Everything seems to be a 'resolvable issue' with them, I have had a reply back from my Credit Card company, they have finally received a letter from AHS regarding my dispute and they AHS are putting my complaint forward to 'head office'. We will see.

This is interesting, i wonder if i have a case even though I used them some years ago and have not mentioned things since. Is it worth speaking to customer services stating I am sending case over to Financial Ombudsman?

Hey Mac, I just read ur follow up email. Best of luck with it, I think the important thing is that u chart ur progress here so other guys can see how ur dispute was resolved.

I hope u and dave81 follow this through and keep us all posted. The good thing is that these days people know their rights and won't stand for bad service. There are great hair replacement (toupee) companies out there. If u know what ur buying and ur comfortable with it then go for it, I don't get why there has to be such mystery when u buy a system.

__________________
<A href="http://www.hairtransplantnetwork.com/blog/home-page.asp?WebID=1868">My Hair Loss Web Site</A>

Hi, I'm not in dispute with AHS but they are certainly guilty of mis-selling. I bought the strand by strand package for ?3,500 and was happy with the result. I was also OK paying ?50 every month for a haircut and on-going maintenance.

However, after 5 months my hairdresser advised that it maybe beneficial to buy a spare hair piece so that they can be alternated every month and "rested." It's at this point I contacted the owner of the franchise and was horrified to find that I could buy 2 more pieces for a discounted price of ?2,200. This is less than 6-months after shelling out ?3,500.

My main objection, and now the reason I'm looking elsewhere, is that all the costs are not made clear. I was clearly missold as there is no way I would have signed up to pay effectively ?3,000 per annum for a hair system (?2,200 for two pieces, 12 haircuts at ?50 plus shampoos, etc).

My initial suspicion that these people are not ethical has been confirmed and I hope by highlighting these costs, people will make the right choice first time.

Advanced Hair Studio – Review
I am a 26 year old. My family has a history of genetic hair loss. Loosing hair at such an early stage, I decided to look for anti-baldness treatments and finally underwent a surgery at Advanced Hair Studio Clinic in New Delhi. My experience which was not good at all is explained in detail below. I would request all of you who are considering similar treatment to read this and feel free to talk me @ plus nine one - nine nine five eight eight nine one six eight one before making a decision.
First Visit
I went to visit Advanced Hair studio for a solution to my problem of balding. I was impressed to see the great interiors and nice decor. It looked like a very friendly and amicable place. I met with Sanket with my parents. Sanket started with his rehersed sales pitch. He looked at my hair and said my requirement was for about 6,000 follicles after which I could have a full head with bounce, volume and shine. He suggested that I take a laser therapy with a 1 operation and that should solve my problem. There were two doctors on their panel who them suggested. One charged Rs 70 per follicle and other Rs 130. However, if I decided by the end of the month there could be a discount of Rs 20 on this. Overall, he gave solid sales pitch to convince that this would be the best place. He showed the contacts and photographs of all the celebrities they had treated including the personal phone numbers of a few he had. However, now I realize in the hindsight there were few details he never gave:
• The full name of the doctor and his credentials
• There was no opportunity to meet the surgeon personally
• There was no mention of what kind of therapy each one of their brand ambassadors had undergone. Even minor treatments were projected full hair gain
• There were no patient references given
• There was great attempt to keep the patient from not talking to the doctor
Plus I was promised:
• I could return to work next from surgery
• It would be a painless affair
• I would not need to take any precautions and life would be back to normal after 24 hours.
There was a great force in booking the operation date as soon as possible to get the best rates.
Next Day on Call
We discussed internally and came to the conclusion and we wanted to see the results the laser therapy before undergoing surgery. Sanket called up and we conveyed out decision. On hearing this, he completed changed his words. He said that I MUST go for surgery and not for the laser treatment as it would not yield good results in my case. He backtracked on his initial pitch. But based on his recommendation of 6,000 hair follicles I decided to undergo one surgery of 3,000 grafts in 1 sitting and evaluate the results. Now, here is where the mess starts.
On the Operation Day
The doctor came in. He was not even aware of who the patient was. He had not looked at the pictures. There was no photographs he was shown. He was also quite disinterested in overall what was communicated. There was major gap in what was told to him and what was promised to him. Apparently, he was told I would be given 4,500 grafts and 3,000. This meant our surgery costs escalated by 50% or 75,000 without even any prior information. He told me that there was NO USE OF GOING FOR 3,000 follicles. He marked on my head showing how much 3,000 follicles would cover. On the day of the surgery this misinformation campaign was happening and we were told that if we do not go through with the surgery today I would have to forfeit my deposit of Rs 50,000. We were angry and frustrated. More than anything doctor told me to get a good hair cover I need 15,000 follicles over 4 sittings. This was completely contrary to what Sanket had informed me about 6,000 follicles over 2 sittings. There was no sync in what the doctor was saying and what was promised and that too 15 minutes before the start of the procedure. Plus, I was extremely unhappy with the amount of cover that even 4,500 follicles would give me. I am apprehensive that I might not as good as I do right now and might have to undergo a second round only to overcome the patchy work of the 1st sitting and hence shelling out so much money.
I was now realizing the real truth behind the glamorous looks of studio and the real filth inside and how they mislead their patients at the last moment. The advanced hair studio people were really upset with the doctor for letting me know about the 15,000 follicles.
But I decided to go for the surgery only because I had made up my mind and I did not want to loose the money that I had deposited and all the arrangements that have been made. Surgery lasted 6 hours and only overseen by doctors. He gave the local anesthesia and part of it while most of it was handled by him which from the looks of it did not look like a team of doctors, but more like a team of semi-trained nurses. Doctor would continuously take phone calls in the middle of the procedure and also walked out several times for upto 30 minutes to meet clients and people. After having spent so much money, I expected him to at least be fully attentive at the time of surgery.
Also, I realized that the Doctor practised at several different places and in fact I could have had the same procedure done by the same doctor at much cheaper rates at the other places he practices. I was paying a great premium without getting any extra service, but only misinformation.
Also, I had no way of ensuring that the doctor really gave me 4,500 grafts or less. I could have been 3,000 and I would have no way to know.
Now, here is the second big whammy. Post the surgery, I was informed:
• I needed to ear a head cap and aband for the next 72 hours
• I had an injured head so could not go out
• I was put on heavy anti-biotics and sedatives.
• I could only work from home for the next few days
• Based on the transplanted hair might have to wear a cap for next 6 months -12 months because the patchy transplant.
• I should not do any kind of gymming, running and workouts for the 3 weeks
• I should not anything thats makes me sweat
• I should stay away from alcohol and smoking
• I should keep my head as much away from pollution, dust and heat
All this meant that:
• I could not attend to some very important official meetings and presentations where I needed to go
• There were major lifestyle changes I was not informed about
I was not informed any of this before I underwent the procedure. Plus, there is always such a huge disconnect between what the doctor says and what the studio promises that I am agast, angry and disappointed.
Conclusion
• I was prepared for 3,000 follicles but was forced to undergo 4,500 follicles in extremely coercive environment
• Doctor and Clinic never speak the same language
• I was misinformed about my requirement: 15,000 against 6,000
• I was misinformed about the post surgical precautions
• I will not recommend going to Advanced Hair Studio to anyone because they will give you a great sales pitch and convince you, but truth will come as come to the day of surgery
• I am still extremely unhappy and sceptical about the results I will get after the first round
For people who are planning to undergo such a procedure, here is my advice:
• Do not go on the swanky interiors and great sales talk: Always talk to the doctor who will perform the procedure
• Be clear on the requirements
• Talk to other patients to see if you are prepared for it
• It is a big decision which will require you to alter your lifestyle, so be prepared

Advanced Hair Studio – Review
I am a 26 year old. My family has a history of genetic hair loss. Loosing hair at such an early stage, I decided to look for anti-baldness treatments and finally underwent a surgery at Advanced Hair Studio Clinic in New Delhi. My experience which was not good at all is explained in detail below. I would request all of you who are considering similar treatment to read this and feel free to talk me @ plus nine one - nine nine five eight eight nine one six eight one before making a decision.
First Visit
I went to visit Advanced Hair studio for a solution to my problem of balding. I was impressed to see the great interiors and nice decor. It looked like a very friendly and amicable place. I met with Sanket with my parents. Sanket started with his rehersed sales pitch. He looked at my hair and said my requirement was for about 6,000 follicles after which I could have a full head with bounce, volume and shine. He suggested that I take a laser therapy with a 1 operation and that should solve my problem. There were two doctors on their panel who them suggested. One charged Rs 70 per follicle and other Rs 130. However, if I decided by the end of the month there could be a discount of Rs 20 on this. Overall, he gave solid sales pitch to convince that this would be the best place. He showed the contacts and photographs of all the celebrities they had treated including the personal phone numbers of a few he had. However, now I realize in the hindsight there were few details he never gave:
• The full name of the doctor and his credentials
• There was no opportunity to meet the surgeon personally
• There was no mention of what kind of therapy each one of their brand ambassadors had undergone. Even minor treatments were projected full hair gain
• There were no patient references given
• There was great attempt to keep the patient from not talking to the doctor
Plus I was promised:
• I could return to work next from surgery
• It would be a painless affair
• I would not need to take any precautions and life would be back to normal after 24 hours.
There was a great force in booking the operation date as soon as possible to get the best rates.
Next Day on Call
We discussed internally and came to the conclusion and we wanted to see the results the laser therapy before undergoing surgery. Sanket called up and we conveyed out decision. On hearing this, he completed changed his words. He said that I MUST go for surgery and not for the laser treatment as it would not yield good results in my case. He backtracked on his initial pitch. But based on his recommendation of 6,000 hair follicles I decided to undergo one surgery of 3,000 grafts in 1 sitting and evaluate the results. Now, here is where the mess starts.
On the Operation Day
The doctor came in. He was not even aware of who the patient was. He had not looked at the pictures. There was no photographs he was shown. He was also quite disinterested in overall what was communicated. There was major gap in what was told to him and what was promised to him. Apparently, he was told I would be given 4,500 grafts and 3,000. This meant our surgery costs escalated by 50% or 75,000 without even any prior information. He told me that there was NO USE OF GOING FOR 3,000 follicles. He marked on my head showing how much 3,000 follicles would cover. On the day of the surgery this misinformation campaign was happening and we were told that if we do not go through with the surgery today I would have to forfeit my deposit of Rs 50,000. We were angry and frustrated. More than anything doctor told me to get a good hair cover I need 15,000 follicles over 4 sittings. This was completely contrary to what Sanket had informed me about 6,000 follicles over 2 sittings. There was no sync in what the doctor was saying and what was promised and that too 15 minutes before the start of the procedure. Plus, I was extremely unhappy with the amount of cover that even 4,500 follicles would give me. I am apprehensive that I might not as good as I do right now and might have to undergo a second round only to overcome the patchy work of the 1st sitting and hence shelling out so much money.
I was now realizing the real truth behind the glamorous looks of studio and the real filth inside and how they mislead their patients at the last moment. The advanced hair studio people were really upset with the doctor for letting me know about the 15,000 follicles.
But I decided to go for the surgery only because I had made up my mind and I did not want to loose the money that I had deposited and all the arrangements that have been made. Surgery lasted 6 hours and only overseen by doctors. He gave the local anesthesia and part of it while most of it was handled by him which from the looks of it did not look like a team of doctors, but more like a team of semi-trained nurses. Doctor would continuously take phone calls in the middle of the procedure and also walked out several times for upto 30 minutes to meet clients and people. After having spent so much money, I expected him to at least be fully attentive at the time of surgery.
Also, I realized that the Doctor practised at several different places and in fact I could have had the same procedure done by the same doctor at much cheaper rates at the other places he practices. I was paying a great premium without getting any extra service, but only misinformation.
Also, I had no way of ensuring that the doctor really gave me 4,500 grafts or less. I could have been 3,000 and I would have no way to know.
Now, here is the second big whammy. Post the surgery, I was informed:
• I needed to ear a head cap and aband for the next 72 hours
• I had an injured head so could not go out
• I was put on heavy anti-biotics and sedatives.
• I could only work from home for the next few days
• Based on the transplanted hair might have to wear a cap for next 6 months -12 months because the patchy transplant.
• I should not do any kind of gymming, running and workouts for the 3 weeks
• I should not anything thats makes me sweat
• I should stay away from alcohol and smoking
• I should keep my head as much away from pollution, dust and heat
All this meant that:
• I could not attend to some very important official meetings and presentations where I needed to go
• There were major lifestyle changes I was not informed about
I was not informed any of this before I underwent the procedure. Plus, there is always such a huge disconnect between what the doctor says and what the studio promises that I am agast, angry and disappointed.
Conclusion
• I was prepared for 3,000 follicles but was forced to undergo 4,500 follicles in extremely coercive environment
• Doctor and Clinic never speak the same language
• I was misinformed about my requirement: 15,000 against 6,000
• I was misinformed about the post surgical precautions
• I will not recommend going to Advanced Hair Studio to anyone because they will give you a great sales pitch and convince you, but truth will come as come to the day of surgery
• I am still extremely unhappy and sceptical about the results I will get after the first round
For people who are planning to undergo such a procedure, here is my advice:
• Do not go on the swanky interiors and great sales talk: Always talk to the doctor who will perform the procedure
• Be clear on the requirements
• Talk to other patients to see if you are prepared for it
• It is a big decision which will require you to alter your lifestyle, so be prepared

I started experiencing Hair Loss from 2006-07, its genetic. I happened to visit Advanced Hair Studio, and fall prey in their trap, they looted Rs. 1,09,000 plus taxes from me in lieu of Laser Therapy. They provide you some stupid laser therapy which actually never works, and charge you for Mintop 10% which is easily available at medical stores for some hundred bucks in Indian rupees. They are the greatest cheat one can ever meet. They are the liars. For their FUE and FUT method, they charge you per follicle. Their surgeons Dr. Manoj Khanna and Dr. Amit Gupta are partners in crime and also crook, they transplant only 500-1000 grafts (each graft contain two or ,more hair strands) and they charge for 5000 or 6000 strands. For each strand they charge from a range of Rs. 150 to Rs. 75 depending upon your financial status. Yes Financial status, they do look at which car you have come from, which wrist watch you are wearing and which brand you carry as your mobile. Depending upon your status they pitch you the rates per follicle. You would never be able to count how many strands they have transplanted, and they charge you Rs. 5 lakhs to 6 lakhs extra without doing anything. Their CEO is Sanket shah who also claims to have undergone Hair transplantation, which is an out and out lie.
He wears a hair piece and to give body to his hair which is on clip, where as he claims that he had done two procedures one hairtranspalnt and other non surgical hair treatment from Advanced Hair Studio. Which is biggest lie.

If you wish contact me at my email id mail2gm@sify.com and I would give you all the contacts of all other customers of Advanced Hair Studio who has been cheated and suffered.

BEWARE of Advanced Hair Studio, They are SHARKS -NO RESULTS- TOTAL LOSS

Few questions for the people who are suffering from Hair Loss and want to go AHS, please ask for these questions and do ur homework before u end up losing ur money for no results.

1. AHS claims they have patented procedures, every patent has its number, please ask for that patent number for any of the procedure they offers.

2. LASER device, which they sell for Rs. 25 K to 50 K, its nothing but HAIR MAX, google it and u will find it at much cheaper price online, Advanced Hair Studio claims to be their manufacturing, actually they outsource it from HAIR MAX and sell it on double triple price depending upon the customers ignorance.

3. Ask them to show the NON SURGICAL product before paying them, which they claim to be a skin, actually its a WIG on net, which sticks on ur scalp with a local glue. Total discomfort.

It is not from UK /US lab which they falsely claim, its from some local guy in Hongkong called Bonnie, google him too and you can order ur WIG on much cheaper price directly from him. But talk to their existing client and meet them personlaay, dnt fall prey for any reference call they arrange over the phone, its their sales consultants who talk on the phone with diff names. SANKET SHAH (Gujju Businessman/Studio Manager/CEO AHS) himself does not wear his own product that is Non surgical skin, he wears a WIG which is on CLIP. Why he himself doesnt wear that glue/adhesive WIG (Skin as per them) coz its a TOTAL DISCOMFORT.

4. Moreover when u reach them first time, Sanket Shah or any other crap Sales Consultant would tell u price for LASER therapy for Rs. 1,09,000 plus taxes promotion rate and CARD rate Rs. 140,000. Ask them why there are two diff rates at the same point of time for the same therapy. Show ur interest in the LASER therapy but dnt sign for it, with a week u will start receiving mails and calls from Client Relations department for closing of the deal, take ur time, tease them and they will start offering you more rebates/discounts in the name of Corporate discount/ Chairman's Quota and it will even come down to Rs. 75,000 for the same therapy which they were pitching in ur first meeting at Rs. 1,,40,000. Now imagine the price differentiation and try to understand which LASER therapy are you trying to undergo. What health effects (hazardous) its going to ask you.

4. Ask these sales consultants and Sanket Shah, regarding his subject matter qualification, they are quacks, none of them have undergone training at Australia as they claim, if yes , where are the certificates, any International Medical Training association issues certificate when a person undergo some training, but they cannot, to the greatest irony most of these people dont even has a biology background. Just imagine to whose hands are u giving ur life.

5. Regarding FUE/FUT method, Dr. Manoj Khanna and Dr. Amit Gupta, they sometimes produce results and sometimes they end up in total disaster. Dr. Manoj Khanna is a local guy from Kolkata and he has his own clinic at Kolkata, google his name and u will find his details regarding Kolkata, there he charges Rs. 25-40 per follicle, where as same doctor when plays with ur life at Advanced Hair Studio, he charges Rs.100-150 depending upon how fool a customer is.

6. Advanced Hair Studio, in Australia only provide two products 1. LASER 2 Non Surgical Hair piece (WIG) then how come AHS India can also give u Surgical treatment, the answer is simple, its a franchise in India and not a branch , again a lie that u will hear at AHS india from SANKET SHAH, they are just brokers for some crook doctors in India. Visit their Australian website or talk to any Sales Consultant of AHS Australia, they will tell 100 problems associated with surgical procedures as they do not sell it over there, but at India you will hear thousand positive points for Surgical and Non surgical, Just think how can the same company has two different approach for two diff countries.

5. Before signing ASK them the refund policy of the company (Their is NO REFUND POLICY at Advanced Hair Studio coz they are sharks and would swallow ur money), this shows that their procedures doesnt work.
At last SANKET SHAH who claims to be (CEO/Studio Manager) to have handled Australian Studio, ask him to show his appointment letter, He cannot coz he is the franchise owner of AHS (Gujrati businessman) and has no training or subject knowledge for hair transplant, he has mugged up a well written script and recites it every time with all customers with same full stops and commas, if you interrupt him during his recitation he will request you to ask questions later and let him finish first, WHY coz he will forget the mugged up script. He is no doctor, no professional, no bio background and if someone him are u a doctor he says, " Are you down with fever or any disease, hair loss is only a condition, that idiot doesnt knows that Alopecia of anykind is in itself a disease and genetic disorder.

Please please, please. SAVE YOUR SANITY AND YOUR MONEY.
Do not have anything to do with this company. I am an ex=customer who while at the time I started with them I was absolutely desperate but i quickly learnt that there were far better and much cheaper products available all ovet the place.
I started to deal with the Birmingham branch of AHS in 2002 and paid nearly 3 grand for my first system, which on reflection now made me look like a wig wearer.
Remember that these systems are not supposed to look like anything but like your natural hair, like the ones i wear now and trust me they are invisble to the untrained eye. I play golf, do martial arts and workout regularly and it looks great and feels great. The ones that AHS supplied used to have a thick hairline at the fron and if the wind blew it gave the whole game away. I also paid nearly ?50 per month for a hair cut and refit. An absolute ripoff, now I do it myself as the other companies teach you how to do it yourself and you dont have that restriction of having to keep appointments which I found strangling my lifestyle.
The cost now is ?285.00 for the unit with swiss lace base and french lace at the front hairline using Remy hair, I have my gell'd up at the forhead and it looks great, I re-attach it usually each 3 weeks taking about 1 hour ( i have also learnt to trim my own natural hair) something I do not recommen but it is not impossible. The supplies for doing everything you need cost no more than ?55.00 per year. It is so invisible that my son only realised I wore this just before christmas.
So please do not pay the thousands that companies like AHS want to charge you and dont let them tell you that their systems are superior to all others because they are not In fact their systems are the ones that most other suppliers call 'stock systems' that you are normally charged $199.00 for and are very basic and cheap systems, rubbish really. If any one wants more help pls reply on this forum and I am only too please to help as I am a customer an end user NOT a supplier with an ulterior motive.
PS I have also now had 3 friends whohave surgical hair replacemeent with a Dr Sohi in Chandigarh and will soon be able to check out some results hopefully within the next 6 months or so. I am considering this route and for value for money and some normality in life will judge by the results that I see and will keep you posted..

Hi root for me.
I am in a similar situation in that I am currently wearing a bad system from advanced and are getting fed up! I have already paid for a second one which I have not had made yet. Your latest system sounds fantastic. Could you tell me where you got it from. I looked up remy hair but this seems to be generic hair.
Your post has given me some confidence that I will get to where I want to be eventually.
Andy