Park Slope Eye - shady practices?

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Park Slope Eye - shady practices?

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mancunian
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '06
Posts: 15

About 2 years ago in early 2011, I went to Park Slope Eye for a checkup and new contacts. I really didn't have any complaints about the place, and when the bill came at the end, my insurance covered part and I payed the rest in full and went about my way.

Fast forward 2 years to yesterday, and I get a letter demanding almost $100 or they're going to forward my account to their collections agency. I have a receipt showing that I paid the entire bill, and haven't been there in 2 years, yet they're threatening me all of a sudden, and honestly I'm kind of shocked. I don't know where this money they're claiming came from, and the fact that they are demanding it in 10 days just makes the whole thing seem incredibly shady. Has that place gone downhill or something? I don't see how they can make that sort of demand.

# Posted 3 mos ago
ringrunner
above average
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 704

When you called them and asked them what the bill was about what did they say?

Don't get me started

# Posted 3 mos ago
Mamacita
Stuck in the middle with you
Joined: Dec '06
Posts: 9,491

They have a random facebook filled with famous quotes. The messages are interesting. I only took a quick look but I bet you're not the only one with complaints on them:

Why does PSE not return calls? Why does the agency that does your billing not return calls? Do I need to resort to FB or march on down to your office?

Park Slope Eye: We do for sure! All callers requesting a call back are called by the end of the business day. I will put money on it in fact. If you can prove we did not do so, I will glady put $50 bucks in your pocket. The billing agency returns calls in the order they were received, which can often take several days. FB is a great way to reach us, but probably a MSG not a post! In person is cool too but EMAIL IS BY FAR THE BEST!

$50?? What a weird response.

I was going to make an appointment but my understanding from a fellow (national) journalist that there are issues with the billing system. Can you provide here some assurance that these issues have been resolved? I have many friends in the area who also would like a good Slope eye doctor. Thanks kindly for any assurance you might provide.
MS

Park Slope Eye: There will never be a perfect system but we have a great one in place now

(\__/)
(=’.'=)
(”)_(”)

# Posted 3 mos ago
susanderavish
getting it
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 64

Super weird place. I tried to make an appointment a year or so ago and was so frustrated with the bizarre email-only system that I gave up. They're also super aggressive and defensive about it. From their Yelp page:

We get some people have a hard time letting go of doing things over the phone. Park Slope Eye is not the best place for you if that is the case. Here are the top 5 Signs Park Slope Eye may not be the best fit for you.
1. You still call a travel agent to book a flight
2. You use the yellow pages
3. You love calling a restaurant to order your food
4. You don't know what a txt msg is
5. Your cell phone has a 2 color screen

Further down the Yelp page a rep of the business responds to a review by calling it a "dick move"! Crazy!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/park-slope-eye-brooklyn-2

# Posted 3 mos ago
Rosita
getting it
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 146

Take that letter and your receipt to the police and report them for fraud. Don't wait till it goes to collections.

It's so hard to be a saint in the city.

# Posted 3 mos ago
AlyMetz
what am I, new?
Joined: Mar '13
Posts: 1

Super shady. Same story as @mancunian. Service in early 2011, paid in full at point of service, now sent to collections. Nonsensical accounting. After hours and hours of e-mail back and forth, I finally just paid to be rid of them.

Here's a sample of the customer service:

ME: Wow. I would be surprised but I see from Internet reviews that I'm not the only one who's been harassed by you in this way.

DR. BAZAN: True, there are other just like you.

# Posted 2 mos ago
BKChickie
Bagel Hole Girl
Joined: Mar '08
Posts: 1,089

Ugh, thanks for the heads up about this. I'll be looking for new glasses soon, and I'll keep this place OFF of my list. I understand that mistakes happen, but it sounds like it's difficult to get those mistakes corrected.

I'm all for small businesses, except when they get shady like this.

# Posted 2 mos ago
ingenuity-jen
rookie newb
Joined: Sep '11
Posts: 49

Ugh, good to read this. I've been going for a few years (no issues yet) but thought it was a little pricey. My new insurance doesn't list them and now I'm not as bummed to find a new provider. I'll keep an eye out for weird bills.

# Posted 2 mos ago
theindecisionpigeon
getting it
Joined: Nov '06
Posts: 153

ditto on the shady experiences at park slope eye. i experienced such drama there over a year ago (decent eye exam, but then horrible staff, ill fitting frames, lenses filled wrong, then refilled, lenses still wrong, ended up very angry and got a full refund).

if you're looking for a great eye doctor in the neighborhood, check out urban optical on 7th avenue and 9th street - dr. friedland is super accomodating and his staff is great at helping pick out frames.

you're welcome to stay, but even your company must compliment the feng-shui.

# Posted 1 mo ago