Complimentary consultation... $220?

[JustAGirl]

OK SO I am seriously pissed at this one organization.

Back in October '05 I went for a complimentary consultation with someone. After the consultation, I had more questions, so I emailed him the questions stating quite nicely I would appreciate the time out to answer them. I get a reply back of "they'll be answered when we meet next before surgery".

Um. No. My questions will be answered before any other appt is scheduled, and replied quite nicely that I would like them answered. No reply.

Lets jump now to Feb '06. I've had another complimentary consultation with another organization, and as a matter of fact already had the surgery that I saw the first person for!

Quick buzz to March '06. Letter in the mail from first consultation (the one I didn't go to for surgery). Its a bill! For about $220!

Complimentary consultation... apparently equals a $220 bill?

So, after many letters back and forth with this individual about how I should not have to pay $220 for a complimentary consultation, I go to the BBB.

Again, several letters back and forth from BBB to me to the doctor, the BBB throws its hands in the air saying the doctor will not cease billing me.

So NOW, I have a letter from a collection agency. I hate dealing with these people, with a passion. Says I owe $220 for this organization and blah blah blah yadda yadda.

I'm not paying this, I want to fight it for all I can. They have no right to bill me, and I feel they only did because I did not go with them for my surgery.

Any thoughts or suggestions that I could do? I've exhausted my efforts to point out to them when I call for a complimentary consultation, and get it, that I shouldn't be charged (complimentary... hello that does not mean charge me $220!?!?) and they should just drop it because they aren't getting a dime from me.

*sigh*

[Banrion]

Do you have copies of any and all paperwork you signed when you went in for this consultation? Re-read it to make sure that it doesn't have any weird clause about the consultation only being free if you do get the surgery. If you don't find anything there, ask the DR. for the paperwork disclosing the fee. DO NOT under any circumstances talk to the collection agency. If they are calling you, tell them that you will not acknowledge the charge, and you will not discuss it over the phone. Advise them to contact you only in writitng.

[JustAGirl]

Oh yeah I do not intend on touching calling writing or anything to this collection agency. I don't pick up any unknown caller calls on my phone so I dunno if they actually have called me or not.

I asked for a copy of my record with them. They gave it to me and nowhere whatsoever does it have anything dealing with being billed. I even got my fiancee to look over it thoroughly just in case I missed something and HE didn't see a thing dealing with being billed.

[Greenday]

Raise hell about false advertising? Doesn't complimentary mean free?

[Rapscallion]

Something like that often comes with conditions attached - check out the details before making any other move.

Rapscallion