Hasn't this bad economy effected the HT industry?

[LT]

I am thinking about possibly getting another HT. I started looking at some prices on websites of a few coalition doctors and I was pretty annoyed. The prices haven't budged since the last time I looked which was about 3 years ago.

 

How the hell are doctors still charging these astronomical prices like $10 per FUE per graft during these times? I highly doubt business is booming for HT doctors when people are losing their jobs, homes and no end in sight. Why the hell the prices still jacked up for a HT?

[Maxxy]

That's it though, business is still booming for clinics, especially the top clinics. I'm not sure if there has been a knock-on effect or not, or if clinics have seen a decrease in customers, however, I'm pretty sure if you were to try and book in with a top clinic now, there would still be a few months wait (unless there was a cancellation).

 

The reason prices haven't budged much is that clinics simply don't need to change them at this point, there are still waiting lists.

[thanatopsis_awry]

Prices have decreased, and deals are out there, it simply hasn't really hit the upper echelon of clinics, like Maxxy has detailed. There are enough bald people, and there always will be, that it would take an absolute decimation of the economy to truly impact top-tier HT practices, IMO. That said, $10/g is on the very high end of pricing, and isn't an absolute reflection of how much a HT must cost you.

 

It might very well be location based, too. Dr's Feller, Bernstein, who I believe charge 10/g for FUE are located in or around NYC.

 

Having just moved to NYC, I'd confidently say that there are very, VERY few true deals going around in that area, and that quality goods/services are in no way in desperate shape of finding customers.

 

The economy is in poor shape -- comparitively speaking -- but go into most major cities and walk around and it'l be readily apparent that an abundance of wealth is still circulating. I would only say the economy is even "bad" because of the..."solutions"....being crammed down our throats.

 

I do think HT costs will greatly go down, though, IMHO, in this decade, if things continue. Future bubbles similiar to the mortgage market loom (union pensions, e.g.), and if the government's -- "solutions" -- continue as such we might just be getting some Depression Specials in the near future.

[Manko]

Thana - I gladly paid $10 per FUE to Feller. Yes, the economy is bad, but if you want a top doc, you've got to pay the price.

[thanatopsis_awry]

Manko, without a doubt I essentially agree with your premise. And in the last major thread by a Feller FUE patient I vociferously defended the patient's justification and right to gladly pony up the $10/g.

 

That said, it's not as if one *must* pay $10/g.

 

For one, one doesn't *need* to have the supreme luxury of getting FUE to begin with! We are talking about an incredibly specialized subset of an already specialized and rare service.

 

But even within this, $10/g for FUE represents but one viable option for someone to consider.

[Forrest Gump]

LT, it's not only the HT industry - I am seeing quite a few other industries doing very well.

 

Earlier today, I went to a pretty decent (quite upscale) restaurant for lunch, and had to wait almost 30 minutes to get a table. After that, I went to the mall, and had to wait quite a bit to find a parking spot... most people in the mall had several packages, from top stores, in their hands... that is, people are still buying expensive stuff.

 

Perhaps certain geographical areas of the country and certain groups of people have been more badly hit. People who still have jobs (90% of the population) are spending as they usually do. Hence, the HT industry hasn't been affected.

[Blake Bloxham]

I don't know if HT is immune, or if the fairly reasonable prices compared to most cosmetic procedures are keeping it afloat, but I have several friends in cosmetic surgery (various focuses, all fairly broad), and they say business is horrible.

[dakota3]

Especially if you're a "socialist democrat" who actually spends money on the people of the U.S. (hello healthcare)

 

LOL... I do agree with you for the most part but saying the government is spending money on us is like saying my 1 year old kid bought me a christmas present. Sure the tag might say it's from him but I ultimately paid for it. BTW how'd the cash for clunkers work out?

[niceguy.un]

Dr. True is in NYC area, performing a superb surgery and charge more reasonable prices for FUE. I believe it's about $8/graft.

[bighosedragger]

I believe Dr. Shapiro is charging around $6.00 a graph for fue.

[TC17]

And let's not forget about all of the European doctors. Even with the exchange rate being unfavorable for US citizens, you can get FUE and strip cheaper there than you can in the states.

[Ron J]

Originally posted by hair_me_out:

yapyapyap FOX NEWS! yipyapyap OBAMA BASHING! yippityyapyap BAD, MILITARY, BAD!

 

"So if your tax dollars are going to be spent (which they will regardless of which party is in power)"...

 

the question isn't *if* tax dollars will be spent; the question IS how much and on what. Obama has spent more than every other president in history COMBINED! And managed to do so all in his first year in office. And btw, the government is trying to usurp authority to force people to buy HC; they don't have the authority to do such a thing, and don't give me the disanalogy of auto insurance because the difference is YOU can hurt/kill someone ELSE in a car. I know, the constitution is a horrible document for liberals such as yourself, eh? (yawns). This entitlement attitude has got to end if you ask me. No one is BORN w/the right to HC. Individuals have sacrificed their own: blood, sweat, tears, and money to go to medical school and yet you think your BORN w/the "right" to the fruits of their labor (?)...Can you explain that to me?

 

And this makes you a gooOoOoOod 21st century Democrat?

 

Since you can "DEFINITELY" argue that we'd be in an economic DEPRESSION if it wasn't for Obama's magical mystery stimulus packages, why don't you explain this causality to a layman like myself, and so many others, yes?

 

In short time, you've proved yourself to be emotionally lined against the free market, the American workforce, and the military. With a few more years of reading Code Pink newsletters you MIGHT be able to INTELLECTUALLY align yourself against America and we can actually have a debate.

[phil mascallpen]

Originally posted by Ron J:

Obama has spent more than every other president in history COMBINED! And managed to do so all in his first year in office.

 

I love it when people just make sh*t up. Your statement about Obama spending more than all other presidents combined has zero basis in fact. Yes because of the stimulus spending has increased but it's still only about twice an average year under Clinton and a little less than twice an average year under Bush. A far cry from your bizarre claim.

 

And you do realize that the first $800 million dollars of the stimulus was signed into law by Bush don't you? And that over a trillion dollars has been spent on the Iraq war?

 

No matter how you feel about Obama or Bush some basis in fact would be a nice starting point.

[dakota3]

Cash for clunkers worked out like *ANY* stimulus project should -- it got money flowing. That's the whole point!

 

So if your tax dollars are going to be spent (which they will regardless of which party is in power) you don't want it to be spent on things that will benefit Americans? You'd rather keep pumping money into Iraq? Nice

 

Ask the dealerships how cash for clunkers is working out. You know the ones that are still having a hard time getting thier money from the government.

 

And oh ya I re-read my post and I cant find where I said I wanted to keep pumping money into Iraq??? Im not an elephant or a donkey so I have no agenda or preferance. I think both parties do an aweful job running this country. They are too concerned with shitting on eachother and ignore the wishes of the american people. If a republicans in office we wish a democrat was and vice/versa.

 

BTW when did this become a political forum?

[rpachigo]

I don't think politics belong on a hair restoration forum. Having said that, Obama is bankrupting our country.

[mattj]

Hair transplants were never a poor man's option, and I guess there are still plenty of people who are financially secure enough (or who can just about scrape together enough funds) for a transplant.

[hair_me_out]

Out of respect for Bill and all forum posters, I've deleted my political commentary. It was not appropriate or in line with the theme of these boards.

[HairHope]

Go to a cheaper part of the country for a HT...

 

In NYC $10 will buy you a hot dog if your lucky and the vendor has day olds.