Complaint Review: Dr. Stuart Wieder DDS - Glens Falls New York

I had an appointment at Dr. Wieder's office for May 26th; I lost my keys the night before and couldn't find them. I rescheduled for May 27th; resigning that I was going to have to ride my bike in. That morning, it was pouring and I decided to cancel; I explained the specifics to the secretary Ingrid, and she commented:

"Well, would you like to call us back when you can actually KEEP an appointment?"

I let it slide, at first. But as I thought about it I got more angry; I hate the fact that company employees these days feel like they can toss in snide little comments anytime they want and get away with it...so I called back to complain. Ingrid picked up. I asked if the office manager was in....turns out SHE'S the office manager! (Let that sink in...) So, I tell her I'd rather not talk to her, and (civilly) ask to speak to her supervisor...she says she can forward me to one of the Dr.'s assistants, Diane, who's probably sitting at the desk right next to her.

You know those people who always "say" the right things but their tone says "I really don't care what you're complaining about...I just want to get off the phone?" Yeah...that's Diane. So, livid now, I tell her to put Dr. Wieder on the phone. SHE HANGS UP!

I hit "record" on my digital phone line recorder and call back.

I get....Ingrid again. She starts in, while being recorded, about how she was "nothing but nice to me" and that "now she's going to give me a piece of her mind!"

I reply "oh yeah...while you're being paid? You're representing Dr. Wieder, and you're talking to patients like this???" SHE HANGS UP!

I call back and ask for Dr. Weider...she says "what don't you understand...Dr. Wieder is with a patient, he'll call you back"? I say, "so are you going to apologize to me?" Her response? "No, I think YOU need to apologize to ME!" I ask for Dr. Weider again, SHE HANGS UP!

Keep in mind that during this whole time, while being recorded, she never once actually asked for my home phone number so that the Dr. can call me back.

So, now I have to call and ask if they actually have my number...she recites it, and I tell her that I've recorded our entire series of conversations, and that I'll be bringing the proof to the office....to have her fired.

TWENTY SECONDS LATER...Dr. Wieder calls! Surprise!

He AGREES with his staff, and apparently is totally OK with the fact that they can abuse patients at will! He also states..."did you secure permission from Ingrid to record the call?" Uh..well, in NY the law states that only one party on the line needs to be aware that they're being recorded. So, what's his next issue? He says he's going to CALL THE POLICE because I'm "haranguing his staff"....AND HE ACTUALLY DOES!!!! Ten minutes later, I have a Glens Falls Police Officer on my doorstep!!!! I can't make this stuff up if I tried!

Since I've committed NO CRIME, nothing comes of it; the officer leaves and asks me not to call again (as if that will EVER happen).

Anyway....I guess the status quo today is to simply shut your mouth whenever a secretary, or any other "Customer Service" lackey in the world decides to verbally abuse you (while on the clock)...after all, YOU ONLY PAY THEIR SALARIES, RIGHT???

Jay

Glens Falls, New York

U.S.A.