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Business Profile

Car Wash

Tidal Wave Auto Spa

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Car Wash.

This business has 1 alert

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Tidal Wave Auto Spa's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Tidal Wave Auto Spa has 66 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 203 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 110 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/06/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I thought my wife canceled my membership with Tidal Wave in ****, apparently she didn't. First week of *** I did - the phone call was supposedly recorded. They continue to charge me even though the  woman on the phone said she canceled my membership & it would end *** *. They took money after that phone call & I want that money back.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/02/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I used tital car wash 2 times on the month of March of 2024 and paid a promotional fee of 23.58 then was charged again for 49.97 that same month. When I went through the attendant never said anything about reoccurring costs. I was on the understanding that I was paying a 1 time fee for just that month of 23.58. And today I was looking back through my banking and have been charged a fee of 49.97 every month. I learned that I can cancel online and just done that. I know I'm responsible for the fee of 23.58 that was taken out on 3/29/24. But don't feel that I should have not been charged 49.97 every month from then until now. I'm hoping they will refund me the total of 399.76 for the 9 months they charged me of what I had no knowledge of and didn't use. Like I stated I used the car wash in ********** just 2 times in March because I paid a promotional unlimited car wash fee for that month. Any help on this matter would greatly be appreciated. And I hope when they have futher customers they will educate them about the reoccurring costs and about cancelation procedures. Thanks ****** *****

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/02/2024

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On October 31, 2024 @ 4:38 p.m. I took my vehicle to the Tidal Wave Auto Spa ** ********* **. After arriving home, as I was touching up water spots on the vehicle, I noticed the wheel covers were scraped, which had to of occurred during the car wash because the covers were not scraped prior to the car wash.I called the phone number on my receipt and reported the damage.They informed me I had to return to the car wash to file a claim for damages.I explained I would not be able to return to the car wash until the next day after work.The next day on November 1st I returned to the car wash about 4:30 p.m. I spoke to Deondre and reported the damage.He sent the manager to speak to me. John came over and immediately told me he would not pay for any damage to the vehicle and that if a vehicle is more than 10 years old, they don't cover any damages.I told him there was no sign in my sight informing me of that nor did anyone advise me of that.His equipment damaged my vehicle!He then started raising his voice at me and was getting so flustered I thought he was going to have a heart attack!He kept repeating he would not pay for any damage even if I filed a claim.He got so fed up that he had Deondre come to take my information to report the damage on a claim form.I asked Deondre why complete the claim form when John stated he would not cover any damages.Deondre told me to forget about John, that he would help me and he would take my claim and submit it to the corporate office.I gave Deondre all of my personal information on the form and asked if I could take a picture for my records.He asked John, and John said I was not allowed to have a copy of the claim I filed.I called the corp office again and explained the situation to them. They told me they did have the claim and I should hear back from the district leader within 5 days.It has now been almost a month and no one has contacted me. The wheel covers cost $49.51 each, photo attached. Total for 4 is $198.04.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:12/02/2024

      Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Tidal Wave Car wash just opened in my area. When I arrived, I was asked by the employee which car wash I wanted. I said the regular $12 wash. He took my credit card info and said they had a promotion for the month for unlimited free car washes and that I could come back all month for the free car washes. There was no mention of a subscription, no mention of an extra fee, no contract, nothing for me to sign, no request for my phone number, no sticker to be put in my window (I was later told that if I had signed up for a subscription, I would be given a sticker to put on my windshield). I was charged 23.97 per month without my consent. I called their headquarters and when I asked, I was told they could not provide me with any proof of a subscription. Their customer service agent (Paige) said that I received a text notifying me of a subscription, I did not receive one. This company/employee fraudulently charged my credit card. The company refused to provide proof of anything and would not offer a full refund of 12 months. I even had proof that I spent money on their car washes... If I had a subscription why would I pay extra for car washes? I did not give permission to this employee to use my credit card for anything other than a one-time $12 car wash. I will not use this company ever again!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/27/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On 9/27/24 I cancelled my subscription. On 9/28/24 I was charged again. I disputed this and despite my physical proof presented they continue refusing to do what's right and give a simple refund. They can even see that I never attempted to to even get another wash following the cancellation despite being charged. Just a scummy business.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/22/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Absolute scam of a business. After the hurricane I went to get my car washed on October 14th 2024 because my car was trashed from all the debris. The employee told me because of the hurricane that they were offering pay for one wash use it the rest of the month at no extra charge. I asked him if it would renew or charge me the following month and he said no this is just a special because of the hurricane. To my surprise I received a charge this month on November 14th 2024 DOUBLE than what I paid for my one and only wash I used. Absolutely ridiculous. Shame on you. Imagine how many people were lied to over a simple car wash. This is a common practice I attached google reviews as well for additional complaints. They should be shut down just for the unethical practice and scam.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/14/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      In Oct 2024 I got a car wash at Tidal Wave in ****** At. The man tried to sell me a monthly plan. I was very clear that I only wanted the one car wash and nothing more! He told me I could wash my car for free for the next month. Once again I told him I only wanted a single cheapest car wash they had. I asked him if I would receive more charges later as they would not accept cash. He guaranteed that there would be no later charges so I went ahead. They did charge me again on November 12,2024. I when there and spoke to the manager after a long wait. She said I had mistakenly signed up for this program. I explained that I was ******* with the man at the register that on no uncertain terms could they charge me again as this was a single car wash. He agreed. The girl acted like I was a fool and I caused the mis understanding. She finally spoke with someone and said her manager would call me in an hour. She has not called yet. I am shocked that. Company with a beautiful car wash in a great spot would steal money from my bank account, but they did! They think that $23.97 is not worth a lawsuit. They may be mistaken.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/13/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      After leaving the car wash ******* ***** ***** ** ********* ***** my check engine light came on and my car started shaking. I had to do 45mph just to get back home safely. Every time I turn on the car it starts shaking again and the engine light won't go off.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/12/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      They offered a monthly subscription when I had my car washed and they said it would be $25 per month but they’ve been charging me $49.95 per month. I filled out all the info they requested but they keep telling me the fields are not filled out completely or correctly, I checked and double check and all the info was there and it was correct then they finally told me to go to the car wash and talk to an attendant. I just want it cancelled.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/11/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Subject: Misleading Trial Period and Unfair Billing by Tidal Wave Auto Spa

      I signed up for a free one-month car wash trial with Tidal Wave Auto Spa, based on an attendant’s assurance that I could cancel anytime within 30 days. However, they failed to mention that cancellation must be processed seven days before the trial ends. When I tried to cancel on the last day, their website stated it would take seven days to process, resulting in an automatic charge for the next month.

      This hidden stipulation effectively reduces the "free trial" period to only 23 days. I feel this is deceptive advertising, and I’m requesting a full refund for the unwanted charge. I urge Tidal Wave Auto Spa to clearly disclose all cancellation requirements upfront to avoid misleading customers.

    Tidal Wave Auto Spa is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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