Richard A. Covello, LAC

Oct 2014

I had an Amazon Local voucher for acupuncture. I have to say that I never made it for the acupuncture. I arrived for my first appointment and there was a sign on the door saying "Be back in 5 mins. Rick". I poked around the tile shop next door. At 10 mins past my appt time, I called the number on the door. It was an answering service. I started to feel uncomfortable that "Rick" and I would be alone doing the acupuncture. When Rick arrived (almost 15 mins after my appt time), he gruffly said "Come on in." He seemed annoyed that I had called the number. I said "Okay, you have five minutes to redeem yourself." He said "Why??" I said "Because I feel really uncomfortable." He said "DIDN'T you SEE the sign??" No apology. No professionalism or kindness. I left. I would avoid this place. He may be the most technically proficient acupuncturist, but his "bedside manner" and common courtesy SUCKS.

Aug 2014

I've never had accupuncture before, so I can't say whether Richard Covello is a good acupuncturist or not. He is lousy at customer service, that's for sure! He was not in the least bit welcoming and even though he read on my form that it was my first time getting accupuncture he made no attempt to give me any information or make me feel welcome or comfortable. (Perhaps it's because I bought 6 sessions through Groupon). When I asked him how he got into accupuncture he said,"I'm going to go xyz and I'll tell you when I come back" ("xyz" meaning I have no idea what he said). That was just as he was about done putting the needles in, so he left and came back about 50 minutes later! He never said anyrthing to me about how he got into it The room had six large fluorescent lights which were way too bright, especially when he came back in the room and flipped them back on without warning! It was not at all the kind of atmosphere one would expect of such a place, it was not calm and relaxing at all. The music that was piped in (soft rock) went off after several minutes and didn't come back on for about 30 minutes. Even if it was playing, I would not have been able to enjoy it because Richard left the door open a bit so I heard all of his phone conversations as he was calling clients. I have no intention of returning (even though I paid for six visits) and I would not GIVE the punch card away to someone, that's how bad it was. Oh - I forgot the part about him asking me why I was there, which was for weight loss. He began to talk to me about some healthy behaviors and the way he was talking made me feel judged. I told him I don't need any more information, I have all the info I need, what I DO need is motivation. When he returned and took the needles out he said to me, "Now what are you going to do? I've done MY part." What a jerk!!!

Aug 2014

Not welcoming to new clients. Not an actual business but a collection of providers. Purchased a voucher through Amazon local, called within the expiration window, was only offered an appointment 5 weeks out. Called day of to confirm- no problem. Arrived for appointment to be told no therapist available, no record of appointment and no remedy offered. Lousy experience to be looking forward to a massage and leave more stressed and frustrated than I arrived.