Breast Augmentation - How to Haggle!

zara*elise

Apologies if this is in the wrong place!

Taken from: http://boobjobsupportforum.forumotion.co.uk/breast-augmentation-surgery-f5/how-to-haggle-t31.htm

I had chosen my surgeon and company already, so I would have paid the full amount if they had not dropped the price. This must be your attitute too.

Consultations

I'm not advocating one company/clinic over another, the choice of company/clinic must be done with lots of research and thought. The company/clinic you use is just as important as the surgeon you choose.

It's always worth having three or more consults with different surgeons and clinics.

The biggest companies in the UK are:

THG
HM
Transform
MyBreast
MYA
Surgicare

These are the main 'high street' companies, the easiest to haggle with. These companies are in direct competition with each other to be the UK's leading cosmetic surgery clinics. THEY MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT COMPANY FOR YOU!

They all offer aftercare packages, but they do vary in the levels of cover, so this must be taken into consideration.

Of course there are many, many other options to take, there are private clinics, surgeon's own companies, hospitals, NHS (if you're lucky) and going abroad too. Some of the private clinics may be cheaper than the 'high street' comapnies, some may offer better aftercare, so thorough research needs to be done so you find the right clinic for you. It's best to choose one you feel comfortable with, especially regarding aftercare. However for the purposes of this thread I'll be dealing with the main companies listed above.

Surgeon

Being happy with your surgeon is the most important decision to make. He is the man holding the knife. You should never book with a surgeon you have not thoroughly reasearched. You should never book a surgeon you have not consulted with. You should never book with a surgeon because you are rushed, or a company has offered a discount. You should never book with a surgeon because of peer pressure.

Most surgeons work through more than one company, as well as their own. Some will not work through the above mentioned companies, so it's worth exploring all the options before deciding on your PS.

Find a surgeon you're happy with. Do LOTS of research. Ask lots of questions, get his CV, ask about his qualifications, ask about his re-do rates. Ask his opinion on what would suit you best and if you're happy then you've found your surgeon. Have another consult, if you like, to double check you've made the right decision. If you have any doubts then you need to explore other possible candidates. Never settle for a surgeon because you're in a rush or they've offered you a discount there and then.

Once you've found the perfect surgeon for you check to see if he works elsewhere. If he doesn't then you may find haggling a little harder, but it's not impossible.

If your surgeon does work for another company, have a consult with them too. Find out the differences in aftercare, their reputation, do more research and eventally you'll find you're drawn to one company over the other.

How to Haggle

Only haggle if you're 100% certain you've found the surgeon for you. If a company offers you a discount if you go with another surgeon, reject it.

So you've chosen your perfect surgeon. He has a great reputation, is well qualified, and he can do exactly what you want. You've also chosen your company. You like their aftercare package, and their repuation.

With the main companies, you'll be getting to know a Patient Care Co-ordinator. This will be the girl that sorts out all the admin for you. She'll be the one you're haggling with.

So you've seen Mr Booby from Clinic 1 and you know he also works for Clinic 2. You're happy with your surgeon and you want to stick with Clinic 1.

After your consult at Clinic 1, she'll ask you if you liked the surgeon, if you were happy with what he said.

Act a little blase. Try not to be too excited (even though inside you may be screaming!) Mention you are very happy with how it went, and you're 95% sure that you want to book with him. However, tell your PCC that you are going to see a few other companies and you'll be in touch. Ensure her that you are a genuine client, but that you're not ready to commit just yet.

Then play the waiting game. Your PCC will call a few times to follow up the interest. As annoying as the calls may be they are vital in haggling! Answer her calls and repeat what you told her on the day of the consult. Tell her you're much nearer to making a decision.

In the meantime, you know your surgeon also works for Clinic 2. So you go in to see Clinic 2. You won't actually book with them (unless the Clinic 2 is better than Clinic 1!) You just want to get them into a price war. You can be a bit more brutal with this company as they are just a pawn in your game! After your consults, tell the PCC you have a budget in mind and that the price quoted is too much. If she asks what your budget is, tell her its £500 below the quote. (It works best if you give an actual amount, rather than saying "It's £500 below your price." Say "It's £3200" etc)

She'll then call head office or the manager and hopefully give you some kind of a discount. It may be the whole amount, it probably will only be £50-100 less. Get this in writing!

With that info, tell her that you'll think about it and leave.

Make an appointment with Clinic 1 to see your PCC.

Tell her you really want to book with Clinic 1, but you've had a consult with another company which Mr Booby also works for, who have matched the price of Clinic 1 AND offered £xxx.xx off. Say you prefer to go with Clinic 1, however the money off means you'll probably go with Clinic 2, unless the PCC can better the discount.

As her if it's possible as you really love the company/trust them etc. She may want to see it in writing, so give her the quote.

And hopefully that would have got you a good discount!

If your surgeon only works for Clinic 1 exclusively then you'll need to work hard to convince the PCC that you're interested in another company. So see your surgeon, then when you see your PCC act a little blase. Try not to be too excited, mention you are very happy with how it went and you're 95% sure that you want to book with him. However, tell your PCC that you are going to see a few other companies and you'll be in touch. Ensure her that you are a genuine client, but that you're not ready to commit just yet.

And then she'll call and call. Don't answer the first call. Instead, call her back a few days later and ask to make another appointment to see her. Say you've seen a few companies and would like to talk through the aftercare poilicy in person.

At the appointment tell her you've seen a few companies and there's one in particular (the cheapest one!) that's within your price range and it has very good aftercare policy. But then say you actually really want to go with Clinic 1 and is there any way they can lower the price?

Hopefully that should be enough to get her to speak to her manager and come back with a discount!

Remember, you've chosen your surgeon and company already, so pay the full amount if they refuse to drop the price. It's just not worth getting a cheaper price if it lacks good aftercare or a lesser surgeon.