Clinic putting prices up after my quote. What to do? (UK)

[Geemic88]

Wondering what you guys think I should do in a case like this.

I had a consultation late last year with a certain clinic in London, have to say I was happy with what was discussed and after a few weeks of pondering decided I would proceed with this doctor and get surgery done, unfortunately there was quite a long wait between booking the date and getting surgery done and due to commitments I could not commit to the available dates in the Spring.

I made the decision to have it done in the Autumn, which I cleared with the clinic and we decided we would liase just before the summer to book, HOWEVER now a spanner has been thrown in the works, as I have now been informed the treatment price will infact be nearly £1000 MORE than what I was quoted and agreed on at the consultation. (Due to them putting their prices up in general)

I feel slightly resentful about this, as part of my decision making was the price. I feel deflated somewhat and am considering now going back to the other places where I had booked consultations, as I cancelled them due to being set on this particular doctor.

Is 'haggling' even an option in this type of scenario? And if so some advice on how to word it would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[Kevboy]

Supply and demand will have an impact on prices. You could ask them to honour the original price as a goodwill gesture or be put on a cancellation short list.
Do you know how far in advance they are booked?

 

[Geemic88]

Supply and demand will have an impact on prices. You could ask them to honour the original price as a goodwill gesture or be put on a cancellation short list.
Do you know how far in advance they are booked?

Hi, it's about 3 - 4 months! I did ask about cancellation list when previously wanting to book in the winter but they said the list was big so I likely wouldn't get called up anyway.
Due to work etc I can't do it till September now anyway.
I do wish they had of warned about hiking the prices up!

 

[Kevboy]

See what the other clinics offer. Which clinic was it that put the prices up?

 

[Bigmac]

In situations like this it would be good practice by the clinic to inform prospective patients of an impending price rise. However, some may see this as a sales pitch, book now or it will cost you more later. I think all you can do is explain the situation and hope they give you the original price. If not, you’ll have to weigh up if they’re worth the extra. Otherwise, you keep researching for a different clinic.

What is your hair loss situation?

 

[Geemic88]

In situations like this it would be good practice by the clinic to inform prospective patients of an impending price rise. However, some may see this as a sales pitch, book now or it will cost you more later. I think all you can do is explain the situation and hope they give you the original price. If not, you’ll have to weigh up if they’re worth the extra. Otherwise, you keep researching for a different clinic.

What is your hair loss situation?

I have frontal recession mostly at temples which happened years ago, when I pull my hair back its a horrible looking peak. Luckily for the past few years it has not progressed, I started taking Finasteride and Minoxidil last year as I got really serious about having the transplant.

I suffer quite badly with anxiety, going abroad would be difficult enough let alone going away for surgery! Otherwise I would have had this done and dusted with Dr Bisanga in Belgium a while ago.

London is a couple of hours away and I had arranged pick up etc from the clinic, so I do feel having it done there would be the best option. I cant think of any other clinics in the south other than Dr Ball, who I have had to rule out for being a little 'too conservative'. Though having said that, I still want a sensible job done which is why I went with the surgeon I chose as he meets somewhere in the middle of being conservative and 'going for it' with the hairline. If that makes sense!
The surgeon I wanted to book with was going to do somewhere in the region of 1600 grafts.

I would say I have been quite particular, I am not wanting to gamble with this by going to any lesser known surgeons, stuff like 'maximum grafts for £2k' which I have been seeing lately just looks bonkers to me and screams cowboys.

One of my other consultations was going to be with 'Harley Street Hair Clinic', but I cant find enough information about the surgeons there, it is also quite abit more expensive (though via video call they did quote more grafts) and it seems like a bigger outfit, which might be where the money goes.

I think I will attempt to ask for my quoted price or somewhere more in that region, to be honest I would have thought they would have just honoured the price quoted in the (very expensive) consultation anyway, just seems like good and fair business practice, though obviously I understand they are under no obligation to do so!

 

[Bigmac]

Traveling to the continent by train is easy and efficient. A few hour ride it doesn’t feel like you’re out the country.

You can only try with the price. If no luck, then go elsewhere if you don’t think the extra cost is worth it.

 

[aizaz123]

this is so unprofessional and unethical to increase the price even when it was settled I think you can look around any other clinics you cant do anything with that

 

[Clarkyboy1971]

U.K. Has some elite drs that do more with less grafts to achieve a tremendous illusion of density ! It’s not all about packing in half a patients donor supply in the hairline.. Five pounds per graft is what your looking at for a top dr. Of course you could find cheaper abroad, but once you factor in travel, hotel, time of work, the difference will not be as significant.

 

[Geemic88]

U.K. Has some elite drs that do more with less grafts to achieve a tremendous illusion of density ! It’s not all about packing in half a patients donor supply in the hairline.. Five pounds per graft is what your looking at for a top dr. Of course you could find cheaper abroad, but once you factor in travel, hotel, time of work, the difference will not be as significant.

I thought only Dr Ball was at that price point and Dr Reddy I think his name is?

Any thoughts on the Westminster Medical Centre? It's listed on this site but I had never heard of it before