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Business Profile

Car Wash

Tidal Wave Auto Spa

Headquarters

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 65 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 217 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 109 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.

    Sort by

    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • 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.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/06/2024

      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.
      I have been a member of the wash club. After using the service recently the chemicals and machine has serverly scratched and faded my hood and roof. Multiple paint and body shops stated it's roughly 2000 worth of damage.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/05/2024

      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 charged me for memberships AFTER I canceled my subscription. They will not refund my money now. They didnt provide me with terms of service either!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/04/2024

      Type:Facilities 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.
      August 28 2024
      wife ***** paid $ 12 for car wash
      later that day when exiting vehicle she
      notices strip of paint on driver side
      near mirror was stripped off.
      when I went to the ****** ******* ** ******** ** location
      the manager said nothing he could do.
      We are requesting tidal wave pay our $100 ***** deductible
      as our auto body shop now needs to repaint the area.
      Tidal wave should be responsible as this is when the paint strip was removed!

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/18/2024

      Type:Product 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.
      Name on the card being charged* ** *** *** First five and last 4 of the card being charged: ****

      Date and amount of the most recent charge: 08/12/2024, $23.97

      Location of the wash as listed on the last charge: TIDAL WAVE ****** 
      The 11-digit number on the windshield sticker (customer #) ***********  
      What are you requesting to be changed on your account? I was away from home due to military duty in ******* **. I requested membership cancellation, but it was charged to my credit card even though I didn't use the service. Please refund this amount.

      I requested cancellation and refund many times, but I can't get the refund because the service charged me wrongly. I explained all the pertinent situations, but they kept refusing my refund. I felt discriminated against because I was on military duty in **, away from my home state, **, and they ignored my special circumstances. If I used their service, I definitely would pay, but I did not and could not use their service during the time I was charged. Please help.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:10/15/2024

      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: Complaint Against Tidal Wave Auto Spa

      Dear Better Business Bureau,

      I am writing to file a complaint against Tidal Wave Auto Spa due to a misleading trial offer that has resulted in unauthorized charges to my credit card.

      On [insert date], I was offered a trial month of services for $12. I specifically asked if this trial would automatically renew and result in further charges. The employee assured me that there would be no automatic renewal and that my card would not be charged again after the trial month. Trusting this information, I agreed to the trial.

      However, I recently discovered that Tidal Wave Auto Spa has been charging me $25 each month since that initial transaction. These unauthorized charges have caused my account to exceed its limit, resulting in overdraft fees and financial stress.

      When I contacted customer service, I learned that my account was closed due to non-payment. I explained that the closure was because of the unauthorized charges. I requested to speak with a supervisor, but they were unhelpful, stating they could only refund the most recent charge. When I asked for a full refund, I was told it was not possible, and the supervisor dismissed the previous representative's offer as a misunderstanding.

      This experience has been frustrating, and I have seen other complaints from customers facing similar issues with Tidal Wave Auto Spa. Their practices seem misleading, and I want to warn others about this business.

      I am requesting a full refund for the unauthorized charges. If this issue is not resolved promptly, I may consider legal action to recover my funds. I appreciate your attention to this matter and hope for a swift resolution.

      Sincerely, **** *********

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/17/2024

      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.
      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.

    Tidal Wave Auto Spa is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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