Soak Nail Massage Spa

I have had acrylic manicures and gel manicures in the past.  I have never been impressed gel manicures. They end up lifting on the sides (which I realize is fairly common), and then when I need to get them redone, the manicurist has to soak them in acetone and scrape them off.  I prefer acrylics since they just fill-in the growth and don't scrape them off and start over.
I have been trying to find a nail salon in the Springfield area for about a year now.  I love the look of manicured nails, but sometime find it a pain to keep them up (I live outside Springfield).  I decided to try Soak after they won the 2014 Illinois Times' "Best of" category for nail salons (beating out BJ Grand Salon!).
When I went in, I was really surprised by all the people there.  There were at least 6 family members, including small children, sitting and mingling in the reception area.  There were only 2 chairs left for customers.  I found this rather odd.  There was a young man at the reception desk, who asked me to write my name, the service I wanted, and the time I arrived on a clip board.  As I was doing this, an older gentleman (probably the owner) asked me what service I wanted.  I said I wanted a French acrylic set.  He looked at my nails, and said my nails were nice and I didn't need acrylics.  I explained that I've had acrylics and gels, and I really don't like gels. I was actually adamant that I didn't want a gel manicure.  He said that since my nails are small (I have small hands) and I had decent growth, I should just get "shellac."  I assumed shellac was different from gels.
I waited about 5 minutes for a manicurist.  There was a lot of "hustle and bustle" in the shop: at least 5 manicurists working in the front area of the shop, and lots of family members walking back and forth. I didn't mind this, but it would bother someone who wants a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
The manicurist was extremely friendly and spoke excellent English, and.... proceeded to give me a gel manicure (clear with white tips).  He did an okay job; two fingers ended up with tiny chips on the ends just a few days later, and I noticed he didn't "paint" all the way to the nail edge on my right thumb.  When I was finished, the owner (back at the reception counter) asked if I like them and I said, yes, they're fine, and he said I could come back for a touch-up if they chipped.
The point of writing this review is that I find it very strange that I was talked out of an acrylic manicure, especially when I said specifically that I don't like gel manicures.  A customer should get what they ask for.  My guess is that acrylics are more time consuming for the same amount of money as gels.