The most common trick in payment deposit scams for medical aesthetics in South Korea is to lure you into making a reservation with the low price of an “all-inclusive package.” However, the actual dosage of treatments and the version of equipment included in the package often don’t match what was quoted separately. Only when you arrive at the clinic do they tell you that “this dosage isn’t enough; you need to pay extra to achieve the desired results,” effectively making the total cost higher than what you originally thought the package would cost.

“A fixed all-in price” sounds very reassuring, as you don’t have to calculate each item separately. But this sense of comfort can sometimes turn out to be exactly the trap — because without examining what’s included in detail, it’s hard to tell if what’s “included” truly meets your needs.

Price transparency in international medical tourism has always been a key point emphasized in traveler safety guidelines. Comparing the breakdown of the package price with the individual treatment costs before departure is the most effective way to protect oneself.

The package seems cheap, but where’s the real savings?

Package quotes usually combine several treatments into a single total amount, without listing the price of each item individually, making it difficult to determine which services are truly worth the cost and which are just “filler items” used to inflate the package. A safer approach is to ask them to provide the price for each item separately, so you can check those figures against market rates.

The gray area around refunding deposits

Many people don’t read the refund terms carefully when paying the deposit. Only after going for a consultation in person and realizing it doesn’t meet their expectations do they discover fine print such as “deposits are non-refundable” or “they can only be exchanged for other treatments.” Before heading out, make sure to ask clearly: If you decide not to proceed after the consultation, will the deposit be fully refunded? How long will it take to get the refund? It’s best to put these questions in writing rather than relying solely on verbal agreements.

The trick of asking you to add extra services only during the in-person consultation

By the time you go for an in-person consultation, you’ve already paid a deposit and booked your flight and hotel. If you’re then told that “your case requires additional treatment XX to be effective,” many people tend to compromise psychologically because the cost of backing out is too high. This is what’s known as the “sunk cost effect.” Agents and some clinics are well aware of this psychological tendency and deliberately wait until there’s no way for you to back out before pushing additional treatments on you.

How to Protect Yourself

Before you go, ask them to confirm in writing (via WhatsApp or email) everything about the package, prices, and refund terms—don’t rely solely on verbal promises. If you’re offered additional services during the consultation, you can say, “Let me go back to my hotel and think it over first,” rather than making a decision on the spot. A legitimate clinic that truly cares about your interests won’t rush you into making an immediate decision.

Things people ask all the time

Is it normal to require full payment before scheduling a in-person consultation?
That’s not quite normal. A more reasonable approach is to require a small deposit to secure the appointment, with the remaining amount paid after the in-person consultation to confirm the details of the treatment.

How do you know if the device version included in the package is genuine?
You can directly ask the clinic for the brand and model of the equipment, then check online to confirm whether it’s an authentic original product. If anything is unclear, you need to be extra cautious.

Is adding extra services during a in-person consultation always a way to overcharge?
Not necessarily. Sometimes, after evaluation, doctors do find that the original plan isn’t sufficient. But what really matters is whether they give you enough time to think it through, rather than pressuring you to make a decision on the spot.

Can I book each item separately? Can’t I just buy a package?
Sure. Booking each service individually might be a bit more hassle, but it offers much greater price transparency—perfect for those who want to carefully plan where every penny goes.

What’s DAN-A’s pricing method in Myeongdong?
During the in-person consultation, we’ll explain each part of the treatment process and its corresponding price in detail. We won’t push you to make a decision on the spot with a fixed package price, giving you time to think it through carefully.

If you want to know what other warning signs to watch out for, take a look.Must-Know Tips to Avoid Pitfalls in South Korea’s Cosmetology Industry: 5 Red Flags You Need to Know; If you want to understand how agency commissions work, feel free to check it out.How many traps are there in South Korea’s medical beauty agencies? The schemes that make things seem cheap but end up costing you money; you can also take a lookWhat to Do if Something Goes Wrong with Medical Aesthetics in South Korea? 5 Essential Safety Measures for Overseas Patients Seeking Beauty TreatmentsFor transparency in pricing and self-protection strategies in international medical tourism, you can refer to these resourcesU.S. CDC Official Guidelines on “Medical Tourism”。