RIP OFF!
If you go anyway MY ADVICE:
I was forced to buy an ID Card (see below) which does bear the signature of the doctor on site, but it is written using a felt tip pen (which can be wiped off with a casual rub of a finger). As soon as you can, get a piece of Scotch Tape and completely cover the signature and until you do-DON'T TOUCH IT!
GETTING THERE
The office is located in a corner strip mall on the North-West corner of Sepulveda and Vanowen, next to a 7-Eleven. The several small businesses which share the very small parking lot are very territorial of their assigned parking spaces. If you park for longer than 20 minutes in a parking space reserved for a company at which you are not transacting business they will have you towed. This is especially true for people who are seen to go into the office being here reviewed. Unless you can get the ONE (1) parking space reserved for "patients" do not park there at all! SWIM* suggests parking at the Fresh and Easy lot which is on the South-East corner of the intersection instead.
The office does not have any easily distinguishable signage which would help to identify that it is located next to the 7-Eleven.
BUSINESS MODEL
Cash and Dash Pot Prescription Service is about the best I can come up with. This is an example of an industry which exists entirely as a result of legislation, similar to the Smog Check industry. In both cases no consumer demand would exist for the services offered if it weren't for the State mandating their patronage. However, due in large part to the stigma attached to those who come into contact with such businesses (particularly with respect to reluctance to seek assistance from law enforcement) this industry operates as is it were in the old Wild West. Customer service is nearly non-existent and practices like Bait-and-Switch are pursued with zeal.
THE EXPERIENCE
SWIM arrived a little after 1pm seeking to renew a prescription which he had obtained from the same clinic a year earlier. From previous experience he knew that this company honors coupons from, or will match prices published by, their competitors. TIP: Find their ad in LA WEEKLY and bring it with you because the prices advertised are significantly lower (about $20 less) than what they charge a walk-in customer. Another TIP: Do NOT make an appointment, signs posted in the waiting room specifically state that they will not honor coupons or discounts for customers who have an appointment. As soon as the sign was seen, SWIM mysteriously forgot about his appointment.
After a brief wait in line SWIM was given a packet of six or seven forms to fill out. Upon completion he returned the documents and handed over his previous prescription, CDL and an advertisement from a competitor offering renewals for $20. After about 1.5 hours SWIM was escorted into a small office. After asking a few questions the doctor showed SWIM into the back office area where he was left in the hands of the office staff.
The office assistant stated that the amount due was $45 and immediately began to state the virtues of their "official ID Card". SWIM told her that he didn't want the ID Card and also pointed out that he had brought in an ad for $20. She assured him that the discount had been applied and said that the additional $20 was a prepayment for future follow-up office visits that the government had began requiring. SWIM stated that no such mandate was in place and asked to speak with the manager. A second clerk joined the discussion and said that their office had implemented a new policy which gave patients a choice of prepaying $20 for an additional three follow up visits (every three months) or paying "a lot more" later at the time of each follow up visit. Here's the SCAM part: if you pay the $20 then your "follow-up" visits are on paper only, but if you opt to pay later then they deactivate the validation of the prescription if you do not physically show up at the clinic every three months! SWIM protested, loudly, and was told that he was free to go elsewhere. Unfortunately, as much as he wanted to tell them where they could put their card, he had already invested 2 hours into his endeavor and was not willing to go elsewhere-so he paid the extra $20. It is sincerely hoped that YOU will take your business elsewhere thereby avenging the robbery experienced by SWIM.
. Caveat Emptor!
*Due to the nature of the business being regularly conducted by the company being reviewed the foregoing review is written from the point of view of Someone Who Isn't Me ("SWIM"). Furthermore, subject to the Law of the State of California and under the penalty of perjury I hereby affirm that if a prescription was provided for any medication whatsoever it shall not be used because I have not ever, nor will ever, obtain, or seek to obtain, any substance which the Federal Government has classified as a controlled substance. read more