To be pi**ed off with the vet and think I'm being ripped off

[Mindfullness]

Saw the vet on Saturday with my dog. They found a lump and took a Biopsy and blood test. I paid the bill (over £200) and thought no more of it. Tonight I get a call to say they had under charged me as part of the treatment wasn't added so I need to pay another £50. They were so blase about it too :(I am so annoyed and not sure where I stand legally? Anyone have any advice please? X

I doubt the practice has legal recourse as they were the ones who misquoted the medical costs and invoiced her £200 for their services initially. Whilst OP has indeed used the services, the vet has retrospectively changed the contract by asking for additional funds than originally agreed in the initial contract. This may have been a genuine error by the practice, but companies can’t just give you a full quote for £X amount, allow you to pay, then invoice you demanding more money afterwards. It’s not like this was a clear pricing error either.

If you’re in a financial difficulty, let them know? Perhaps they could arrange a payment plan or allow you to pay next month etc.

My vets seem to do this frequently. what's more annoying is they they ask me to pay it there and there over the phone as all payment should be made before I leave, as if it was my fault!

This is what insurance is for... 🙄

I would definitely recommend PetPlan. And £250 doesn’t sound too steep to me, I’m afraid.

When our dog ruptured the cruciate ligaments in both knees, and needed orthopaedic surgery to correct that, followed by a further orthopaedic op when she dislocated her kneecap, and a gastric ulcer caused by the pain meds for the dislocation - all within one year - her total bill for all the surgeries plus all the consultations, x-rays, vet hospital stays and drugs came to just over £10,000! And PetPlan paid it without all a murmur, apart from the special food she needed after the ulcer (and frankly we didn’t mind that, given how much they had shelled out).

1. 20% of all vet bills is VAT so blame the government for it being unaffordable.
2. No responsible pet owner fails to obtain insurance these days (or opts for a specific pet savings account).

The vet forgot to price something onto the system.

They were probably thinking about your pet at that time and what they could do to make your pet better. They would have had samples to label up and send. Medication to check ?? and then do clinical notes.
Have you never forgotten something before?
Not ideal no... an apology for the error yes. But also a little understanding that vets are under immense pressure and don't get the huge wage considering their role you would think.

I think the fact that it's a sick dog and vets are expensive us irrelevant. What if it was a garage that charged her £200 for repairs the called her after asking for another £50? Or a builder who charged £200 to fix the roof the demanded another £50 because they made a mistake calculateing the bill?

You usually sign to give permission for procedures, which should list what is being done, may also be an estimate of costs on it.

Do you have a piece of paper with your signature on it and if so does it match with what they said they were charging for?

Having just paid £1,500 to a vet for an overnight stay and treatment, ending in euthanasia I would love to change places with you OP. I know I was ripped off but was exhausted after many weeks of vets and hospitals and wanted the best care I could get. And yes, there had been insurance but it ran out before pet came to us.

I hope your little guy will be OK.