To be suspicious of clinic wanting money upfront?

[viccy009]

I am trying to book some treatments and I found a clinic about 15 minutes from where I live.

I have an appointment booked for tomorrow and I find the whole establishment very dodgy.

For a start they don't have a landline number and all contact is done via mobile.
The website domain expired some years ago by the looks of it.

Initially the "nurse" wanted me to come today but I couldn't make it and then she was like "well if I am community based on Thursdays and won't be available until Friday".

Then she text me earlier on to advise me that she had a cancellation for tomorrow and could not fit me in.

She sent me a payment link with an invoice and expects me to pay £250 before the appointment which I find very shady.

Am I right in thinking this maybe a con?

Check that they are indeed a registered nurse and on the register. If they are a nurse prescriber, this should be noted on their registration too. You can search with just a 1st and surname. https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/search-the-register/

Its a requirement to have a consultation first- and during that, it might be decided that you only need 1 place done, none at all or 3 areas. I'm therefore unsure how they can charge beforehand- without having conducted this consultation first? A deposit, yes I can understand, that gets taken off the total cost or refunded if no treatment is given, but paying the whole amount beforehand if worrying.

I'd also be concerned where this is taking place? A garage, room in their house, room they have hired? What medical equipment do they have on hand for an emergency? Adrenaline etc in a case of an anaphylactic reaction? It does sound dodgy IMO.

Jesus. More research before you book.

Absolutely not a chance

No way, there are lots of red flags that you mentioned. Also the almost instant availability is another red flag. Most reputable places would have a longer wait and a waiting list for a cancellation.

Please trust your gut instinct. When i
Wanted Botox (and I also decided on the day to go for fillers as I was so impressed with the whole operation) I asked around my friends and got recommendations. I had something else done elsewhere (cosmetic) and I asked the surgeon for recommendations too. The surgeon and a friend recommended the same lady who practices at a Bupa hospital and has been doing it for 30 years. She is also a nurse. I then went online and read about her on the Bupa website, found reviews about her, rang and asked loads of questions. She wasn't cheap and I had to wait about 2 months for an appointment but I wouldn't do it any other way. This your face they're injecting things in to! And done pay upfront, that does sound dodgy.

Hi yes so I just blocked her and she kept sending me email invoices with a payment link.

It is very suspicious and the urgency to get me booked in asap.

And are they a trading company on the company’s house website

@Grmumpy
No they aren't, I couldn't find anything on Companies House