Cancel that check quick like a bunny!
doing it…terrified but doing it…*
-
It’s NOT binding. It’s actually considered inappropriate to make you sign a contract like that because you should never be committed to anything you haven’t yet received. Like I mentioned before, there is a class action lawsuit being filed for this exact practice against the biggest chain in the US which gets a ton of bad reviews everywhere.
-
This is NOT considered writing a bad check. That would be you writing a check when there is no money in your account to cover it and not telling the party. This is CANCELLING a check AFTER informing the party. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact, that’s in part why the bank allows this. you’re really worried for no reason here.
-
In terms of being scared of this doctor, pelase don’t be. No one should feel intimidated like that. You don’t owe anyone anything. They offered a service (actually sort of pushed one on you with a heavy sales pitch with misinformation) and you changed your mind. It happens and there is nothing wrong with it. Refer to that line Chance pointed out above in your email. Say that you discovered that this was a possibility (I’m talking about induced growth, which Chance refered to by its official name) and decided it wasn’t worth the risk. They didn’t inform you about this risk, so that’s their fault.
Thank you SO much for all of your support.
I just canceled the check through my online banking account. It said it may take up to a day to process…but that it would technically take effect immediately.
Yeah, I normally get intimidated by people “in power” who seem corrupt and deceptive and whom I challenge on that…I just sort of picture the absolute worst case scenerio… (or perhaps beyond that, I have an active imagination). I get extremely anxious and scared for a while, and sometimes just need a reality check, and then I guess eventually it passes.
This is the e-mail I sent the doctor:
"Hello,
I am writing to inform you that I am canceling the contract because of a serious discrepancy between what was advertised on the website and the way the packages were sold to me during to me during my free consult. Do not the cash the check I wrote on 6/23/09, as I have canceled it.
I was under the impression that my consultation would be either with a Dr. or R.N, as was described in your FAQ. It was not. This is especially important to me, because as I indicated on the sheet that I filled out, I am being treated for chronic medical conditions and am on medication. I was caught off guard when I realized that the consultation was not what the website had led me to believe it would be.
Thank you very and best regards
(My full Name)"
edited to add…sorry I forgot to mentioned what Choice said about the possibility of induced growth, though I did ask about it in another e-mail. I guess I could have said more but I was so nervous to get it over with!
edited again to add: I just sent that to the e-mail that the dr has been responding to me from (dr2@thedomainname.) Should I also send it to the main address?
As long as it went through and you save a record of it, it should be fine.
I would definitely state “My research from the American Society of DErmatologists shows that induced growth (mention the term Choice used) is a possibility from these treatments and do not feel comfortable getting treatments at a clinic that didn’t inform me of this. I do not want to take this risk.”
Is it ok to say that later instead though, because I already sent two e-mails in a row…this one, and one earlier where I asked
“…If further hair growth is induced, it doesn’t work, or something goes wrong–from what I understand, there is no guarantee?
Could you tell me the specific credentials/licensure of the person who will be doing the hair removal?”
I don’t want to send 3 e-mails in a row…
Don’t send another. If they reply, then you can state this as your reason in your reply.
OK–No one responded through e-mail, but I did get voicemail from Cindy the office manager in which she sounded friendly…and didn’t seem to be pressuring me to keep the contract. She just mentioned that they had received my message about putting the stop check, and explained that the reason the doctor hadn’t been in was because his mother was critically ill–Also she said that she had been away (I did overhear the woman who doing the consult with me tell someone on the phone that Cindy was away).
She said that I could meet with a doctor, and mentioned something about my concerns about there being no guarantee and maybe being willing to throw in some extra sessions if it didn’t work. She said that they are a reputable clinic and were willing to work with me, and gave me her cell phone number.
Hmmmmm.
Lack of money gets attention. I’m sure they want know that if they don’t satisfy your concerns, someone else down the street will.
I like Cindy’s response, so maybe you are getting somewhere and maybe they will learn something from you about doing initial consultations. I wouldn’t give up on them yet.
Dee
That’s a nice response. I agree with Dee. That’s what happens when you take away someone’s paycheck.
You don’t necessarily have to discount them altogether for future treatments, BUT if you do consider treatments make sure you’re ONLY getting them on COARSE DENSE hair AND that you check out 4-5 clinics FIRST to compare things. MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEVER pay up front and for so many areas. Once you find a clinic you want to try out, start with ONE small area and see how things go before committing to anything else.
Yeah, I agree with both of you. I do want to call her back and just ask some questions in general in case I want to go there in the future (for something like legs, where there is course hair), but I have learned my lesson about paying up front for packages…and I think I’ll stay away from this place at least until I see what’s around and know more about it.
The thing that confused me was that in an old e-mail the Dr. told me to call one of their “expert staffers.” to set up a consult Apparently the “expert staffer” (not Cindy–but the person who answered the phone and did the sales pitch, and didn’t mention any risks, even when I asked) is also a medical esthetitian and does the actual treatments. That makes me sort of uncomfortable. During the consultation, I had assumed that the Dr. or a nurse did the treatments, but realized that it wasn’t the case after I had decided on a package. When I asked her “Oh so the doctor doesn’t do them?” she said in general they don’t anymore, and then said I would feel more comfortable with her than the (middle aged, male) doctor anyway, and I laughed nervously and agreed.
I see that Mass General Hospital does laser hair removal in their Cosmetic Dermatology Center. I am thinking of contacting them with some questions. In the meanwhile, I think I will just wax, and also look into electrologists in the area.
Most doctors don’t do it themselves. It’s not worth their time, which is expensive. One doesn’t need to be a doctor. They just need to have a LOT of LHR experience specifically and be able to be knowledgeable and answer all questions you have well, even if the answer is not so positive.
Please don’t forget to read the FAQs at the link below. There is a link below about how to find a clinic near you and what questions to ask.
There are tons of clinics in your area…dozens. You have a lot to sift through. You can also run a search on this forum using advaned search to find places which others have tried, which including electrolysis too.
There are many great electrologists, but they are not so easy to find. Places that do laser are far more numerous than there are electrologists. When or if you find a great electrologist be sure to value her or him and show much gratitude. doing electrolysis WELL is technically much more difficult than laser. You are in a an area where there should be some of the best electrologists anywhere.
Dee
Yeah, I am lucky that there are so many places around here. I am looking through the forum search results right now. The crazy thing is that I printed out that list of questions before the consult, and then I was too nervous when I got there to ask most of them. But when I asked if there were ever negative effects, the woman said never and only if they were on photosensitive medication. I was sort of uncomfortable with that answer.
So I’ve learned from this experience to be more assertive, definitely, and to really check out more places before deciding on anything. I think maybe I’ll take notes even, haha.
For laser, this place looks interesting. I see that they do test patches.
They have good lasers and their laser tech is an RN and has been an electrologist for many years.
Consult there, but keep looking as well.
Yes, I’ll definitely do that 
(keep looking around) I’m bookmarking the listings of electrolygists and clinics etc right now, and this time around am not going to repeat the same mistake. When I do end up going to the places, initially I’m just going to go for information, and then will give myself plenty of time to think about it and compare.