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Re payments of treatment that didn't work and now company in administration

Hi all,

I really need some advise as to what I can do about reclaiming my money or even stopping the payments on laser eye surgery which hasn't worked.

I had the surgery about 2 years ago now, all was fine however about a year ago I started having issues and went to get my eyes checked, I pretty much was told I needed to wear glasses again. I obviously contacted ultra lase who had a life time gaurentee and they agreed to see me for discussion of re treatment. I was booked in for Saturday (yes it's taken me since January to see a surgeon) but have just been called to tell me they have been out into administration and they are trying to get me retreated through optimax but wouldn't have another update for at least 3 weeks.
I currently still owe about 2k and frankly do not want to pay for something that hasn't worked or that I don't know they will rectify.
Obviously it is a financial company I owe the money to but after already being disgruntled and paying 2k already I don't want them taking any more money....

Olease help :(
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Comments

  • gb12345
    gb12345 Posts: 3,055 Forumite
    Cazza86 wrote: »
    Obviously it is a financial company I owe the money to but after already being disgruntled and paying 2k already I don't want them taking any more money....

    The money that you owe the finance company is totally separate to the problems that you are having with the operation.

    If you don't pay them what is due, on time - then you will effectively be trashing your credit history for the next 6 years.
  • Did the original company GUARANTEE that their procedure would work and it would work for life?

    IMO they would not make that statement as they could not possibly say with certainty that the procedure would work.

    Again IMO you got the treatment you paid for so you need to carry on paying the repayments.

    Getting them to pay someone else to treat you again will be a minefield. I would suggest a free half hour with a solicitor to discuss your case.
  • DevCoder
    DevCoder Posts: 3,361 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    All laser treatments state that you may still need glasses for certain work (reading small print for example) and that you may need glasses in the future.
  • krisdorey wrote: »
    All laser treatments state that you may still need glasses for certain work (reading small print for example) and that you may need glasses in the future.

    I have a life time gaurentee that my eyes wouldn't become bad enough to require glasses for things like driving etc. your eyes do still get worse as you age but they say you would require them for things like reading etc which is natural in age.

    They had agreed to retreat me on Saturday!
  • Did the original company GUARANTEE that their procedure would work and it would work for life?

    IMO they would not make that statement as they could not possibly say with certainty that the procedure would work.

    Again IMO you got the treatment you paid for so you need to carry on paying the repayments.

    Getting them to pay someone else to treat you again will be a minefield. I would suggest a free half hour with a solicitor to discuss your case.

    I have a lifetime care guarantee which states 'altho no one can guarantee a lifetime of perfect vision, this certificate is our promise to you that we will provide unlimited free aftercare, in order to try to achieve or exceed the agreed visual outcome from your ultra lase treatment
  • Your loan agreement is separate to your medical contract. Don't ruin your credit rating over this. You could write a letter of complaint to Ultralase and ask thm to repay the debt on your behalf but as they are now in administration it seems unlikely.
    I'm a qualified accountant but please make sure you get expert advice as any opinion is made in a private capacity.
    "A goal without a plan is just a wish" Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    Mortgage overpay 2012: £10,815; 2013: £27,562
    Mortgage start £264k, now £232k
  • John1993_2
    John1993_2 Posts: 1,090 Forumite
    As others have said, you do need to separate the loan from the treatment. You borrowed from a finance company, and then paid the proceeds for a treatment. If the treatment did not work you can pursue the company for a refund, but if they are not trading then you may struggle.

    I understand that you are going to be very upset at the treatment not working, but you'll not be "getting back" at the medical company if you fail to repay.

    It's as though you'd borrowed from a friend for a purchase, and found you'd bought something that broke. Would you try to stiff your friend as his money did not get what you wanted?
  • Cazza86
    Cazza86 Posts: 4 Newbie
    edited 7 November 2013 at 10:16PM
    Oh this is just crap! Doesn't sound like I have a leg to stand on :(
  • If the company dies any guarantee dies with it.

    You can't I wouldn't say even make a claim against the finance company. As they did the operation, it worked for a while, things got worse which can happen. The actual purchase is complete. Your free guarantee wouldn't be covered by finance.
  • redpete
    redpete Posts: 4,737 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Cazza86 wrote: »
    I have a life time gaurentee that my eyes wouldn't become bad enough to require glasses for things like driving etc.
    I have a lifetime care guarantee which states 'altho no one can guarantee a lifetime of perfect vision, this certificate is our promise to you that we will provide unlimited free aftercare, in order to try to achieve or exceed the agreed visual outcome from your ultra lase treatment
    It probably won't make any difference now that they are in administration, but are both the above statements true as they are obviously different.

    (Note that some guarantees could outlive a company if they are offered via a separate insurance policy.)
    loose does not rhyme with choose but lose does and is the word you meant to write.
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