My expensive trip to the astrologer

[lilllybelle]

So I made an appointment to see a local astrologer, that I had heard a couple of people give good reviews too. I payed $150 in advance. I got the time confused and showed up for my appointment and hour late. I thought it would be o.k. and they would reschedule. No they informed me that she had been gracious enough to tape the reading for me. I personally think a taped reading is as good as a personal reading. I certainally don't think it's worth $150. I mean you can't ask the tape the questions that you booked the whole reading with the intention of asking. I was never given a courtesy reminder call. Yes, it was my responsibility to keep the appointment time straight, but at 150 dollars a hour you would think she could call me. I guess from her perspective it doesn't really matter if I show because she gets her money no matter what. So I raised hell about how I was never informed of her policy and, after much debate, they offered to give me the tape, which was only a thirty minute reading by the way, for free. I refused that offer and told them I would pay half price for it. I didn't think I should get the tape for free. I just didn't think I had agreed to a taped reading at a $150. I mean if they have that strict of a policy, they should make you aware of it and give curtesy reminder calls. So I ended up paying $75 for it. Well people it seems astrologers are getting like to be like credit card companys, you have to read the fine print. While I am on soap box how do astrologer ever intend to be counselors with the prices they charge. I have personally seen a counselor every week for the past 9 months. With the prices astrologers charge you could never see one on a regular basis, you could only see one when you have a crisis. Astrologers complain they only get customers when their clients are having problems. Maybe there is a reason for that. As for the reading I got today it was pretty lousy. It didn't tell me anything I didn't know. I could of got the stuff out of any cookbook astrology book. It was a transit reading and she didn't even do a solar arc chart. None of the question I had were answered . I mean how can you really do a reading for a person you've never met without any feedback from them. She also made a big deal about how she does her charts by hand, but I noticed her hand made chart had errors in it. Well thank you for listening to me rant. Lilllybelle

[Frisiangal]

Hi Liliybelle,
You seem to be familiar with astrological symbolism, so why did you consult an astrologer in the first place? What was it that you expected her to tell you that you didn't already know? Most astrologers simply confirm that which we are aware of but aren't ready to face.

In defence of practising astrologers, they don't know someone is going to be late until it actually happens, do they, even allowing 15 minutes for unexpected hold ups? So, there's little point in a reminder call. An astrologer isn't a wake-up service in that sense......although she may well be in another!;) I think the astrologer acted decently in providing you with a, albeit short, taped version of your chart. Had you missed a dr.'s or dental appointment, you would have paid the full whack with nothing to see for it. In your possible temporary anger and frustration you might think the astrolger has said nothing new. But if you listen to the tape again when your mind and feelings are calmer, you might hear something you had not considered or heard before, especialy regarding the effect of the transits.

With an hour's appointment, I don't see how the astrologer could be thorough enough to give you a natal, transit and progressed chart reading, so can appreciate that she didn't have time for a solar arc but offered information that could be of immediate help to you through the transits. But that maybe just me because I always tell clients to allow 2.1/2 hours for a first reading (including coffee and break), and 75 minutes for any follow-ups.

The astrologer's prices seem very high compared to my part of the world, but if it's her means of income to live? You might remember that hand drawn charts, as I also do from computer provided data otherwise I can't read them, does take time and that is also what you are paying for, as well as any time taken to take in what the charts are implying before you arrive. This said, if you have discovered errors in the chart she did for you with correctly provided data, you have every right to a full refund, as she is not describing you or your circumstances as they truly are, even had you been on time for the appointment. She has provided a false impression.....I'd almost expect (transiting) Black Moon Lilith to be hovering somewhere:).

I hope you will not judge or tar all astrologers with the same brush. Most of us do have your welfare at heart.

F.

[wilsontc]

lillybelle,

You said:
...As for the reading I got today it was pretty lousy. It didn't tell me anything I didn't know...It was a transit reading and she didn't even do a solar arc chart...I noticed her hand made chart had errors in it...

As Frisiangal mentioned, if the hand made chart had substantial errors (i.e., planets in the wrong houses, cusps of the chart incorrect, degrees of planets wrong, etc.) you should get a full refund. Go to astro.com and create your chart there. If the astro.com chart does not match your hand drawn chart, let the woman know and get your money back.

Also, make it clear to the astrologer when you SET the appointment exactly what you are looking for in an astrological reading and find out what their policy is on missed appointments. That way there are no surprises on the "backside" of the appointment. If you have very high expectations of the astrologer I'd suggest only going to the best (such as Noel Tyl)...you will pay a LOT of money, but you will get a LOT of information. Just make sure to be ontime, for the best astrologers will most likely NOT refund your deposit! ;)

Astrologizing,

Tim

[laliqueviolin]

Sorry to hear about this trip. I guess you know now what to expect as prerequisites? ;)

- Read their policy or fine prints
- Appointments should be thoroughly read. Keep the time right. We all make mistakes..
- I know a lot of astrologers online offer some type of sample reading. If this is available to you at hand, you might want to check up on how advanced or how cookbook the astrologer is.. or maybe you can make it known what you are looking for in a personal astrologer?


Spending $150 is a lot and I, too, would feel it is as stinging hurt if I had gotten something that little and unsatisfactory and paid in advance. However, maybe if you can calmly compromise on some sort of deal that would suit both parties? Maybe a half reading instead of a full?

If not, then consider this, if you will: Experiences come in all costly figures, small or large. As with disappointments, "don't go away mad, just go away!" :)

[lilllybelle]

Hey, Thank you all for letting me vent. I was pretty mad yesterday. I do think it might be useful to listen to the tape again when I am not so bruised from the event. I actually was hoping she would point out something to me in my transits that I had overlooked or at least a unique perspective or a ,good everything is going to be all right, just tough it out talk. I didn't get any of those things. The reading that I payed and agreed to was only supposed to address current transits. Seeing as how the reading didn't cover natal chart stuff or anything but transits I thought it would be a very accurate transit reading including progressions and my current solar arc chart I think my expectations were quite reasonable. I do have to say that most doctors offices call the day before to remind you of the appointment. That was what I was trying to get at. Though I've heard of doctors charging you if you miss an appointment, I think that is only if you miss a few appointments. Basically I've never heard of any doctor having as strict of a rule as this lady does. O.K. the point, in the future I need to read the fine print. I will also never get a reading by someone that I don't personally know unless it is someone whom I've read their books and adore like Jefferey Greene. The mistakes she made in my chart were small. She had some of my planets off by a degree which put some of the times she listed off by a week or so. This is from an astrologer who has built her claim to fame and her high prices on being accurate. I also agree that she has to make a living which is why I refused to take the chart for free and payed $75. O.K. I'm starting to feel like miss drama queen and I felt a little guilty for having to slug it out with other members of my spiritual community yesterday. I know that this was 99% percent my fault for getting my times mixed up, it just made me madder than a skinned cat that I had missed out on my opportunity for a reading and that she had such a strict policy. I'm going to chill out now. I promise. This all seems like the typical, getting things mixed up and getting overly upset about it, stuff that happens when mercury is retrograde. Lilllybelle

[Frisiangal]

[QUOTE]I actually was hoping she would point out something to me in my transits that I had overlooked or at least a unique perspective or a ,good everything is going to be all right, just tough it out talk. I didn't get any of those things. The reading that I payed and agreed to was only supposed to address current transits. Seeing as how the reading didn't cover natal chart stuff or anything but transits I thought it would be a very accurate transit reading including progressions and my current solar arc chart I think my expectations were quite reasonable.

$150 for a transit chart.:eek: Yikes; does she include the tape in a velvet-lined box? Are we talking US$?
Admittedly transits are what they are...just that....the planets as they are in the sky right now that influence your (non)action. Progressed charts are entirely different, based upon hypothetical movement, and cover a 3 year period.

I do have to say that most doctors offices call the day before to remind you of the appointment. That was what I was trying to get at. Though I've heard of doctors charging you if you miss an appointment, I think that is only if you miss a few appointments.

Not where I come from! The dental assistant used to, but with the cut back in health-related costs that's no longer a luxury. You simply get a bill within a few days!

I will also never get a reading by someone that I don't personally know unless it is someone whom I've read their books and adore like Jefferey Greene.

You'd probably pay the same price....but he would be worth it in the long run. ;)

The mistakes she made in my chart were small. She had some of my planets off by a degree which put some of the times she listed off by a week or so. This is from an astrologer who has built her claim to fame and her high prices on being accurate.

You need a to-the-day accuracy? I would think that nigh impossible, as it would mean looking at every transit from every possible effect in conjunction with the other ongoing transits and transiting Moon's significance. If the astrologer can do that, she IS good and I can understand her charges regarding the time necessary to do it.

This all seems like the typical, getting things mixed up and getting overly upset about it, stuff that happens when mercury is retrograde.

And does retrograde Mercury effect a natal planet in your chart ?
It's currently conjoining my NN.:confused:

F.

[lilllybelle]

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I didn't realise someone else had responded to the post I had made. No, mercury is not making any aspects to my chart right now. I'm just very mercurian. I'm a gemini with virgo rising. I sometimes get bent out shape when mercury stations retrograde. I'll get really ticked over things I would normally overlook. I like the way you broke my post down. That seems like something I would do. Maybe your a little mercurian too? I guess to clear up the coment I made about the degrees being off, she had my saturn at 12 degrees leo instead of 11. So that put the last phase of my saturn return off by a week and you know I'm ready for this saturn return to be over. Lilllybelle

[lilllybelle]

Oh and yes I do like to the day accuracy.Lilllybelle

[sara31tx]

Hey, Thank you all for letting me vent. I was pretty mad yesterday. I do think it might be useful to listen to the tape again when I am not so bruised from the event. I actually was hoping she would point out something to me in my transits that I had overlooked or at least a unique perspective or a ,good everything is going to be all right, just tough it out talk. I didn't get any of those things. The reading that I payed and agreed to was only supposed to address current transits. Seeing as how the reading didn't cover natal chart stuff or anything but transits I thought it would be a very accurate transit reading including progressions and my current solar arc chart I think my expectations were quite reasonable. I do have to say that most doctors offices call the day before to remind you of the appointment. That was what I was trying to get at. Though I've heard of doctors charging you if you miss an appointment, I think that is only if you miss a few appointments. Basically I've never heard of any doctor having as strict of a rule as this lady does. O.K. the point, in the future I need to read the fine print. I will also never get a reading by someone that I don't personally know unless it is someone whom I've read their books and adore like Jefferey Greene. The mistakes she made in my chart were small. She had some of my planets off by a degree which put some of the times she listed off by a week or so. This is from an astrologer who has built her claim to fame and her high prices on being accurate. I also agree that she has to make a living which is why I refused to take the chart for free and payed $75. O.K. I'm starting to feel like miss drama queen and I felt a little guilty for having to slug it out with other members of my spiritual community yesterday. I know that this was 99% percent my fault for getting my times mixed up, it just made me madder than a skinned cat that I had missed out on my opportunity for a reading and that she had such a strict policy. I'm going to chill out now. I promise. This all seems like the typical, getting things mixed up and getting overly upset about it, stuff that happens when mercury is retrograde. Lilllybelle I am curious, Did you get anything from the astrologer that you could not get for free off the internet. You are right about doctor's. They do not charge for missed appointments. Maybe if you miss like 3 in a row. 150 Dollars is steep. I was going to get a astrological reading done for about the same price. But I was told that the lady used a software to generate the chart and did not add her own input to it. I think that is crazy. She did not do anything except print some paper and wants 150 dollars for it. I think she basically reads the chart to you. I can read it myself, for free.