I needed a yellow fever shot for an upcoming trip and called a few places around town to get the best price. Their website advertises in huge glowing blue letters on a yellow background that the price for a yellow fever vaccination is $95.
But when I called, and I'm glad I did, I was quoted the price of $130. They claimed that it included some sort of "consultation fee."
After calling a few other places, the next cheapest would have been $135 so I came here, even though I felt like they were somewhat sketchy and... I was right.
The girls in the front were friendly enough and I walked in around 11:30am, expecting to be gone by noon so I could go eat. I waited in that room with a man who kept on pacing around the room and would coincidentally PAUSE between my field of vision and the TV, despite it being obvious that I was trying to watch it. So I moved. And his son played a beeping video game the entire time, for about an hour. I was getting really hungry and restless because I expected to be out of there fast. They had tons of magazines but nothing that you'd actually want to read. The best one that I could find was a Nordstorm catalog.
They also had a huge TV that played some sort of ad for the clinic, along with short clips of Seinfeld, various movies, and music videos. Then, the screen would show beautiful shots of nature with huge gaudy print over it, assuring us that our peace of mind is their priority and that they will call our name soon.
Twice I was asked to come to the front to verify my name. Apparently, they really have a hard time with the six letters total that comprise my entire name. Guess they don't see many Asians there.
Finally, I was called in to wait in a different room. The "doctor" came in and talked to me for 1 minute and tried to convince me to get a bunch of other shots "recommended by the CDC" for traveling to my destination. When I refused, he just left and I paid the $130, they gave me a certificate, and then one of the girls who works at the reception came in and gave me a shot on the arm that took all of 5 seconds and I was allowed to leave. This 5 second shot and 1 minute upsell "consultation," oh and a 2 minute blood pressure check and height and weight check, happened after about 1 hr and 25 minutes of waiting and $130. And this guy is more successful than God. He's opened a bunch of clinics and I can see why. $130 for a 5 second shot delivered by a receptionist certainly keeps costs and efficiency low.
Coming here for a routine vaccine was fine but I have as much confidence in this "doctor" as I would consulting with some working the fryers at your local burger joint. If you have a real medical issue, I'd avoid this place like a fat kid avoids salad. read more