Skip to main content

Cookies on BBB.org

We use cookies to give users the best content and online experience. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to allow us to use all cookies. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Manage Cookies
Share
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

Find a Location

Tidal Wave Auto Spa has 65 locations, listed below.

*This company may be headquartered in or have additional locations in another country. Please click on the country abbreviation in the search box below to change to a different country location.

    Country
    Please enter a valid location.

    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:09/17/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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 Auto Spa made 2 checking account withdrawal of $34.97, one for the months of August, and one for September of 2024 from my checking account. However, my vehicle was flooded by tropical storm ****** ** ****** ** ***** In September I contacted this establishment and explained my situation thinking they would reimburse me for the two months that I paid for but never used. They sent me a response email to let me know they discontinued my reoccurring monthly payments, and to thank me for patronizing their business and to enjoy their services for the month of September. I responded to the email regarding a refund for August and September. They have ignored my email. No one has responded as of today. This is robbery, all other businesses that was associated with my vehicle had no issues refunding me after I explained my situation to them.
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:09/13/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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 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

      Date:09/04/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      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

      Date:09/03/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      The guy at the car wash did nit explain to me that the plan would automatically renew . When going online to cancel it would not allow me to cancel . When calling the company on Sept 3 due to a holiday on Sept 2 the customer service refuse to refund the monthly fee of 44.00 I was one date late due to the holiday to cancel within the needed time . I don't think that is right.
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/30/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      charged an expired card, refusing to refund and cancel sub

      I called multiple times and was hung up on by Daniel at the home office and was refused help or the option to speak with management.
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/29/2024

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      Very horrible customer service, talked to Holly about an issue I was having canceling my subscription. I got email from guy at car wash, emailed to cancel, got a confirmation email, and she stated they didn't receive the cancelation. It was over 2 months, and they still took payment from my account, refused to refund. She said nothing I could do. Very rude.
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/27/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      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 now
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/13/2024

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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.
      Hello my name is ****** and I went through the ****** location once over a month ago and a man had told me about a $30 for 30 days car wash and to that I said yes
      I went through once in those $30 days and haven’t gone through since and yesterday I received a charge for $54.00 on my card. After going back to the store to talk to someone about this unknown charge the man was very unprofessional and had a bad attitude and when I said I’m gonna have to talk to someone higher up he rudely replied “go for it”
      I then spoke to a woman on the phone who told me there was no way for a refund and when I asked for further explanation she acted as though it was an inconvenience. The real inconvenience is this company stealing money from me. There was no explanation that it would be a monthly payment nor that there would be a $20 up charge after those 30 days. The woman also stated that tidal wave had messaged me on July 14th about the “upcoming charges” and I have attached photo proof below that I did not receive a message that said anything about more expenses as I would have immediately canceled. I have not even been there in the past 30 days and just want my money back.
    • Initial Complaint

      Date:08/12/2024

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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 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

      Date:08/08/2024

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      UnansweredMore info

      Complaint statuses

      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 **** *** 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.

    BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

    BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.

    When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

    BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period, except for customer reviews. Customer reviews posted prior to July 5, 2024, will no longer be published when they reach three years from their submission date. Customer reviews posted on/after July 5, 2024, will be published indefinitely unless otherwise voluntarily retracted by the user who submitted the content, or BBB no longer believes the review is authentic. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this company, please let them know that you checked their record with BBB.

    As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation. BBB charges a fee for BBB Accreditation. This fee supports BBB's efforts to fulfill its mission of advancing marketplace trust.