<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Dec 7, 2008
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I refer to last Sunday's article, 'Lasik price wars'.
I almost fell prey to a Lasik clinic's hard-sell tactics.
At first, I was impressed by the many sophisticated machine tests at the clinic that lasted for three hours, and the hour-long counselling by its good-looking staff.
But later, I was left feeling confused and fuming.
An optometrist there informed me that my left eye was my dominant eye, instead of my right one.
She claimed I had been wrongly diagnosed by my personal optometrist of five years.
I was asked to place a full payment before leaving the clinic, in order to enjoy the promotional rates.
But I left the clinic, insisting that I should try wearing contact lenses to test if I was really left-eye-dominant first before making any decision.
The clinic followed up with calls to ask about my condition, although I had not yet tried the lenses. The staff said I should secure the promotional rates by making an appointment.
After checking the prices for the standard Lasik procedure, I withdrew $3,100 from my savings, and went to make payment.
When I arrived, I was told I had 'steep corneas', which would require a bladeless procedure that would cost me $3,888 before goods and services tax.
I saw red upon hearing this.
The senior surgeon had not informed me I had 'steep corneas' during my evaluation, and had given me the impression that I could have a standard procedure.
The clinic then slashed the price by $200, but I still refused to sign.
Later, I was informed that I could opt for a standard procedure for one eye, and a bladeless procedure for the other eye, which would save me another $200 - but I had to have the operations done by end-October.
I stomped out of the clinic fuming.
I found such conduct unprofessional - the clinic was out to make money, not to help me see better.
I have since visited another clinic, which does not advertise or engage in a price war and has been very patient.
And guess what? I am actually right-eye-dominant. Connie Loh (Ms)
<!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start -->
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I refer to last Sunday's article, 'Lasik price wars'.
I almost fell prey to a Lasik clinic's hard-sell tactics.
At first, I was impressed by the many sophisticated machine tests at the clinic that lasted for three hours, and the hour-long counselling by its good-looking staff.
But later, I was left feeling confused and fuming.
An optometrist there informed me that my left eye was my dominant eye, instead of my right one.
She claimed I had been wrongly diagnosed by my personal optometrist of five years.
I was asked to place a full payment before leaving the clinic, in order to enjoy the promotional rates.
But I left the clinic, insisting that I should try wearing contact lenses to test if I was really left-eye-dominant first before making any decision.
The clinic followed up with calls to ask about my condition, although I had not yet tried the lenses. The staff said I should secure the promotional rates by making an appointment.
After checking the prices for the standard Lasik procedure, I withdrew $3,100 from my savings, and went to make payment.
When I arrived, I was told I had 'steep corneas', which would require a bladeless procedure that would cost me $3,888 before goods and services tax.
I saw red upon hearing this.
The senior surgeon had not informed me I had 'steep corneas' during my evaluation, and had given me the impression that I could have a standard procedure.
The clinic then slashed the price by $200, but I still refused to sign.
Later, I was informed that I could opt for a standard procedure for one eye, and a bladeless procedure for the other eye, which would save me another $200 - but I had to have the operations done by end-October.
I stomped out of the clinic fuming.
I found such conduct unprofessional - the clinic was out to make money, not to help me see better.
I have since visited another clinic, which does not advertise or engage in a price war and has been very patient.
And guess what? I am actually right-eye-dominant. Connie Loh (Ms)
<!-- end of for each --><!-- Current Ratings : start --><!-- Current Ratings : end --><!-- vbbintegration : start -->
