Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 01 December 2012, 17:59:17

Title: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Varche on 01 December 2012, 17:59:17
Just been speaking to the 90 year old Uncle in Law on the phone.

Had a nice chap round . His name had been passed to him by the old peoples group. You mean Age UK? Yes.

Having trouble hearing, yes I do actually.

Long talk and presentation. How much will it be? £7,000 odd pounds. How much?!! No thanks. :o :o :o

I wonder how many vulnerable people sign on the dotted line?... 
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 01 December 2012, 18:04:56
Just been speaking to the 90 year old Uncle in Law on the phone.

Had a nice chap round . His name had been passed to him by the old peoples group. You mean Age UK? Yes.

Having trouble hearing, yes I do actually.

Long talk and presentation. How much will it be? £7,000 odd pounds. How much?!! No thanks. :o :o :o

I wonder how many vulnerable people sign on the dotted line?...

Thats not far off what one of my uncles paid for his hearing aids......and this was from a hearing specialist that works for the NHS......

He tried NHS ones to start with, which were fine, but as his hearing decreased the NHS ones couldnt help him, so the specialist suggested Swedish made ones....

Cost him around £5k iirc.......but as he says, he can now hear again.....so worth the money he says.......also the specialist gives them a 'free service' every year  :y
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Varche on 01 December 2012, 18:19:20
Blimey. I and he was convinced it was a scam.

He has an NHS hearing aid as does my dad. Thank god for the NHS then!
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 01 December 2012, 18:49:30
Be very cautious of companies that employ direct sales methods ::)

Never sign there and then and don't believe claims that this particular deal can only be done here and now, because that's usually BS and is actually illegal! Bear in mind that these guys will often be working on a commission only basis so will be keen to get a deal, even if they have to throw in their Granny!!  ;D  Also if you do sign up there and then you have a 7 day cooling off period in which the company is obliged to cancel the contract and refund any deposits paid, although I think they are allowed to charge a reasonable admin fee about £200 I think...  :-\

I'm sure that some of these hearing aids are damned expensive, most disability kit is!!  :(  but the difference between £5000 and £7000 is considerable, and it may well be that the same kit that's been offered to your Uncle for £7000 can be had down at the local mobility/disability shop for the £5000 odd that Al mentioned..  ::)

I'm sure that plenty of elderly/vulnerable people sign up with the 'nice young man' because he's so nice and has probably told then how tough life is and how his kids are going bearfoot etc etc  I don't mean to teach anyone how to suck eggs, but I have a bee in my bonnet about companies that employ such methods.  They are rarely reputable and often disappear, only to reappear in a different guise!!!  >:(

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/consumer_leaflets/general/oft733a.pdf
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Andy B on 01 December 2012, 19:13:12
.......also the specialist gives them a 'free service' every year  :y

I said ............ testing testing 1     2     3      ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Vamps on 01 December 2012, 19:40:56
.......also the specialist gives them a 'free service' every year  :y

I said ............ testing testing 1     2     3      ::) ::) ::) ::)

Pardon!!!.............. :D :D :D
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Varche on 01 December 2012, 20:04:10
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Lazydocker on 01 December 2012, 22:07:46
Get him to contact Specsavers.  ;)
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: doz on 01 December 2012, 22:17:11
The old man just got two digital hearing aids FOC on the NHS.
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: Lazydocker on 01 December 2012, 22:41:10
Yep, NHS will supply but quite a wait. Specsavers have clear pricing and no hard sell.  :y
Title: Re: Nice Hearing aid scam
Post by: doz on 01 December 2012, 22:50:24
Alas a misspent youth filled with riding motorbikes without ear plugs and lots of loud music (was a bit of a raver) has left me nearing the time I'll need them. Mind you I had a bloody good time  ;)