Beltone Hearing Aid Center; Ellis J Thomas III Did Not Advise me of my Rights; would not give me a copy of my signed form ripoff Bluffton South Carolina

I responded to a "free" ear exam which was done by a professional closer Fred Boudreaux. I was to be given a special price on an expensive hearing aid. Just prior to his exam, I was given one by the owners son (owner is Ellis Thomas, III). The son said I needed a much less expensive model. Fred said that the son did not know what he was talking about! Fred said that the price quoted was only good for a day or so and after my wife and I confurred in his room, we agreed and was told to sign the form. The price was $4390.

When the aids were ready, I was fitted and they really pained me. I questioned the fitting and told Ellis thast they really hurt. I told him about what Fred had said about his son. At that point, to appease me, he said he would fit me with the next next level aid which was umpteen dollars more but he would only charge $500 more to make it $4990! Stupid me, I went along.

After the second and many more fittings, the ear pieces really pained me to the point I was getting head aches. I read their brocheur thoroughly and found the statement that 'I should check with a medical doctor specializing in hearing before getting the adi' and that I was advised of that procedure.

I was NOT so advised and when I was told I "signed away my right" to see a doctor, I was shown the original document created by the closer, FRED, who of course was no longer there. I wanted a copy of that document and was told it was "private" and could not be divulged. We got into a heated argument and he stormed out asnd said he would refund my money. When I looked at the credit slip, it was for $750 LESS than what I paid. He said that was to cover his time and expenses.

I was really ripped-off! This operation was a real scam. Being told I "Signed away my rights" to something I was not apprised of was gaulling. Possibly a service charge, if that is what it might be called, of say $50 would do but not $750. This after excruciating pain because of ill-fitted piece as well as my probably being a non-candidate for such an item. This was because I was not told to see a medical doctor to be sure of wearing a hearing aid.

Mitchell
Bluffton, South Carolina
U.S.A.