Be warned. I made an appt to see a podiatrist because I wanted to go straight to the most skilled resource for my foot problem and not waste time seeing a primary doctor only to be referred to a specialist. Part of seeing a specialist not only gives me access to someone with specialized skills, but also access to the specialized tools to perform their specialty right there in their office. For example, ENT's have certain scopes in their offices that regular doctors would not, orthopaedic surgeons have XRay machines while regular doctors would not, etc. Unfortunately the day I went to this office their XRay machine was down. I overheard the receptionist talking about it to another patient who was being asked to come back another day because they couldn't do an XRay, even though he had already seen the doctor. So I inquire about what that means for my visit and they try their best to get me to see the doctor even though I will have to come back at a later time for an XRay. Yeah, right. I'm here to not waste time, remember? So I tell them they should have called me ahead of time to save me the trip and explain that I'm not going to proceed with the appointment if it means I have to come back for an XRay at a later time because their machine is down. I will find another Podiatrist because you know what they say about 1st impressions... and they loused up my 1st impression of them for sure.
So, I thought that was behind me until 3 months later they have the nerve to send me a bill for a No Show appointment. Talk about adding insult to injury. OK, first, I was there, sitting in their waiting room and conversing with their receptionist... signed in and everything to prove it. Not my fault they weren't equipped to see me with all the resources one should expect a podiatrist to have readily available. Second, are they really this hard up for money that they have to resort to extortion? Do I think my bill for a No Show is a clerical mistake? No, I think they are unscrupulous, untrustworthy, irrational and arrogant crooks who desperately need some business ethical training. Third, I never agreed to paying a no show fee (which is irrelevant because let's not forget the fact that I didn't pull a no show). It would be just like if I sent them a bill for the hour I lost from work and the gas I used to get to their place when they weren't equipped to provide service to me in the first place. They didn't agree to pay me for my wasted time and gas so why would I feel justified in billing them for it? Fourth, I will never pay a sheistser trying to shake me down to get something for nothing. Never. Is that how we do business in America? No, consumers are protected from shady business practices. They should most definitely apologize and try to show good faith if they don't want the kind of reputation they are currently building for themselves.
FYI, I believe my appt was with Dr. Vega, who acted as though he could care less of the situation when the receptionist told him I was concerned that my appt would be for naught since their XRay machine was down. Shame on him too. He should have done more to prevent his office from behaving like crooks months after I was there, but really his mannerisms were very much saying he could care less about my concerns. read more
