BioLife Plasma Services — Attraction in Casselberry

A couple of days ago I made an appointment online for my visit today. Having already donated at two other plasma centers in the area in addition to reading their website for what to expect, I came prepared. When I came into the center I waited in line and when it was my turn, I explained I'd made an apt but was running late and handed them my two forms of I.D. - a social security and a driver's license (with my current address).

The lady who attended me was friendly, took my documents, asked me if I had another form of ID so I gave her my green card, she did what I assumed to be logging my info into the comp. Moments later she asked when I had eaten last, I answered recently and she was elated to hear it and told the worker next to her, something along the lines of, "she ate recently AND shes got a linked account" (wasn't sure what that meant but it gave me the impression things were going along fine) finally she told me to sit and wait (she did not specify what the next steps would be). So I sat and waited. I occasionally checked the time and no one had come back to me for anything so finally after 30 minutes had gone by I went up, explained my situation and wanted to know if everything was fine.

I was followed up with something along the lines of, "I'm sorry you can not donate because your social security ID name doesn't match your other IDs". Aware of the mistake on my IDs but surprised, my initial internal reaction was, "Seriously? 3 bank accounts and 2 plasma centers later and THIS one wants to be give me trouble for this?" and my second thought was, "When did they reach this conclusive detail and why wasn't I immediately notified? How much longer would I have waited until someone FINALLY remembered to tell me, the girl at the front inspected all my IDs before telling me to wait". I didn't argue with her and agreed to wait for the manager.

When the manager came I'd already searched my wallet for another other form of ID that had my name as it was spelled on my social and found my insurance ID card. I thought I may as well try, but the manager said they needed some type of doc that could link the IDs, like a birth certificate. Unable to provide one I followed with the pointless argument that I had never had an issue with it before; pointless because again, a policy is a policy and who am I to expect them to make an exception.

The manager made the point that in THEORY since my social security name is spelled differently than my other IDs (aside from my insurance card) the ID's could be for two different people, and I agree. But why hadn't anyone told me about the discrepancy and thus my disqualification from donating? I told her I understood her policy but that I could have and SHOULD have been told in a more timely manner; sure, it had only been 30 minutes, that's not so bad, but 30 minutes because I went up there only to get a quick answer like as if the discrepancy had been caught and decided on and had just been neglected to be informed. THAT bothers me and quite frankly I felt the manager could have handled it a little better because even after I informed her I would not return and was bothered more by the fact that no one came and told me something that could have been resolved quickly, she kept regurgitating, "I'm sorry that's just our policy".

If an FDA policy regulation allegedly THAT strict, quoting the manager here, was really so important, why didn't the associates at the front desk catch it and inform me right then and there? Instead, I was offered a snack, water, told to wait and had to seek out the answer I finally got.

I didn't waste my whole morning there but I could have, in THEORY, right? It's quite a shame because the place seemed nice (hence 2 stars) and based of the positive ratings, most people have a good experience. I might have returned with a birth certificate another time to try again if the issue had been dealt with more appropriately. They may offer a great experience but maybe only as long as all your stuff is already in order and that just isn't...

Unprofessional, and dont bother trying to send a concern on their site when they reply to your review saying "We would like to speak to you directly".

*update after reading other reviews. If you have tattoo sleeves do not bother. You're turned away in a very unprofessional manner. Octapharma was okay with the tattoos, but this place makes you feel like you're defective.

I was advised that BOTH arms need to be available to stick for donations and since one arm is covered in tattoos they turned me away, but not before first parading me around the facility examining my arm to see if they could stick me...I didn't realize there was an audition. Confused I asked, "so you need to stick both my arms for each donation?" The nurse replied yes. The questionnaire determining donation eligibility only states that they cant be within the recent months no matter where they are. Nothing on the anatomical placement is mentioned as a possible deferment. And again, my left arm had perfectly visible veins that had no tattoo covering them. The tech that was one of a couple staff members being consulted over the seemingly trivial matter of my right arm being covered in tattoos said she was fine with it, but the nurse put his hands up and said maybe "other places" would take me.

** IF THIS IS STANDARD PROCEDURE THEN WHY WERE 3 PEOPLE CONSULTED AS IF THEY WERENT SURE?!

I felt so embarrassed when he did that ....and kinda judged. Its just a sleeve and not new so according to eligibility on there site that is okay. What if someone doesnt have good veins in one arm? Both my arms are easy sticks. Working in healthcare myself, this didnt seem correct and I saw this as pretty unprofessional. Decided that I would go to one of the "other places" (OCTAPHARMA) and there were no issues. They only needed one arm and laughed when I explained my recent experience at another donation facility. Not sure if thats a difference in equipment or policy, needing both arms? Biolife staff did not really elaborate on this for me so It was maybe a quick excuse to stop further inquiry and get me out of there? I wanted to ask more questions but it was getting busy, I was not going to argue, and I was just feeling embarrassed. I tried contacting them online about eligibility criteria and never heard back. So I left a review.

I was then advised to send in my concern on the biolife site after my original review and the matter would be looked into..but of course no one got back to me about the experience. I tried a couple times too. I really wanted clarification so I could understand because I personally felt the staff was unprofessional and I was wrongly turned away. But without anyone to correct me on my interpretation of the experience Im updating my review to stand by my...

After reading these reviews I was skeptical about coming here but I’m so glad I did. First of all, the app is quick and easy I highly recommend you to download it to sign up and register. At my first appointment I was greeted as soon as I walked in, very kind and professional staff. I told them I’m a first time donor and they walked me through on what to expect. My appointment was for 9:30am on a Monday.. that place was empty so i did not have to wait. NICOLE is very sweet and she took her time to explain everything to me, made me very comfortable which is important because I was very nervous. She registered me in the system, did some consent signing with my fingerprint and then off to check weight, a look at my arms for best veins, BP, and a finger stick. Unfortunately I did not qualify my first visit because my iron was too low that day and couldn’t move to the next process which was questionnaire in the computer and to see the nurse for a physical so I had to reschedule. The entire appointment went smoothly and I felt comfortable rescheduling. Came back on a Wednesday that same week at 9:30am. Did not wait long at all, was greeted by the kind staff right away and taken back to start where I left off.. they had me do the questionnaire first this time, this is basically a bunch of questions about your medical history and consent. Pretty simple and self explanatory. Nicole did my BP and finger stick etc and this time I passed, I did have a lot of peanut butter that morning to try and raise it lol it worked! Went to see the nurse for the physical part. She was sooo sweet! I can’t remember her name but she had braces. She explained the buddy bonus program to me, which if you don’t know at this location if you’re a first time donor you’ll get $700. She gave me card in which the money will be deposited into after each visit. The physical was quick and it’s just like going to your PCP. She gave me a complimentary water and snack to eat AFTER donating. Cannot eat or drink during donating. Last step is the donating part, I was given a colored tag which lets you know which station you’ll be going to. Nicole was the one who stuck me that day, she was gentle and FAST. No bruising. I would highly recommend to bring a jacket or a blanket it is cold in there!! The donating part only took 30min. I was in and out of that place in less than a hour. Got paid 10 min after I left my appointment. Please remember to eat a healthy breakfast and drink LOTS LOTS of water before and after donating, IT MATTERS. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. Will definitely continue to come here. Thank...