Was I being a CF?

[101stNC]

I have regular treatments at a private aesthetics clinic, ran by a husband and wife.

Before lockdown they were running a promotion, offering the treatment I usually have at a reduced rate.

I booked in but the appointment was cancelled due to the pandemic hitting.

The wife of the couple sent me a text and said she had spoken with her husband and because I'm a loyal customer they will honour the discounted price next time I go.

Fast forward to now and they have been given the go ahead to reopen at a reduced capacity so i booked in.

It was just the husband in today so when I arrived I queried whether the discounted rate still applied and he said he didn't have a clue what I was talking about. I told him about the text from his wife and offered to show him, he said it wasn't necessary as he believed me but also because customers can't use their phones inside the practice. They are taking several precautions due to the virus.

He explained that because they've not been taking bookings for three months they're not in a position to do that, to which I replied that I understood completely and am more than happy to pay full price.

I don't know whether it was due to my embarrassment but the atmosphere was then very awkward and uncomfortable.

Was I being a CF?

[101stNC]

No need to apologise but thank you, yes I'm currently in therapy and feeling considerably better but still have to work on rebuilding my confidence. Especially in situations like this.

[RHRA]

Are the husband and wife team dentists OP?

[101stNC]

Not as far as I'm aware no

[DarklyDreamingDexter]

I think you should text them to let them know you are not going back. Let them know they have lost a good, regular customer for the sake of £50. I appreciate you don’t like face to face confrontation, but behind the safety net of a text message I think it’s worth texting the wife to let her know. Write the text, take a deep breath and press send! You’ll feel better for it once it’s done! Baby steps and all that!

[101stNC]

I think I'm just going to leave it, though I can understand why people think I should ask to discuss.

If anybody happens to guess which practice this is can I ask you please don't relay my thread, it was awkward enough as it is and I really don't want any animosity.

I've had nothing but good experiences previously and I'm sad that this happened.

I don't want to cause them any hassle or anything.

[101stNC]

I've to be as vague as possible so I'm not identified but somebody will probably suss me

Thank you for the contributions. I appreciate the perspectives and I feel much less CF!

[UrgentDoughnut]

I'd definitely text the wife pleasantly and query this.

Re posters saying they didn't think these places could open. They can - I had my Botox yesterday. However they are only open providing certain criteria is met for treatment and the dr performing the procedure is in PPE and other practices are put in place too

[UrgentDoughnut]

@secretsout that's not true. Providing you meet the criteria (so basically you say you are experiencing perhaps, self esteem issues which are affecting you, due to you not being able to have your treatment) then your dr can inject you

And I know this because I'm an aesthetics doctor myself. I choose not to do my own treatments however

[Secretsout]

I'm sorry urgentdoughnutbut you are absolutely wrong here.

I'm not sure who has advised you that it's ok to inject right now.

These treatments are not allowed until at least 6th July when we've had further guidance from government.

Insurers are not covering aesthetics at all.

[ilikefastcars]

You were not CF. He was, you were overcharged and I would consider writing a letter addressed to her asking her to refund the difference.
Also they should not be open. They gave not been given the all clear yet!!

[UrgentDoughnut]

@Secretsout


The British College of Aesthetic Medicine has informed its members that they are allowed to re open their clinics for patients with medical concerns and this also includes treatments which improve or maintain your psychological / mental health from 1st June. These include:
• Botulinum toxin to treat headaches, bruxism (teeth grinding), excessive sweating and also to improve your psychological well being.
• Rosacea
• Acne and acne scarring and other scars
• Dermatological conditions eg Eczema, Psoriasis
• Pigmentation - Melasma, Solar Lentigoes (sun spots)
• Hirsuitism - Excessive facial hair in women
• Dermal Filler treatments which improve your psychological well being.
• Profhilo if this treatment improves your psychological well being.

[UrgentDoughnut]

From the 6th of July is indeed for purely cosmetic procedures

So, you are incorrect. But I can't be bothered to argue the toss with you any further - maybe read up properly?

[Secretsout]

urgentdoughnut. I'm well aware that BCAM hired a QC to put this together.

I personally wouldn't take my chances in court trying to use that as my basis to practice when I'd clearly gone against government guidelines. So I wish you all the best.

[lockdownstress]

FFS. Botox? Now? 🤦🏻‍♀️
Clearly against the law and daft thing to do.

[101stNC]

I wasn't aware I was doing anything wrong when I booked in.

Shops are opening Monday and I saw it as being no different. There were alot of protective measures in place. Practitioner in full PPE and stringent measures in place for the customer.

A blanket email was sent to all customers saying they are now able to take bookings again so that said to me that they had been cleared to reopen again.

[101stNC]

I'm not opposing the posters who are saying it's illegal to open by the way, they know more than I do.

I was defending my decision to go.

[lockdownstress]

Does it seem likely that cosmetic clinics will be legally open when hairdressers and restaurants are shut? I'd report them to the police. They won't be paying tax on the money as they can't as its illegal to earn it. Fuckers like this make me so cross. Bet they claimed government help too.

[101stNC]

I just didn't consider that to be honest. It didn't occur that they were doing anything wrong and they've always been very professional.

I certainly won't be reporting them, it's not in my nature.

[lockdownstress]

Very professional law breakers and likely tax avoiders.

[101stNC]

I don't know, I don't know the ins and outs. AFAIKnew everything was above board. I wouldn't want to damage somebodies livelihood regardless.

[Secretsout]

Spot on lockdownstress

[Secretsout]

101stNC. I'm sorry for de-railing your thread in to a discussion about the legalism moral side of our industry.

You haven't done anything wrong at all. How would you know that your reputable clinic is going against government guidelines.

[101stNC]

No apology necessary, I'm genuinely interested in the legalities as it wasn't something I had actually considered.

An oversight on my end perhaps.