To think I should get a refund?

[openupthedoor]

I paid £150 for a consultation. I’d followed the clinic for ages on Instagram and when I say I was shocked when I walked in, it was scruffy and smelt like someone had just cooked their lunch.

I was brought in the room to see the doctor. It had plastic chairs, with fluffy cushions and a canvas picture of Marilyn Monroe. It just didn’t look professional.

I went about dark circles, they advertise so many different treatments which is why I went there and travelled all the way to London and the only treatment ghe doctor suggested was - botox.

I had to list the treatments I thought might work and it shouldn’t be on me to suggest suitable treatments. There was also a language barrier.

I made a complaint and was told “well the doctor has 19 years experience. We aren’t going to refund you”

No W1

Surely this is false advertising?

Did you check the GMC register to see if they are indeed a registered Dr to start with, and whether they have any specialist qualifications in say aesthetics/plastic surgery?
https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing/the-medical-register
Sounds very dodgy to me.

No not Harley Street. It was just off Oxford Street.

Also tbh HS is just a name some shitty clinics hide behind too. Like you can just rent a room out.

If I wanted any facial or other private medical treatments I would only go to a BUPA hospital. They have proper doctors and clean clinics.

I don’t like chain hospitals. I’ve been to Spire and was not impressed.

As a family we've had several things done at their hospitals and always been happy with the treatments.

You got a consultation. It’s a flat fee whether you like the doctor or not.
Unless it was clearly a scam, you are not due a refund.

No all she did was offer Botox.

I would expect them to suggest treatments for the specific reason I’m there. Otherwise what’s the point of the consultation.

Sigh, Botox is a treatment for dark under eye circles so that is still a consultation. A consultation doesn’t need to result in being offered multiple treatments. It doesn’t have to be a high quality good consultation to be a consultation. £150 is cheap as far as private specialist consultation goes. I had one a few months ago and it was £375 for 15mins. You often get what you pay for.

They suggested Botox for dark circles? Good grief.
Also never heard of anywhere charging for a consultation for that type of low level cosmetic treatment, and certainly not £150!
Sorry you've been ripped off OP, but I would move on and thank your lucky stars you didn't get any treatment from them!

As someone who has research this topic vastly botox does not treat dark circles.

You do realise MULTIPLE factors cause dark circles right?

Was the problem that they dont actually offer any more treatments other than botox in spite of advertising that they do, or that they dont think you are suitable for any other treatments other than botox after meeting with you?

Well I just paid £380 for a surgeon who does fat transfer. So I’m well aware of the cost of consultations darling.

No that all she intended to offer was botox.Which wouldn’t do anything. They are constantly advertising treatments for my exact issue.

Of course you are, just like you know all the best clinics are only on Instagram and TikTok.

(the reality is that these are unregulated shop fronts for bogus clinics luring in victims for botch jobs. Your research for a reputable clinic should not be on Instagram)

If they are a scam, and it is likely imho, you may be due a refund but you won’t get one.

unlikely to get a full refund but maybe a partial refund.

I would contact the health ombudsman

Oh dear, this thread got unpleasant quite quickly 😕

I would have done more research than following on Instagram before paying upfront for a consultation.

@openupthedoor Not a fan of Spire either. Recently I paid £220 for a consultation for a treatment I was told when booking the appointment would be 8/9K. Had the consultation. Got a letter telling me it would actually be 14/15K. I wouldn't have wasted the £220 if they had told me the real price up front because I couldn't justify that. But that's a way to make their money. The clinic was shabby and the staff were stood about moaning. Really unhappy.

Yes, I’ve been to Manchester which is apparently their flagship and it looked no different to what you described.

I decided to go abroad for surgery after seeing six UK doctors who gave me no confidence and I absolutely love my result.