more.”

Ms Sandy, who is in her late 40s, had signed up for a three-year facial and body massage package worth about $4,000 with Subtle Senses at the end of December 2009.
She has a package with another spa, which she bought in 2007. She has a few sessions left, but has no intention of renewing the package.

So why did these women buy these packages?

 It’s economical, said one Subtle Senses customer  who wanted to be known only as Ms Irene.

The housewife in her late 30s bought her first package, for facials, with Subtle Senses in 2005. She spent $8,000 renewing two packages and purchasing products, which have not been collected, at the beginning of this year.

She said: “I knew that I would go for at least one session a month, so it made sense to buy a package, especially since I have interest-free instalments with my credit card.

“But now, I am not going to buy any more packages even if they are cheap.”