endymion Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170718000929 Did anyone read this article? I know that foreign patients are often charged more than Korean patients. But I thought it's just 10~20% more. This article reported a nearly 100% difference, which I honestly find disturbing. If anyone has good experiences haggling with the clinic on price, please share.
miame44 Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 Unfortunately, but its true. double they charged native Korean.
granges Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 yes this is not new to me.. foreigners accept it though.
endymion Posted December 26, 2017 Author Posted December 26, 2017 This is not acceptable. 10~20% more expensive is somewhat reasonable considering the extra cost associated with dealing with international patients. But 100% more? Does a translator's service cost as much as one entire surgery performed by a board certified plastic surgeon? The answer is no. This is just pure greed. And the attitude you have here is only going to encourage the clinics to charge even more.
granges Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 I never said I liked it . If foreigners accept it, then they will continue to do it. people should protest. I don't think it's fair, especially because foreigners have to purchase expensive plane tickets and hotels on top of there overpriced quotes from Korean clinics . From my experience in china, they charged me the same as locals. I was also quoted the same prices as the Chinese when I contacted many clinics. I think that's how it should be.
granges Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 True, And if money is a huge issue , Look for clinics that don't advertise to foreigners in korea. They tend to be cheaper and if they do tack on extra money to your bill, it won't be too bad because they were really cheap to begin with . But one thing I will say is, if you really like a clinic , and they are overpriced, but you absolutely love their results...don't settle for a not as good clinic just because it's cheaper. Save your money to get the results you want. Your satisfaction is priceless . Revisions are not cheap . Get it right the first time .
k-couture Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 Lol honestly this happens like in so many countries. Over in Switzerland the stem cell lab there is known to charge foreigners for MSC stemcells like 30k Euros for a 1 week package LOL. Over in Thailand at some hospitals for example, the horrendous meat factory Yanhee where when I was 18 I did my first ever rhino there (worst decision of my life), I paid 1200 dollars for rhino. But do you know locals paid 400 only? I wouldn't worry too much about it or get worked up over it. This industry is still a businesses and its not about to change to suit us foreigners. That said, there's always alternatives out there. That article is sensationalised as not many clinics actually double the price. Yes as foreigners we do pay more but no where as near as double. Also, one thing you gotta bear in mind is that some clinics the local price is not cheap either. Local price at one clinic versus local price at another clinic is completely different based on the seniority of the surgeon. For example JW and April's local price is NOT CHEAP IF you choose to use their director level surgeons. You want local price or close to local at clinics like those? Sure use the more bleh and less reputable surgeons. I mean even the places I consulted for my breast surgery which I had 6 days ago, the local price is pretty damn high. Do you know there are places that charge foreigner for breast augmentation as long as 5.5 million krw? And their local price is even cheaper than that. But when I do a background check on their surgeon would I allow him to cut into me and place a foreign implant into a pocket between my muscles? Hell no! Why would one of the director or even senior level surgeon whos is sought after by korean and foreign patients alike, who is always booked up, who is reputable, who has a low margin of error, who produces good results for their patients and is in demand, would have to dumb down their prices to that low? If i'm such a surgeon I will know my worth and charge at an above average market value which people are willing to pay within reason. So when we take issue with local and foreigner prices first bear in mind the following: 1) Is the mark up reasonable? - consider what added services what type of facilitiy the clinic has 2) WHO IS MY SURGEON? - if u get one of the bleh no name surgeons and u get a high prices, yes u been ripped off. 3) WHAT IS THEIR KOREAN PRICE? - Again before jumping to conclusions assuming that ALL korean local price is the same, remember is the not just based on the clinic but also very much based on the SURGEON you are assigned to. Pick a reputable one, a director level one, and you will realize the local price while lower than foreigner price, ain't that low either. If you compare someone's local price to yours, MAKE SURE ITS AN OBJECTIVE COMPARISON. "my korean friend got her nose revision done for so and so price but my foreigner price is this much" Well first ask yourself does your friend's revision just involve implant replacement and simple tip revision? Does yours involve osteo? Does yours involve contracture removal? Do you need a septal extension? Do you even bother to ask the surgeon what exactly he doing to you cos while many of us do, alot are also clueless and dont ask those little details which are essential. God I cant believe i typed so much. It seems im bored af being cooped up in my apartment whilst recovering from this boob job lol. I WANNA DRINK WITH EVERYONE ELSE BUT I CANTTTTT I wants my whiskyyyy
sarahdomm Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 Call them out on it. I went to Fresh PS asking about full body lipo. They quoted me $15,000 USD. When I told them either give me the local pricing or I walk out to go to another clinic, It suddenly changed from 15 to 10,000 USD. There are many many clinics in Gangnam, South Korea. This means some are always in "competition" with one another. Its neither a bad thing nor a good thing. But K Couture is right. Sometimes the price justifies the procedure. Depending on type and whats being done, to which doctor will be working on you. It all depends on what you. Some local clinics do AMAZING jobs with doctors you may never have heard of. Why? Because they don't focus on advertising. Its possible though to find that right clinic for yourself with specialist doctors and fair pricing. It might take hours and hours of research and a lot of communication; but this is standard when wanting the best for yourself. And you deserve the best.
eurasianbeauty Posted December 26, 2017 Posted December 26, 2017 Bottom line is that Korean plastic surgery is not only 10-15 years ahead of the rest of the world, but is significantly cheaper. Even with the "foreigner" markup. I get upset at times as well because I know Koreans personally who have paid less than $6k for rhinoplasty, liposuction and a redo on eyes. I am looking at like 3 times the cost for the same (NOT paying that; I am learning Korean, taking a local with me to translate and am learning how to negotiate). Her work is great. So price doesn't dictate results. People pay a lot to get botched at the factory clinics.
sparklingeyes Posted December 27, 2017 Posted December 27, 2017 I believe it does happen to every country though. But let's face it: Korean clinic is still much cheaper than clinic in our homecountry.
perceval Posted December 27, 2017 Posted December 27, 2017 There's a difference between local and foreigner, and here's a couple of reasons why: - Translators - They get paid through your surgery, they need to get paid somehow right? They helped you communicate with the doctor and so I find this reason for the extra charge pretty reasonable. - Care Services - Medications - Etc. Besides, you can always haggle with them. I don't see what the problem is here. If you get serious with them they'll get desperate and lower the price for you- there are so many ways as to how you can get them to give you a discount, sometimes even lower than the local pricing: - Say that you'll write up positive reviews on them if they do an excellent job. - Become a model for a clinic. If you don't mind showing your face this a good option. - Another thing besides modeling is letting them post your pictures (whether they're censored in certain areas or not), that can get you a discount. - Here's another example: they quote you 10,000,000 won for v-line. You then say that's out of your budget and you only have 8,000,000-9,000,000 won. They'll get desperate and knock down the price for you- even if you lied about it being out of your budget. Just... Pretend... Yeah... - Visit some clinics and get the prices from them, clinics will ask you what prices you were given from the other clinics and they'll give you something below the lowest deal. - Etc. Besides, I think people should appreciate the fact that they're getting surgery from a place that gives better results for even cheaper than the U.S. or whatever other place they've been to. As long as you're choosing a reputable clinic there shouldn't be any complaining. Also chances are that the clinic you're dealing with is a **** clinic looking for money, I'd stay away from them if they have mixed reviews. Also, K Couture is definitely right, I'd listen to her take on it as well.
k-couture Posted December 27, 2017 Posted December 27, 2017 just saying not in Australia. Foreigners don't get charged more. We all get majorly ripped off ahhahahahha foreigner and local alike. I remembered when i was barely 20 I went to a sub par surgeon with an attitude named Peter Dixon for buccal fat removal. He charged me 8000 Aussie dollars, PLUS the Or fee at the hospital was 1800 (yup u pay for OR fees in Australia) PLUS the anaesthesiologist fee was 1500 PLUS i was a chicken back then and wasnted to overnight at the hospital so that was another 1200 dollars. (medicare wouldnt even rebate me for the hospital stay cos its an elective procedure lol!) Like legit to me this is expensive. That's also why I don't even bat an eyelid at the prices they shell out in Korea. Of course I bargain but at the end of the day its peanuts compared to the quality and value for money in Australia
endymion Posted December 27, 2017 Author Posted December 27, 2017 That is retarded. I did my buccal fat removal in US a few years ago from a highly qualified surgeon, and it only cost me 2000 USD INCLUDING EVERYTHING. Of course I was quoted double the price at other places too, but I just walked somewhere else.
endymion Posted December 27, 2017 Author Posted December 27, 2017 Kudos to you! We should all do this more often
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