I am very dissatisfied with my experience here.
Over a month ago, I called to inquire about scheduling an exam. I was told by a front office member that the out of pocket cost would $128. I explicitly asked if this included an exam for both a glasses and contact prescription. I was told "absolutely it did".
Fast forward a month later to the day of that visit. After a 35 minute wait, I was called into an exam room. The visit was fairly normal. At one point he asked if I was considering contacts or glasses. I told him I was still debating. When the exam was over, I was sent to the front desk to pay the $128 and was handed the script signed by Dr. Melnik. I didn't realize at the time that he hadn't written a script for both, just glasses... not even 5 minutes after I'd told him I hadn't decided which and asked for both options. The woman in the front asked if I wanted to discuss fitting for glasses or try on contacts and I reiterated my previous response to the doctor that I was still debating the pros/cons. She told me to come back in when I'd decided on either and said I could walk in anytime during business hours and I would be helped. I regret not getting her name.
A week later I came back. As soon as I told the two woman at the front desk I was there to try on contacts, they stared back at me with puzzled expressions. After a quiet, brief word between them, I was told that I would need to schedule an appointment to meet with the doctor for an exam and to have a staff member demonstrate proper contact wear and care. I was confused and taken aback.. I'd just seen the doctor, why would I need to see him again? I came in, like I had been told to, when I'd made my decision about which to wear... I countered back and repeated what I was told after the previous visit- I could walk-in at any time.
One of the women told me that she wasn't sure who told me that, but that it was incorrect. She smiled and offered to schedule an appointment for the contact fitting. Not wanting to go through another of their "miscommunications", I asked if I would be charged. "Yes", I was told, "It'll be $90. Can I schedule you for an appointment?"
I told her I didn't think I should be charged for their inadequacy. She said that was just how it is and asked again if she could schedule an appointment.
An appointment that would cost $90 on top of the $120 I was QUOTED AND HAD ALREADY PAID. Why would I even need to see the doctor again after I had JUST seen him... and what office charges $90 for a random staff member (not even the doctor) to show them how to put in a contact lens? Utterly bizarre.
I asked to speak with a manager... she smiled sweetly and said she was the manager. Again she asked to schedule an appointment and I just walked out, saying I'd call if I needed their services. I did call- about 20 minutes later, after I had finished fuming- and requested to leave a message for Dr. Melnik to call me back.
The next day he called. I told him what had happened and he didn't care. Not one bit. He told me that seeing him for $128 was just a 'consult' and the "actual exam" would be an additional $90... but then... why would he give me ANY kind of script if I hadn't been examined? I'm sure the California State Board of Optometry would love to hear of that... if he's even board certified. He quoted his receptionist, "well, that's just how it is." Realizing he had no intention of acknowledging his staff's error, nor his outlandish consult vs exam explanation, I hung up.
So now I have to find another optometrist to just be able to SEE, and pay for another exam fee. Guaranteed I'll be asking the front office to provide a quote... surely all the offices in the valley aren't as blundering as the insolent 'professionals' occupying this business.
Prospective clients, consider this review. I wish someone had warned me when I visited this page.
And to Dr. Melnik, it's time to retire. Maybe you cared about your business and patients 20 years ago... you've clearly lost that ability. And Elizabeth? I just so admire your condescending tone with clients. If I could somehow acquire that skill, I'm sure my own patients would just adore me.
Thank you for making my experience with you a memorable one. I certainly won't be forgetting your proficiency any time soon. read more