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  • Report:  #674202

Complaint Review: Octapharma Plasma

Octapharma Plasma Payment ripoff Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Reported By:
    rantan — Mooresville North Carolina United States of America
  • Submitted:
    Wed, December 22, 2010
  • Updated:
    Thu, August 11, 2011
  • Octapharma Plasma
    5108 Reagan Drive
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    United States of America
  • Phone:
  • Category:

Due to the economic mess, I found myself needing the extra money available by donating plasma. I started at a different location owned by Octapharma, and quit when the technicians almost ruined my arm from incompetent needle sticks. I changed to a different location, which was then owned by IBR. The service was much faster, the technicians were much better qualified, and you were paid cash on the spot.

After a couple of months, this location was acquired by Octapharma, and things immediately went downhill. First, they started paying by check, which is less convenient, but still acceptable. Then, staffing levels were cut, so wait times increased. Then, they cut the payment made for donating. Finally, they began paying with a Citibank debit card. Now, if you want cash from an ATM, it will cost you whatever the owner of the ATM wants to charge you. I used one listed on Citi's website, and it cost me $3. That may not sound like much, but I'm not there to support Citibank, or any other bank. I was also hit with a charge for getting cash back with a grocery store purchase. Avoid these people, you can do better.

1 Updates & Rebuttals


Angela

Ward,
Arkansas,
United States of America

I disagree...

#2Consumer Comment

Thu, August 11, 2011

I am a donor at the Little Rock, AR Octopharma center and have never once had a problem with the staff.  They are always very helpful and friendly.  Sure, there are times when a donor has to wait a little longer, just like anything else in life.  Some of the staff are better than others at sticking needles, just like any medical establishment.  There are many people who don't have bank accounts (myself included), so I was quite pleased when they switched from payment by check to the card.  If a person REALLY wants cash, all you have to do is go to any store that accepts debit cards where you can get cash back with your purchase (I use Wal-Mart).  Buy a pack of gum or something super cheap, get your desired cash back and Citibank only charges fifty cents per debit transaction.  Fifty cents is no big deal!  You can also use your card as a credit card transaction absolutely free ONCE PER DONATION.  If you just HAVE to have cash, the debit transaction is the way to go, otherwise use it as you would any credit card, anywhere (except gas pumps, you have to actually hand it to the teller inside to do that).  There is also no limit on the card; you can save every penny of it if you so choose, for a large purchase or an emergency fund.  I think Octopharma is a very professional organization and will continue donating plasma as long as possible.  While I'm no great fan of Citibank, I rather like the Octopharma Citibank card.

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