Disturbing Sales Tactics – and More – at Dr. William Boothe’s “Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center” in Plano, Texas

ByJohn P.

boothe-eye-care-free-consultationThe Boothe Eye Care & Laser Center in Plano, Texas advertises constantly on the radio in the Dallas area about Dr. Boothe being the “world’s most experienced” laser surgeon. Well, my wife was thinking about getting this done, and she did a little poking around on their Web site and noticed that they offered a FREE consultation, so she decided to go see if she was eligible.

(I should point out here that she’d pretty much made up her mind to do it, so this “client” was theirs to lose!) So, anyway, she made an appointment to go in and find out what all was entailed with this surgery, being pretty sure she wanted to do it, but a little anxious about it. Perfectly normal I would say… Everything seemed fine until she arrived to the office, where she learned she needed to pay $150 to have the consultation!

It should be noted that they advertise on the radio and internet that the consultation is FREE (um, see the image above). And she called them out on this, but their excuse was, “well, the money goes towards the surgery if you decide to have it.” She actually got roped into giving them her credit card and taking a seat before she called me because she was so uncomfortable with the “bait and switch” tactic they were employing.

By the way, now that I do a little research, Dr. Booth has a TERRIBLE rating on DoctorScoreCard.com. Just 4 out of 10! But I’ll get to that in a moment…

On With the Story…

When we talked she told me what was going on and I advised her to just go tell the woman she changed her mind, and that she didn’t want the appointment and to refund the money. Somehow though, the lady talked her into staying (they must be awfully smooth to override a husband). So she went ahead with the consultation and determined that she is actually a candidate for eye surgery, after which came the high-pressure sales pitch!

At this point, she had the information we needed to make an informed decision, and she told them that she wanted to talk it over with her husband before moving forward, at which time they told her that the pricing she had been given prior to the consultation was only good while she was in the office. If she left and then wanted the surgery it was going to cost $200 more because the pricing would no longer be valid!

Now, I don’t know about you, but I find this type of behavior to be outrageous and completely out of character with what I would expect from a “doctor”. I guess that Dr. Boothe must have hired people who used to sell vacation packages or used cars to sell his eye surgery. But whatever the case, it is absolutely unethical to pressure people into making a snap decision on a surgical operation. My guess is that they only continue this practice because no one is talking loudly about it, or because they can’t cut through the noise of the Internet. We’ll see if this blog post does the trick, shall we?

Some Bad, Bad Experiences

So, why should anyone trust a doctor who begins his relationship with clients this way? Frankly, I can’t answer that question. I wouldn’t. But in my investigation after the fact, things got much worse. Here are some direct quotes from DoctorScoreCard.com about other people’s experiences with Dr. Boothe:

  • From someone who had a similar experience to my wife’s:

    But I soon found out I would not get to meet with Dr. Boothe unless I paid a $150 deposit toward the surgery! So, that was it…I was out of there!! They were herding people around like cattle and I couldn’t wait to escape.

  • From someone who had tear duct surgery:

    He’s very matter-of-factly condescending, and is quite capable of making you feel quite stupid in the event you have the audacity to disagree. So, he attempted to do the surgery and it hurt a lot. I’m not sure if he didn’t use enough anesthetic, didn’t wait long enough, or what, but it was terrible. My mother and I protested mid-surgery and left right away never to return again. Later I found a new family doctor in the area and decided to ask her what the eye issue could be. She said it wasn’t an eye issue at all, it was an issue related to allergies. She said Boothe should have known this and redirected me to an allergist and should never have attempted surgery.

  • From a former employee of Dr. Boothe’s who Dr. Boothe is suing:

    It bothers me to see a man who has almost blinded people, talks to his staff in the manner he does and hides behind his papers. if you dont want people to say bad things about you, or disstroy your reputation then maybe you should do your job, maybe you should get off your high horse and rejoin reality and treat people as humans and not door mates, it truely makes me wonder how you treat your family.

  • By someone who claims to have felt treated like cattle:

    My counselor’ (not a doctor) finally came and explained the procedure. I finally agreed (I shouldn’t have) and showed up at 6:45 am for an 8:00 am surgery. I got to the waiting room at 7:35 with 4 people ahead of me. At 10:00 I was finally escorted to the surgery room AFTER more than 6 people who had arrived after me. At 11:00 I left the surgery, not performed, because they took every last person in the room before me. I asked, NO EXPLANATION. I told them why I was leaving…not one person spoke to me. This business is run like a cattlecall with very little regard to the individual.

  • This one from a patient with multiple problems:

    I would highly recommend not using Dr. Boothe. The man is rude, egotistical, arrogant, unprofessional, and uncaring. He yells at and threatens his employees within earshot of his patients (I witnessed this in the operating room, of all places). He has no personality and no people skills. The only thing you’ll get out of him is specifically what you ask him, so you’d better hope you know the right questions to ask. He’s really only interested in getting your money and offers you a discount if you get your procedure done the same week you have your first consultation. Don’t fall for this — you really need to take the time to research this and make sure you’re making the right decision.

  • This supposedly from another employee:

    I have read over other comments and would like to confirm that as a former employees wife Dr. Boothe is an out of control employer. He belittles employees infront of patients and peers. He uses profanity while doing this. Patients call frequently to the office to complain about this but he praises himself that he rules his office with an iron fist. (Something he is quite proud of). His employees are afraid of him but apparently need a job so sit back and take it. While this one didn’t and I wish the others were able to do the same. As for his number of lasiks performed. He does 120-150 in one day. Ask which one you will be if you plan on scheduling. Advertising every 10 minutes on the radio brings in alot of people. Not too many patients come referred by others. Too bad they don’t know what kind of physician they are supporting.

  • Here is another very bad complaint:

    Now I can’t see near or far….everything is blurry and I can read up close ONE WORD AT A TIME….don’t ask me to read a sentence or a street sign. the office tried to rush me into doing the second eye before the first healed…Then I would be almost blind in both eyes and unable to work DO NOT TRUST THIS MAN ….he just wants your money and thinks he’s above the law because he makes you sign the desclaimers. On the lasik…they did not want me to read the warnings but I had to write in my own handwriting that i read and understood it but they didn’t let me read it. i CANNOT BELIEVE I WAS SO STUPID.

  • Another client complaining about their treatment:

    The lasik surgeon I chose does not meet the reputation thought. Long wait times, numbers mean more than quality and an unfriendly atmosphere along with a surgeon who has no personality have left me with subpar lasik at this point. I was told to give it a year but my review is based on my experience. I will follow up in 6 months and let you know if it gets better. I feel like when your wait 6 hours just for your pre surgery and 2.5 hours each followup you should get better service and have experience employees who have college degrees.

  • And the complaints range back to at least 2006:

    This doctor has committed malpractice in his employees eyes but threatens them with legal action of a non-disclosure agreement they have sign. He has also fallen asleep during surgery (This can be confirmed by his staff). He also treats his staff like they are slaves and not human beings, yes they are getting paid but even I wouldn’t work for what I’m hearing them say he calls them and the way he treats them. He is always firing his office staff because of incompetency when he is the one who is incompetent. Today he has had two of his staff walk out of the surgery room and quit. One being a technician and another being an ophthalmologist. His office is also out of regulations concerning health laws. I highly do not recommend going to this doctor.

  • Even the owner of DoctorScoreCard.com believes Dr. Boothe hired someone to illegally threaten, defame and spam him.

    This is the first doctor to resort to these unethical tactics. Most doctors are good and this one lone doctor does not represent the majority.

    Dr. Boothe: When you read this, I suggest you contact Bill Stanley, the spammer, and tell him to stop damaging your reputation more than you already have done for yourself.

    Bill Stanley, the spammer, with the help of his international team, is filling websites with hateful lies about me and my family and even worse… he is damaging the reputations of innocent doctors on this site by posting false information about them, which we have been deleting all day. The spammer is committing crimes of harassment, defamation, libel, and destruction of property.

    For everyone else: We stand up for your right to speak freely. Don’t let anyone ever intimidate you to give up your rights.

Further reading:

So, I guess people have to make their own mind up. But as for me, I’m not letting my wife subject her vision to this physician’s practice.

EDIT: Sorry everyone who wishes to comment! I’ve closed the comments on this post because SOMEONE has specifically targeted this article with a barrage of comment spam. They obviously felt that it would either harm the search rankings, or simply drown out the legitimate comments.

If you have a story you’d like to add, feel free to contact me on Twitter or Google+ and I’ll add your comment manually.

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John P.

John P. is a former CEO, former TV Show Host, and the Founder and Wizard behind Texas Metal Works. You can find him on X, Facebook and LinkedIn. Feel free to send shoutouts, insults, and praise.

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28 Comments

  1. My consultation appointment is scheduled for 9:15 AM tomorrow morning. After reading the negative comments, I now plan to cancel the appointment and seek an appointment with another doctor with better reputation.
    mdb

  3. Dr.Booth did my LASIK surgery about a week ago. I’ve seen that all the complaints on here and most sites are about how Dr.Boothe isn’t friendly or he has no people skills. Does it really matter what his people skills are? Another thing is yeah they push you through like cattle but unlike other doctors that sit there and hold your hand he just does what he has to do. He gets everything done in a matter of seconds. He doesn’t just sit there and baby you. He’s straight to the point. Also people just want a special individual treatment. Your getting surgery, not getting a massage at the spa. If you follow the instructions and use the medicine you’ll be seeing just fine. My visions currently 20/15. I’ve spent 13 years with glasses on and now I have more than perfect vision. People think that he’s going to hold your hand and baby you, it’s not going to happen. He gets everything done. Thankfully he did everything quickly and he got everything done. Even my dad got his vision 20/20. What more could you ask for? On a quick side note one of the other doctors was super hot so I don’t mind seeing him instead of Dr.Boothe.

    1. I think the problem is, when they are pushing you through like cattle, its all fine and dandy if you are lucky enough to have a good outcome like you did. But if you had a bad outcome like so many other people, then you really wish you hadn’t gone to someone that sped through your exam. You will have wished that the doctor had taken the extra time to think about your surgery. You will have wished that he wasn’t out just for the money, that you had gone with someone that didn’t blast advertise, and that he actually cared about your result.

  4. I’m glad I came across this and thank you for your lengthy, thoughtful post. It was ironic as I left a free consultation for LASIK today (will not say where), a commercial came on the radio that Dr. Boothe would do LASIK for only $1,250 per eye! This sounded very enticing as the place I left (not a “big name advertiser” but good doctor) is charging $2,200 per eye! So with Dr. Boothe, I could basically get half off.

    But I love that my consultation truly was free today. I also love that I called on Monday and they could have seen me that afternoon, but I was busy and the soonest I could come in was this morning. They worked around MY schedule! Nothing close to a cattle call. In fact, no one else was even there when I arrived! 1 person waiting for his appointment when I left.

    You have just reinforced me to continue down my path and to pay more for better service. Thank you!

    1. I had both eyes done about 12 years ago. Now my left eye is blurry but I do not want to go back to another well known LASIK surgeon who pratices in the cattle call. I would love to know which Doctor you are referring to who you have written good things about. Did you have good results from your LASIK surgery?

  5. I want to whole heartedly agree with everything said!!!! I got pressured into the decision. I did manage to convince them to not bill the $150 up front, but after getting bullied into going ahead with it (I say that looking back on the experience. As with anyone who has been conned into buying a vacation package, at the time I thought it was great!) I went through with the procedure.

    Besides all the problems I had leading up to the procedure, I still thought it surely can’t be this bad. When I was having the procedure, the piece that holds your eyes open, didn’t fit right on me. Instead of this being a personalized service (since they were just pumping us through the surgury room like we were cattle getting branded) Dr. Boothe proceded to try and fit it on like it was a piece of plumbing that didn’t fit right. He pushed and shoved so hard I was shaking from the pain.

    During that whole experience he was talking to the other employees like I wasn’t even there. He never spoke to me that whole time.

    On top of that, my right eye has regressed and needs the one “FREE” lifetime enhancement. Now I am being told in order to get the “FREE” enhancement, I am REQUIRED to go in for an office checkup which will cost me $150. How is that free????

    NOONE should use Dr. Boothe! He should be banned.

  6. I question the advertising that he has done over 126,000 surgeries personally. According to my calculations, that would be over 13 a day, 6 days a week, for 30 years!!! If this is true, I really would not want to use someone that herds people through like that.

  7. I recently had surgery at the “camp”. I should have ran immediatley after talking with one of the staff members who was assisting post-op. the guy went on to say how disrepectful and demanding the 60hr work week can be. But I kind of brushed it off thinking it was probably just someone negative. So accepted the terms and awaited anxiously tobe able to get rid of the glasses I have worn for the last 15 or so years. Arrived at my scheduled time to a locked door with staff looking at me pulling at the door with no response to guide me in the right direction. I stood there astounded thinking I should just go home because this is just down right rude but heck they had my $150 in the register. I was able to get in from another cattle that pulled in and had instruction that I hadnt to go to the side door. Fast forward … finally I headed to the back and was called along with another lady she walked ahead and did not have on her call tag in which the guy asked that she display her name she didnt not understand. So he replied for sarcastically you came here to fix your eyes not ears hunny are you sure you’re in the right place. “RUN” flashed in my brain cells but I walked ahead to the cold chamber. Wrapped in a used blanket from the body before me.BLAH BLAH so whom I’m guessing was dr. Booth hovers in my ear to state my name I respond his never given…. he is hovering over me obviously an investment gone bad he is making comments like he has messed with the wrong one,I’m the last one he would wanna mess with i’m terrified wanting to just “RUN” I’m mid zap. Should I erase my email I thinl I should he sound like he has the mob behind him

  9. Do not! I repeat! Do not go to this guy for LASIK or any eye procedure for that matter. A very close friend of mine used to work for Boothe and what he told me was shocking! Unlicensed people are working in the OR. This guy is ruthless to his employees and patients (once he takes your money). His name should be at the top of the list for people who’s license should be revoked permanently! Fraud and abuse on so many levels; operating on patients who ARE NOT CANDIDATES FOR LASIK!!!
    If you have been mistreated or are a victim of malpractice. Write a letter or call the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and submit a complaint. This is the best thing you can do to get this crook away from ever practicing medicine again.

  10. I read this blog entry after having a surgery at the center. My experience was much different – although the place is packed and wait time is long before and after surgery, the actual LASIK was done very quickly and I did not feel pain, my eyes were numbed with some anesthetic drops. The doctor was serious and skilled, maybe a bit dry but he was not mean to me or to his staff on any of my visits. It’s been 4 months and I now have a 20/15 vision.

  13. I would like to let people know just what this doctor did to people in the city of Palestine Texas when he was flying down here to do operations once a week or so. He did so many in one day that I know a woman who had been given the block for her eye but wasn’t taken until last and half way through the surgery it wore off and the woman FELT everything that was going on, but was told she had to be still and bear it or she might lose sight in that eye. The doctor caught part of her iris in a stitch as well and she had trouble with it until she died a few years ago. I know there was a court case but the doctor settled for a penance because the lawyer told the woman she wouldn’t make a good witness. If anyone knows how to look up such things in archives it should be there.

  14. I went in to get a consultation about having a cataract fixed. The website stated that they had the lens I wanted. The man scheduling the appointment said that they had the lens. Once I got there and the tests were run, I was informed that the cheapest generic monofocal lens was BETTER than the top of the line multifocal lens on the market and that Boothe absolutely would not do the surgery. They lied about the quality of the lens I wanted to my face, and when I corrected them (since I’ve done extensive research on the lens), I was told I was wrong and lied to again.

    To make matters worse, I was told that once I paid, that Boothe got to choose what lens he placed in my eye, not me. That’s worse than going to a car lot and the salesman taking your money and giving you the car he wants. You can get a new car. You can’t get a new eye.

  15. Actually you are lucky he didn’t throw your file at you and tell you to get the hell out of his office. Consider yourself lucky. It is like a near miss with a macco shark and a piece of chum.

  16. Hi Goran,
    I use to work for him. He is beyond a monster. He does treat his employees like slaves and will fire anyone at anytime for the smallest thing, such as moving a trash can in his office. Seriously! He would hire private detectives to work in the office because he thought he was being spyed upon-a mole- he called it.
    He has a hard core cut throat temper that would make any sadist jealous.
    The reason all the consultants and other sales people are so pushy is that their job is quite literally on the line. No second chances.
    The reason the news media doesn’t do stories about him is the advertising dollars he throws at them.

  17. I had the exact same experience today. I was highly pressured to make a huge decision and was not given the opportunity to think about it or talk about it with my spouse. I was required to make the decision on the spot. I did not have the opportunity to consult with my spouse for example about surgery dates, scheduling, asking for time off from work, etc… I will never go back! Be very careful and do research.

  18. Just got back from Boothe. WOW’ I won’t go into every detail because they are identicle to those experienced above.
    After waiting two and a half hours, I finally got to meet the GOD of LASIK.
    He entered the room, never introduced himself, and asked what was my problem. After waiting this long, paying $150.00 for a FREE exam, I told him I was upset with the entire “cattle-call”. He stood up and said “maybe we shouln’t do this surgery”. I told him to give me my refund and I gladly leave.
    He turned and walked out telling one the receptionist to make the refund.
    I would think he would of came into the room stating I’m Dr Boothe, soory for the long wait, and what can do for you?
    Instead this arrogant, no personality, idiot acted like he was doing me a favor by taking mt $4000.00.

    I’m a businessman and would have NO customers if I treated people this way….

  19. I had lasik surgery at Boothe in 2006 and the sales pitch had some pressure behind it but not too bad. The day of the surgery was unbelievable as I got there at 7am for an 8am appointment also and didn’t get my cornea flap done until about 10am. The it took about another 45 minutes before the procedure was done. They were leading me around with my eyes closed and complained when I wouldn’t walk faster. Dude, I CAN’T SEE. All the follow ups were at least 2 hour affairs as his office doesn’t have the space for all the people that go there. It’s like Six Flags in the summer. I actually needed correction on my right eye and that went a little smoother, but not much. I have 20/20 vision now and I’m glad I did it but the experience there was NOT enjoyable at all.

  20. OMG, that’s horrible, John! I wondered about him, since he talks about having done so many and how he’s “so popular” – that definitely raised red flags for me. I’m so glad that your wife got out of there when she did! I will tweet this post, too! And I will try to remember to blog about it when I get back from D.C.

  21. That is quite a scary story. A serious hard-sell by a charlatan that could leave you blinded for life! I hope this person gets his come-uppance real soon! Thank God your wife didn’t have the surgery!

  22. have holly ask her eye doctor who the best guy is in the area, its probably the guy that does all the cowboys/mavericks/etc.

    price…come on, I’d say the more expensive the better.

  23. Well John, the internet is quite powerful. And Twitter can help spread the message pretty well. Totally unacceptable behavior by the doctor and his team. What was he thinking?

  24. I have two good friends who have gotten their eyes done by Dr. Beebe at Cornea Associates of Texas (http://www.corneatexas.com). Dr. Beebe is known to fix the screw ups of Dr. Boothe. So why not go to him in the first place? Also, this is a true eye surgeon who deals with all cornea surgeries, not just a fly by night lasik mill. Dr. Beebe also did my grandmother’s cataract surgery.

    Just a tip if someone is looking for someone decent.

  25. My husband had Dr. Boothe perform his lasik and we agree that he is cold and rude. No people skills. Greg never went back even though his surgery was not entirely successful as he still needs glasses. We just didn’t want to be anywhere near that man again. He does run a cattle call operation, with so many people through there in a day that he can’t possible to a good job on them. That is why he has done more surgeries than any doctor in the world. I would rather have a doctor with fewer surgeries under his belt and who actually takes the time to treat you like a human being.

  26. Wow – I live in Plano, TX and having been hearing Boothe’s commercials all the time. I have considered getting eye surgery but always thought I would try to find a surgeon who didn’t advertise. The excessive advertising always makes question the quality.

    I do have a name of a eye surgeon here in Plano that a friend raves about. This doctor doesn’t advertise :) Send me an email if you are interested.

    Thanks for the great article, I’ll keep it handy to share with friends who are considering the surgery.

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