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Thursday, June 4, 2009

That'll Be $165 and Your Dignity...

So I had an appointment at the eye doctor today. I wear contacts and was almost done with my last pair. I had waited long enough and now had to go for my yearly eye exam. It's a small, local office. Five minutes from my house.

I get there, check in and they give me my history to review and ask for any changes. So I tell them that I am now unemployed and they cross my work address and phone number off the sheet. The first woman to see me who does a small series of tests comments on my loss of a job. She seemed sincere. I give her my glasses - which are about ten years old - and she's like "Oh, you'll have to go over to the other side when we're done and pick out new ones because these are just old."

???

Um, excuse me. Did we NOT just cover the whole NOT employed thing. And doesn't it state on my chart that I have no insurance?? What planet are these people from? So I remind her of my status and tell her that I will NOT be picking out new glasses because I am unemployed, with no insurance, and even today's appointment is going to be tough on me.

So we're done and head to the next exam room. The doctor comes in and immediately comments on my recent misfortune of being unemployed. She checks my eyes, we chat, they do NOT have my prescription on site and so I will have to wait up to five days for them. She checks out my glasses, too, and comments on how I should check out their selection.

Is NOBODY paying attention here?

We get done, I go to check out, I pay the obscene $165 (for the whopping ten minutes I was there!) and lady number one comes over and reminds me that my glasses could use to be tightened and someone could take care of that for me. I'm about to walk away to take her advice when the receptionist offers her sympathy on my unemployment.

Now I go over to the eyeglass side and hand a new person my glasses and she's like "Oh, my! These are old! I'm almost afraid to touch them! You should look at new ones."

Sigh. Just tighten my damn glasses so I can get out of here! She does and as she's handing me my glasses she says "You know, you should really get some insurance. Then you should come back and get some new glasses."

If I were in a K-Mart, there would have been an announcement over the intercom, "Attention customers, the lady slinking out of the office is currently unemployed without any insurance but really should have some so that she can get some new glasses in aisle five!"

I wanted to crawl out of there and die. Hey, you know what would have been more helpful that constantly reminding me of my unemployment and un-insured status? Maybe taking some money off of your over-inflated rate! That would have been useful and greatly appreciated.

And insurance? Gee, why didn't I ever think of that!

7 comments:

Lola said...

The sad thing is that they don't care. They have jobs. They are just doing what they are trained to do...Upsell. Sell you something that you didn't come in there wanting to buy. Good for you for sticking to your original plan.

So sorry to hear about your job & insurance. I am in the same boat. I was just thinking that I need to get an exam this year, but I'm going to have to put it off either until things improve, or tax refund time.

Good luck on your job search!

Lola said...

Great blog!

I've given you the "One Lovely Blog Award". Please stop by and check it out.

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A.Marie said...

I am feeling your pain; I don't have any eye insurance either, or dental. I just got the "reminder" card in the mail yesterday, and I'm thinking, "oh great..there goes another $150 or so for the exam..." I agree with you...they do NOT get it. Don't let them, or anyone else, make you feel that you are less than they are. I am proud of you for sticking with your plan and not giving in to their sales pitch.

By the way, have you ever heard of
http://www.glassesusa.com/? I have been searching for affordable, online sites to order glasses from, since I am going to be needing a new pair, and my $$ are VERY limited! If I find another site, I'll let you know!

Storm, The Psychotic Housewife said...

Do you have an America's Best near you? I don't know how much their contacts are, but I know their prices start at $69.95 (plus tax) for an exam and two pairs of glasses. DH gets his there - I figure even with the drive we're still saving money.

StaceyC4 said...

I don't have one near here but I'm going to look them up and see how far they are. thanks for the tip!

Sylvia Goode Basham said...

zennioptical.com

My husband, who is not allowed to drive without corrective eyewear, was able to get 3 pairs of glasses for under $50 and they have a great selection of trendy, up-to-date frames :-) As a matter of fact, the way we found out about them was when I complimented a teenager on her glasses and she told us about the site.

StaceyC4 said...

Thanks, Sylvia!