Cost not explained upfront

Just want to share my experience as someone who decided not to take up the programme. I phoned Slender Wonder to find out if I can claim the treatment from my medical aid. The person who answered the phone sounded hesitant and said she thinks I can, after which I made an appointment to see someone who could explain it all to me.

I visited Slender Wonder at Brooklyn, Pretoria and I was warmly greeted by friendly staff. I was asked to fill in a lot of forms, and saw that the treatment can in fact NOT be claimed back from medical aids. Hesitant to go on I thought I would just stay to find out how it all works as I was scared of the cost. I was then taken into a room where I was weighed and measured. Thereafter I saw a doctor who spent quite a bit of time to explain the ins and outs of the programme to me and she did a great job. When asking about costs of the programme it was explained that the first 6 weeks costs R3500, which includes the products. On top of that you also need to pay a the doctor's consultation fee every 2 weeks.

I decided that I was not going to start immediately but would go back to think about it. Upon leaving I was charged R520 for the consultation (which was more of an information session than a medical consultation) as well as an additional R95 for the "Body assessment" (that was the weighing and measuring) and yet another R38 for a booklet with information on the diet plan.

I would recommend that you first sit down to explain to new customers how it all works, explain upfront that the consultation with the doctor as well as the body assessment are all charged for, before just going ahead and assuming the person knows about this. Perhaps one of the forms you make customers fill in upon arrival could be a detailed outline of all costs involved and a proper consent form? Also explain upfront the charges should you decide to not take up the programme. This would not only be courteous but also professional.