I took one of my cats in as he'd ben fighting and had a large abcess on his back, the vet said it would need an op as it was too large to lance. When I asked how much he said £75.

When I picked him up after the op I got a bill for £98

As the quote was £75 and nothing is in writing, I've signed nothing to say I'm going to pay anything, am I within my rights to refuse to pay the extra and only offer to pay the £75 I was quoted??

To be honest its not that it's costing nearly £100, just out of principle that they think they can just add extra's and increase the total bill that gets me.

I'm going down again in a moment as he needs to have the stiches out, we'll see what they say this time..

 

Can you get an itemised bill to see where the extra came in?

Maybe they took an additional X-Ray, or used more anaesthetic or just took longer than usual for the operation to complete, maybe there were complications that had to be sorted...?

 

Agree with Mice. Also, if the vet is any good, I'd be loath to upset 'em. Don't know about your way, but round here, good vets are worth their weight.
Edited to add: SOME vets seem to bill you according to what they think you can afford? IMHO.
Try going in to pay in old clothes etc, and DON'T drive a Scooby :

[Edited by alcazar - 9/27/2002 6:38:30 PM]

 

What your vet gave you was an ESTIMATED cost verbally, ALL QUOTATIONS must be in writing and if this had been the case here he could not have charged you anymore than the quoted price, I agree with Alcazar. Pay the bill dont you just love that *****!!!

only a few gallons of fuel think about it against your cat feeling great

Cheers

 

Well, stiches are out, and I questioned the bill again.

They said estimates are not quotes and are subject to change.
The vet that gave me the "estimate" is on holiday, so meantime I agreed to pay £85 while they decide if I need to also be charged the extra...Hardly worth the agro I think.

I'm not a tight sod, honest just think that vets rip people off as they know how attached people get to their pets and exploit this.

Bit like tuning companies charging over the odds to people attached to their cars I spose

 

Think yourself lucky mate I just paid my vet £390.73 after my cat went into urinary retention and had a 9 day stay with the vet.