I want to retract some statements, if I may!

sammie5 · Jul 8, 2005

I can see why a vet would want to be paid in full, they have my sympathy in not wanting to be stiffed for accounts. I admire the vets who are in a position to give care without worrying about payment.

But the real issue here, the vet changed policy, apparently without notice. That doesn't seem fair. When my dry cleaner started getting too many NSF cheques, she changed her policy too. No payment by cheque. Unless you were a customer who had been paying that way, then it was fine. So the policy only applied to new customers. Surely the vet could have done something like that.

pat · Jul 8, 2005

Originally Posted by KittenKrazy

Linda, that's the fun part, being in business myself, I understand far more than most....BUT for me, would it have been too much to send out a postcard (like they do for reminders on vaccinations) stating the policy change when it came about? I think not, lol! And the rudeness......I think that's what really nipped me off more than anything.

But this, imho, hasn't been handled in a good business way. You need to recognize the difference between a first time customer, and a loyal repeat customer with an *excellent* track record of always paying per the terms you allowed, when changing your policies.

If you are going to change your policies, you notify folks...politely, and you consider making expceptions for your loyal repeat customers. There are a lot of vets out there...this was poor business imo.

Just my 2 cents.

KittenKrazy · Jul 8, 2005

Thanks, Sammie, and Pat.....see to me that's more of the point, the way it was all handled...oh, and FWIW, the only reason I had a balance in the first place was because I left my checkbook at home, and one of the kits was due for neutering the next week, so the two bills were supposed to be combined.....but someone didn't and it didn't get paid!

beckiboo · Jul 8, 2005

And for the vet to refuse care to a long term customer with an animal who is being treated for a chronic illness? That is so wrong.

Cindy, I think you should call and talk to the office manager. One irritable receptionist may be ruining a good business. I highly doubt the vet is away that you were treated poorly, and he or she deserves to know, even if you do change vets.

KittenKrazy · Jul 8, 2005

Originally Posted by Beckiboo

And for the vet to refuse care to a long term customer with an animal who is being treated for a chronic illness? That is so wrong.

Cindy, I think you should call and talk to the office manager. One irritable receptionist may be ruining a good business. I highly doubt the vet is away that you were treated poorly, and he or she deserves to know, even if you do change vets.

Thats one of the things that hurt me so badly this morning...we've used this vet since I was about, oh, 15 or so...and the office manager is the receptionist..has been for years.....it's not like she's new, or I'm new......sigh.

tari · Jul 8, 2005

I agree that a vet has the right to get paid, but I also agree that this situation was handled very poorly. It seems to me that they should have somehow notified their customers of a change in policy, especially if they were going to refuse treatment because of it. It also seems like any arrangements that had been made prior to their change in policy should have been honored!

rosehawke · Jul 8, 2005

At LEAST some sort of sign in the reception area! And the bills not being combined like they were supposed to be ...

. Unfortunately I'm getting so cynical in my "old age"

that I expect things like this to happen; when things are actually handled correctly I'm surprised!

But being rude with you

... especially an established customer. I agree, definitely let them know why you're going elsewhere in future.

Cindy

wellingtoncats · Jul 8, 2005

Aw Cinds...that's not nice. We pay off our vets too because it's true we are not millionares and they are so good with it - but if they did that to us and one day I went in there with a sick kitten and they said "No sorry you owe $50 already" then I'd have to let them go. Even IF our vet is one of our best friends, which she is.

Hugs to you Cindy. I know just where you are coming from.

valanhb · Jul 8, 2005

As has been said, the professionalism, or lack thereof, is the killer in the deal. I'm sure if the receptionist had handled it differently, Cindy wouldn't be so upset.

Here's the thing, regarding being able to afford vet treatment and vets having payment plans: Most all of us have down financial times. Even if there was more than enough money set aside when the pet was aquired, one bad incident (period of unemployment, major medical issue, major family issue) can drain the savings, max out the credit cards, even take all of the nest egg. Financial situations change over the course of a pet's lifetime. It just happens. I have no doubt that any of us here would do ANYTHING necessary to pay for proper care for our cats, but sometimes it is harder than other times.

The other thing is, my doctor lets me pay my bills over time (I have yet to meet the deductible on my insurance, so it's all been out of pocket), I don't understand why vets can't do the same thing. It is medical care either way. The difference is that probably over 95% of the pets don't have insurance and it all has to come out of pocket. Vets do run a business, and they should get paid for their services, but they need be smarter about it. Making full payment due at the time of service, to the point of holding pets hostage until payment is received (see thread in IMO), only serves to make people less responsible than Cindy reluctant to seek veterinary care for their pets.

lionessrampant · Jul 8, 2005

Originally Posted by Yosemite

I feel bad for you Cindy, but I'm trying to see both sides here.

This vet has paid a lot of money to get his education and degree. It sounds as though he tried to be fair and ended up still not getting paid for many of his services and has decided if you can't pay go somewhere else. I love animals too, but I certainly could not afford to pay rent, pay for supplies, drugs, and staff to run a clinic if I weren't being paid for my services.

Although he is a vet (supposedly loves animals), he is also in BUSINESS, has student loans to pay off if he is a recent graduate or a family to clothe, educate and feed if he is older, and that means he can't afford to work for free.

Would you work for someone who couldn't afford to pay you? Or would you tell them you have rent to pay, food to buy, etc. and couldn't afford to work for free.

My father is a human doctor and has these same problems, only magnified about a thousand times over because malpractice insurance requirments and having to deal with insurance comapnies that never seem to want to do as they say they will.

Yet, at the same time, he is always willing to work with patients through a thrid party called CareCredit, which a lot of vets in my area also use. That way, he doesn't have to risk not being able to send my siblings and I to school and can still work with people who need financial considerations, which considering the rising costs of running a medical practice, is most of us.

jcat · Jul 8, 2005

Originally Posted by valanhb

As has been said, the professionalism, or lack thereof, is the killer in the deal. I'm sure if the receptionist had handled it differently, Cindy wouldn't be so upset.

Here's the thing, regarding being able to afford vet treatment and vets having payment plans: Most all of us have down financial times. Even if there was more than enough money set aside when the pet was acquired, one bad incident (period of unemployment, major medical issue, major family issue) can drain the savings, max out the credit cards, even take all of the nest egg. Financial situations change over the course of a pet's lifetime. It just happens. I have no doubt that any of us here would do ANYTHING necessary to pay for proper care for our cats, but sometimes it is harder than other times.

The other thing is, my doctor lets me pay my bills over time (I have yet to meet the deductible on my insurance, so it's all been out of pocket), I don't understand why vets can't do the same thing. It is medical care either way. The difference is that probably over 95% of the pets don't have insurance and it all has to come out of pocket. Vets do run a business, and they should get paid for their services, but they need be smarter about it. Making full payment due at the time of service, to the point of holding pets hostage until payment is received (see thread in IMO), only serves to make people less responsible than Cindy reluctant to seek veterinary care for their pets.

Cindy, I had a similar experience when I took Jamie to the vets' for the first time six years ago. I'd been going to the same vet since the early eighties, and had just had Straycat (RIP) in for some dental work about two months before. I'd always gotten a bill, and then transferred the money. I got no notice that the "terms of payment" had changed, nor was there any sign in the office area or waiting room, so I was rather shocked when the receptionist demanded the equivalent of about $120 in cash. By luck, I had $100 on me, and told her I'd drive home (10 minutes), drop off Jamie, and bring the rest right back. Since Jamie needed further shots, she told me to just bring it the next time.
While I understood why they changed their policy, I was a bit miffed that I hadn't been informed of the change. At the very least, they could have had signs saying, "As of (date), all payments must be in full and in cash!" up in advance.

dawnofsierra · Jul 8, 2005

Oh, how infuriating, Cindy!

Shame on these Vets! It would be one thing to inforce this rule for a first time client, but this is absolutely a shame that they would treat you, a long time, reliable client who is obviously a loving kitty Mommy, in such a manner! You have always paid your bills..always!They should be ashamed of themselves!

I say it is noones loss but their own! A true caring Vet would put the kitty's health ahead of everything, and once word gets out, as it so quickly does in a town such as yours, they will be the ones to suffer in their loss of business! I'm so sorry they chose to treat you, and even moreso, Tiggy, in such a manner.

I want to retract some statements, if I may!

sammie5

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pat

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KittenKrazy

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beckiboo

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KittenKrazy

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tari

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rosehawke

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wellingtoncats

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valanhb

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lionessrampant

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jcat

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dawnofsierra

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