kpsa Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Just make sure it is not the 10% VAT return you get as a discount anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luzie Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 I will say it really depends. Some hosts may try to lure you to certain clinics and get you to do surgery there so they get paid for referral. This may result in higher quoted prices. Some hosts may suggest you clinics popular among locals, be your translator and even bargain the price down for you. They even take good care of you during your recovery stage. It happened to someone from this forum and there was a post about it so do check it out. All the best for your surgery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelleyp Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Hey I'm having the surgery in June and by then the VAT return thing is over as the Korean government is only implementing it as a trial run for a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelleyp Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Ah I see! Well, I already know which clinic I want and tbh my host seems like a busy man because according to the reviews, they never see him at all so hopefully it'll be fine haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpsa Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 You're right as the VAT return for PS is valid until Dec 2017, however, this program has been extended for a several years already. Though extension through 2018 is not guaranteed, I believe there is a good chance it will be extended in 2018 as well as the government has been actively promoting itself as a medical hub. So my advice is to keep an eye out for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelleyp Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 That would be great because I really don’t want to carry that much cash. I tried to negotiate a discount but I guess I failed. I’m probably just really bad at bargaining LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpsa Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 From what I have seen in my research many that have brought cash for PS have little issues in Korea. Been there also many times and felt Seoul was quite safe even when carrying much cash. If you want to get money from the ATM do take into account you will have to pay the service fee quite a few times, which can be costly. As for bargaining, not sure what you mean. Do you mean getting discount via email? Usually discounts will be given during F2F consults. And also email discounts, I would doubt its usefulness, since the doctor will have to see you F2F I would imagine to really know what is needed. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelleyp Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Yeah, I've been to Korea many times and it is really safe but my issue is more about having to declare the amount if I bring more than $10k. I visited TFD this summer for a F2F consult and they quoted me a "fixed price" but I've seen some people on this forum paying a cheaper price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpsa Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Ah, I understand and now way around that problem. As for bargaining, what I have seen in my research is that other PS goers have tried to get quotes from other clinics as well and then get back to the clinic they want to bargain, so you can see how they react as it never hurts to try. Also summer is peak PS period, so logically their necessity to discount will be lower as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelleyp Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Yup, I agree. I’ll try to negotiate again when I go in June. Can’t wait for my surgery lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliciaqui79 Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 This is great advise. Thank u. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catelet Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 I used my credit card for everything in SK (to get points partly but also ease of use). I only used Korean won to refill a subway/train/cab pass called Tmoney--you can use this card for both buses, trains, and cabs which is so nice!). I bought the first Tmoney card at the airport using my credit card, at a little store that I think was called CU which is by baggage claim--(there's a money change machine nearby to get some cash for refills on your Tmoney card at subway stations as needed). I put $30 on my first Tmoney card. I took the subway from the airport to my airbnb which was located right next to a station (I did have to change trains once). The subway is so fast and easy if you don't mind navigating it yourself. Of course if you're staying in Gangnam, cabs are also a good bet. I often took cabs as well to the Rodeo section of Gangnam from my Airbnb, again using my Tmoney card. No worries about tips, etc. They put it through a credit-card type machine quickly and you're done. So it's nice to have the Tmoney card on hand. When it gets low, the subway gates will let you know. Then you just run over to a machine and refill it with your Korean Won. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lioness15 Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Super useful thread!! Thank you for everyone's tip and advise. I'm leaving in 10 days for my rhino revision and have been wondering what's the best way to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophia990 Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 Wow thanks for the handy tip!! That card does sound super useful lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpsa Posted November 3, 2017 Share Posted November 3, 2017 The T-Money card is very handy indeed and you can even use it to pay at the convenience stores in Korea. Just know that you need to buy the T-Money card and there is a small admin fee to pay when getting any remaining balance from your card. So if you are staying a shorter period it may be a little cheaper (not much though ) to buy individual tickets instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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