It literally took me months to get this appointment. So long that the Groupon voucher had…read moretechnically expired. I made sure that this wouldn't be a problem when I was finally able to book a date FIVE WEEKS AGO. For five weeks I have been dreaming of the pin prick of the Botox needle. I've been dry for almost a year, and you all know what that's like. I just started a new job, funds are tight, and so is my schedule, which I made sure to clear for this FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT.
I was scheduled for today, 3 pm on a Friday afternoon, and I took it because that was my only option, knowing that I would have to move things around to make the rest of my day work, and that I would be sitting in traffic for an extra hour or two. No matter, I thought, I would deal, because I would have a face full of Botox, and I wouldn't even be able to frown. Yay!
No yay.
When I arrived at the office at 2:55, I was told by the girl behind the desk that the office is shared and that she wasn't sure where Dr. Pryde was, because she didn't know his schedule. Then she asked me if I had called ahead, I told her no I hadn't, because I was on time for my appointment so why would I do that? Already I knew that something was up and had the sinking feeling that Botox was not happening, because I wanted it too much or something, but still I called the number listed on my voucher and of course there was no answer, so I sat down to wait.
I didn't wait long (I guess that is my silver-lining), because Dr.Pryde's receptionist appeared in the waiting room, dressed in black and wearing his RayBan's like he too was in mourning for my Botox. He said that he had called all of "his" patients to tell them that Dr. Pryde was out on medical leave until November.
I said that I had not received a call, holding out my phone, as if to convince him.
He said again that he had called all of his patients.
I told him that if I had received a call, I wouldn't be standing in the waiting room having this conversation with him. Because, why?
He said again that he called all of his patients.
I asked him from which number he had called? Perhaps I had missed it, scrolling though my phone like an idiot.
He told me the number. A number which I most definitely did not receive a call from.
I asked what I should do? I had been waiting months for this appointment. Months where I could have already asked for a refund, and taken my business elsewhere.
He said that I could contact Groupon for a refund. And then he SAID AGAIN THAT HE HAD CALLED ALL OF HIS PATIENTS. Like me standing there in the office was not his problem.
And I was like, dude, do you think that if you called me, I'd be standing here right now? Seriously? Can't you just admit that maybe you did not call me? Obviously you guys are really busy. Is it not possible that you could have overlooked me? Can't I get some sort of apology at least for the time and energy I have wasted/invested in this afternoon and the five weeks of anticipation leading up to it?
And he said no. He said I don't owe you an apology.
Let me say that again: No. I don't owe you an apology.
He said (wait for it) I called all of my patients.
So maybe Dr. Pryde is the best Botox guy in the city of Los Angeles. But how would I know that? I hope he is okay, if he is on medical leave, but I just could not let go of the fact that his receptionist was so colossally unprofessional.
So I wrote this review. And I will post about it on Facebook. And I will Tweet about it. And I will complain to Groupon, if that is in fact something I am able to do. And I guess I will also make an attempt to contact the good doctor himself, who it seems, actually does read and respond to his reviews. All I wanted, other than a face full of Botox, was an "I'm really sorry, there must have been some sort of mix up. I understand if you are upset." You know, that old common courtesy goes a long way.
Dr. Pryde, to say I was disappointed is a gross understatement. What I make up about this entire interaction is that you have little respect for the clients who purchase deals for your service. I get it, we're not exactly money makers. The hope is that we will return at regular price. Somehow I don't see that happening here.
Considering the cultural climate, me not getting Botox today is not exactly a tragedy. What I find tragic is the way your employee refused to even consider taking responsibility for what could very well have been his human error.
Frankly, he totally sucked.